Owens Corning (OC) is currently building a new 550,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas, that will replace the existing plant the company built in 1984.

The estimated $115 million project is expected to begin production in mid-2023 and will house the widest and fastest nonwoven glass mat machine in the world.

OC has commissioned Voith to supply the production machinery, Papermaking 4.0 solutions and components for the new manufacturing facility, which will produce mat for roofing shingles and other nonwoven products.

The centerpiece will be an over five metres wide HydroFormer inclined wire former enabling the homogenous formation of long glass fibres up to 40mm with very low stock consistencies. Essential to the expansion project is the Voith FiberDry, a glass mat dryer with a flexible modular design.

For Owens Corning, sustainability and efficiency were key factors when deciding on the individual components. Voith will also supply two IntensaPulper machines that set industry standards in pulping with their energy-efficient technology. In addition, a comprehensive Papermaking 4.0 and automation package is designed to increase efficiency, product quality and machine availability and integrates all third-party suppliers into the Voith control and condition monitoring systems.

www.owenscorning.com

www.voith.com