Bostik, the adhesives arm of French materials firm Arkema SA, has begun operating a new multilayer blown film line in Petersburg, Va., that it said will simplify logistics and cut lead times for U.S. customers.

The line can produce one- to five-layer film up to 160 inches wide and 250 micrometers thick. The high-performance films are based on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin, polyester, polyamide and thermoplastic urethanes. They allow for bonding of dissimilar substrates and incorporation of barriers, such as for waterproofing.

Bostik gained the Petersburg site in its 2019 acquisition of Prochimir SAS, a thermobonding adhesive films maker based in Pouzauges, in west-central France.

Colombes, France-based Arkema acquired Bostik in 2015. Bostik, also based in Colombes, employs 6,000 people worldwide. Bostik makes industrial adhesives including bonding materials for automotive interiors and exteriors, labels and medical and food packaging. It serves the building and construction, industrial, consumer and trade markets.

Bostik reported 2019 sales of 2.1 billion euros ($2.48 billion at the present-day exchange rate.)