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So.F.teR’s new US plant has begun production and is about to be expanded
Bergen expands capacity
So.F.teR starts up US plant
So.F.teR has begun production of engineering plastics at its new compounding plant in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA. The production site has an initial annual capacity of 50 million lbs/year (23,000 tonnes/year). In 2015, the second stage of the project will double manufacturing capacity and will add TPE production. The Italian-headquartered
company has invested US$20.0 million in this initial phase, creating a 9,300 m2 the 85,000 m2
factory on site. The long
term vision is to expand facilities up to 23,000 m2
with a
total capacity of 200 million lbs/year (90,000 tonnes/year) and 200 employees. The plant’s specification
follows the technical standards implemented at the company’s existing compounding facilities in Italy, Mexico and Brazil. It
features a highly efficient layout of the production lines and the latest generation extruders.
In addition to producing a
wide range of compounds, the So.F.teR US facility will also provide customers with a full range of engineering services including Moldflow analysis, 3D modelling, finite element modelling, and ANSYS stress analysis. So.F.teR’s comprehensive
product portfolio includes 18 basic resins, ranging from engineering plastics to thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic vulcanizates. The privately held group specializes in the automotive, appliance, construction, electrical/electronics, footwear and sports industries. “So.F.teR’s commercial
strategy has always favoured a
‘tailor-made’ approach aimed at providing each customer with flexible and customized solutions,” said Riccardo Meucci, the Group’s global commercial director. “This formula is the basis for success of the company that now exports to 60 countries and has tripled its sales since 2008, despite the global economic challenges”. Keith Rodden, president of
So.F.teR USA added: “The breadth of So.F.teR’s product line, consistent private ownership and strategic focus on our customers’ needs differentiate us from many of our competitors. We offer the strength and capabilities of the largest companies in our industry but with the focus and customer service typical of a local supplier.” ❙
www.softergroup.com
Lifocolor plans Czech expansion
German masterbatch maker Lifocolor Farben is investing €4 million in a new 2,000 tonnes/year plant in Brno in the Czech Republic. The investment is being made via its existing Czech subsidiary
and the facility will be located in the Cernovická Terasa industrial zone. The new capacity is due on stream in the first half of 2015 and the plant will be equipped to produce batch sizes of 1-5,000 kg. It will work in cooperation with Lifocolor’s plants in Germany, Poland and France to deliver local production of identical formulations. ❙
www.lifocolor.com
www.compoundingworld.com
Lifocolor’s new Czech plant is due
to be completed next year November 2014 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 5
Bergen International has added a new manufacturing facility for chemical foaming agents at Elgin, Illinois, USA. The 45,000 ft2 (4,200 m2
) building doubles
the company’s production and shipping capacity for its Foamazol additives. The new facility includes
a new extrusion line with updated materials handling equipment. It also houses a state-of-the-art laboratory facility.
Chief financial officer,
Richard Long said: “This new facility, combined with additional shipping and receiving personnel will ensure that we are able to meet the increased demand for our Foamazol, Foamazol XO and Foamazol XOP chemical foaming agent products.” Foamazol foaming
agents are available in endothermic, exothermic and endo/exo blends and they can be supplied as masterbatches or powders. ❙
www.bergeninternational.com
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