German chemicals company Henkel has opened a new manufacturing facility dedicated to aerospace products, near Barcelona.
Henkel describes the site in Montornes del Valles as its "European hub for the aerospace industry" and has pledged to expand its activities in the sector.
The Dusseldorf-headquartered group has been supplying aircraft manufacturers and equipment suppliers with structural adhesives and surface treatments for more than 40 years, and notes increased demand for "high-performance solutions" as airframers look to cut weight and expand production automation.
"Aerospace is a very attractive growth market for us, because the global demand for new passenger aircraft is expected to double over the next 20 years," states Henkel Adhesive Technologies president Jan-Dirk Auris.
The new facility – a €35 million ($39 million) investment – is located close to an existing Henkel adhesives production site.