Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilisers, undertakes plant restructuring measures aimed at optimising production in Brazil.

Borealis has strengthened its market position in Brazil by way of a EUR45 million investment in its Itatiba production facilities located near Sao Paulo. Borealis said that doing so will enable them to better capitalise on long-term growth opportunities in Brazil and the South American market by transferring production from its second plant in Triunfo to the newly upgraded and expanded Itatiba, a move scheduled for early 2015.

Borealis is stepping up its efforts in South America to meet increased market demand, in particular from leading automotive manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs); it also aims to pursue more vigorously new opportunities in pioneering, value-added applications in both the automotive and appliance industries. The Itatiba investment is a key component of the long-term Borealis growth strategy and has involved the construction of an additional production building, state-of-the-art polypropylene (PP) compounding extruders, blending and raw material silos, warehouse facilities and a bagging line. In addition, extensive upgrading of utility and water systems has been carried out. With construction nearing completion, the commissioning and start-up plan has already commenced. The expanded and modernised facility is scheduled to be fully on stream by the end of the fourth quarter of 2014. Its output will increase annual production volumes of high-performance, high-quality PP compounds in Brazil.