Processing Technologies International LLC (PTi) has announced a $10 million plant expansion at its Aurora, IL, headquarters in response to growing demand for its sheet extrusion equipment. The company will add 40,000 square feet of space, nearly doubling its net manufacturing capacity, while increasing office space to 20,000 square feet.

“Our strong sales are driving this expansion need,” says Dana Hanson, PTi president. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve enjoyed a steady rise in business volume, and this appears to be the trend for the foreseeable future.”

An integral part of the expansion is a 15,000-square-foot Technology Development Center that will be dedicated to product development and process trials for customers on production-scale systems. This space will accommodate up to three different systems including the patented High-Vacuum Twin-Screw Extruder (HVTSE) dryer-less technology, a conventional multilayer (barrier) system, and a third system with newly patented sheet extrusion technology that will be released soon. All demonstration systems will feature winders for producing roll stock.

Groundbreaking is slated for March 2016, and the new space is expected to be fully operational by October 2016. PTi is currently working with local municipalities regarding tax incentives and expects to announce new hiring soon in connection with the expansion. PTi’s current facility occupies 60,000 square feet of space and employs 80 people.