US-based compounder A. Schulman has expanded its existing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) compounding capacity by adding a new production line at the Bornem masterbatch plant in Belgium.
"The additional PET capacity will reinforce our leading market position as a masterbatch provider for the European food packaging and BoPET film markets," said Heinrich Lingnau, Vice-President and General Manager Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), A. Schulman. "This investment is indeed aligned with current megatrends and addresses the needs of the packaging market."
"Coupled with our extensive technical and market knowledge as well as the existing polystyrene and polyolefin offering, this investment will enable us to meet our customers' growing demand for customized food packaging solutions," added Frank Roederer, Business Unit Director Masterbatch, EMEA.
The added PET product, which is commercialised under the name of PolyPet, will significantly increase the company's PET yearly production capacity. In the first phase, the new line will be dedicated primarily to the production of additive concentrates and white PET masterbatch.
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company employs approximately 3,900 people and has 42 manufacturing facilities globally. A. Schulman reported net sales of approximately US$2.5 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.
(PRA)
