Bakelite AG (PO Box 7154, D-58609 Iserlohn), which forms part of the Rütgers group, has acquired a majority shareholding in the Italian company Taroplast SpA (Strada Diolo 57/A, I-43019 Soragna, PR) via its subsidiary Bakelite Italia SpA (Via Mazzini 104, I-21058 Solbiate Olona, VA). Taroplast is a thermoplastics compounder (polycarbonate, ABS, polyamide, PBT, PET, PP) with sales of some DEM 30m (1997). Bakelite, which achieved sales of around DEM 700m in 1997, is rounding off its range of thermoset moulding compounds with this latest commitment in Italy. As announced by the company, "the move into the market for engineering thermoplastics has put Bakelite in a position to supply customers and a large number of key customers in the electrical and electronics industries, the automotive sector and the household appliance industry with selective problem solutions for a wide range of applications, employing both thermoset and thermoplastic moulding compounds."

Taroplast products will continue to be manufactured at the present plant in Soragna, near Parma, with all former staff being retained. Management remains in the hands of the owner to date, Dr. Squeri.