NEWS Hexpol to close US production site


Swedish compounding group Hexpol says it plans to shutter its production site in Kennedale, Texas, US, by the end of Q2 2025 and relocate all business to its other North American facilities. The company says the changes are designed to improve efficiency in its operations and it will work closely with


EU bans BPA in food contact


Following a positive vote by EU Member States and a scrutiny period by the Council and the European Parliament, the EU Com- mission has opted to ban the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials due to its “potentially harmful health impact”. BPA is used in the production of polycarbon- ate and other resins. The ban means BPA will not be allowed in products that come into contact with food or drink, such as the coating on metal cans, reusable plastic drink bottles, water coolers, and other kitchenware, and takes into account the latest scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA concluded that


BPA, which is already banned in the EU for infant bottles, had potentially harmful effects on the immune system. For most products,


there will be an 18-month phase-out period. � www.efsa.europa.eu


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customers to ensure a seamless transition. Hexpol has also sold its production site in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to private investment firm Karo Ventures with immediate effect. The site manufactured products outside of Hexpol’s core business and had an annual turnover of around $7m with a


profitability level below the target of the Hexpol Group, it said. “These decisions are in line with our business model to focus on our core business, to optimise our efficiency and support our customers most effectively,” said Klas Dahlberg, President and CEO, Hexpol Group. �www.hexpol.com


Lati compound selected by food industry supplier


German conveyor belt manufacturer Forbo Movement Systems has selected Lati’s detectable compound for its high-per- formance food industry solutions. In a press release, Lati said achieving a solution that met the stringent requirements of the food industry was “no easy feat,” with the challenge laying in developing a compound with the required magnetic detectability for plastic parts, a critical feature for ensuring safety and preventing contamination. The required level of magnetic detectability was eventually achieved, and the


material offers a host of other benefits applicable to the food industry, including enhanced durability, resistance to chemicals and mechanical stress, compli- ance with food safety regulations, and a high visibility blue colour standard which adheres to


the industry’s widely accepted practices. In 2025, Lati is celebrat- ing the 80th anniversary of its founding. The Italian company has been certified as a Historical Brand of National Interest. � www.forbo.com/movement �www.lati.com


French recycling approval


The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €500m French scheme to support investments for the chemi- cal recycling of certain types of plastic waste such as trays, films, non-beverage bottles, and textile materials with a certain amount of


COMPOUNDING WORLD | January/February 2025


polyester content. The scheme will contrib- ute to the EU’s objective of circularity of production and consumption processes as part of a broader shift towards climate neutrality. The Commission has deemed the scheme “necessary and appropriate”


to allow for the deployment of chemical recycling of plastics. The Commission said the new scheme is expected to have an incentive effect as the beneficiaries would not carry out the relevant invest- ments without public support. � https://commission.europa.eu


www.compoundingworld.com


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