Barlo Plastics Europe N.V. (Leukaard 1, B-2440 Geel) is aiming to intensify its relatively recent involvement in the European market for transparent plastics sheet with a number of new acquisitions. Managing Director Andre De Smet recently explained at a press conference in Germany (Barlo Plastics GmbH, Gaßnerallee 40, D-55120 Mainz; formerly Resart GmbH) the strategic concept of his company, and also presented the provisional business results for 1998/99 (31.3.).Barlo Plastics is part of Barlo Group plc (Dublin/Ireland), which is listed on the stock exchange. For 1998/99, the Group posted provisional sales of around EUR 241m, with just under half of total sales coming from the radiators business group. Barlo Plastics was reformed in 1998 and had sales in 1998/99 of approx. EUR 126m. The company has production sites in Belgium, Germany, the UK, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain and, since February, in France (see PIE No 05, 1999). Barlo already sees itself as the biggest independent (i.e. not belonging to any chemical company) extruder of plastics sheet in Europe. This independence, combined with its broad materials and product portfolio, was one of the key points in Barlo´s success strategy, said De Smet. He sees the growth target for the Group as a doubling of sales in the next three years.Barlo Plastics produces a total of 38,000 t/y extruded products, 5,800 t/y cast sheet and 26,000 t/y “Lucryl” moulding compound (PMMA granules, still marketed by BASF). Barlo uses around half the Lucryl for captive production. According to Wilfried Bernard, Product Manager for polycarbonate at Barlo Plastics GmbH, Mainz, the production volumes break down as follows: cast PMMA sheet (“Barlo Cast”) 17%, extruded PMMA (“Barlo XT”) 40%, solid PC sheet 10%, multiwall PC sheet 5%, SAN 6%, PS 17%, PET (“Barlo Vectan”) 5%.Barlo Plastics GmbH in Mainz is specialised in the production of XT products for shop-fitting, interior furnishings, traffic signs and building construction, and in the production of PC sheet for safety glass, galleries, light domes and industrial building. It has a production capacity of 24,000 t/y.