Responding to the growing demand for fuel tanks that meet increasingly stringent clean air standards, Walbro is once again expanding its global multilayer fuel tank production capabilities. A fifth co-extrusion blow molding machine will be in production by the end of June 2014 at the Cass City, MI facility to support this growth.
The continued success of Walbro’s fuel tank designs in lawn and garden, recreational and marine products is based on the use of multilayer co-extrusion technology. The non-metallic tank’s six-layer construction includes a vapor barrier that effectively contains hydrocarbon emissions, allowing it to meet stringent evaporative emissions standards. This technology continues to be one of the most cost effective and durable solutions available, especially considering useful life requirements and the increasing use of ethanol in our base fuels.
In fact, the effectiveness, production repeatability and durability of multi-layer tank technology allows US EPA tank family certification and the California ARB waives extensive, costly tank testing requirements for manufacturers that use Walbro multilayer fuel tanks in their products.
As a result of these multilayer fuel tank advantages, the demand for this technology continues to grow. Walbro expects to produce approximately two million tanks in 2014 with a production forecast of two and a half million tanks in 2015, and over three million tanks in 2016.
“Walbro is committed to support our customers. We continue to add to our multilayer fuel tank capacity to meet this growing market demand,” says Tony Martin, Walbro President and Chief Executive Officer. “We now have six machines globally and are positioned for further investment to meet the stringent EPA evaporative regulations currently in place and as these requirements expand worldwide into the future,” adds Martin.