The European compound market is on the move. The most recent example is the takeover of Th. Bergmann GmbH & Co Kunststoffwerk (Ringstr 1, D-76571 Gaggenau) by the American M.A. Hanna Company (Cleveland, Ohio). The Americans also acquired Bergmann's Spanish subsidiary, Polibasa (E-Barbastro). Bergmann claims that it is one of the largest German manufacturers of "technically demanding, speciality engineering plastic compounds" with 1993 turnover exceeding DM 65m. The Gaggenau plant employs 90, with another 50 in Spain. With plants for plastic and rubber compounds, resins and colour masterbatch and its DM 2.4bn turnover, M.A. Hanna is one of the largest North American manufacturers.
Bergmann is the most recent in a series of acquisitions by Hanna. Masterbatch manufacturers Synthecolor in France and Wilson Color in Belgium have been acquired during the past few years. Bergmann's management team will be retained and the company will be developed as the core of Hanna's new European engineering thermoplastics business area.

Bergmann supplies special compounds, mostly based on PA 6 and 66, to the motor and electronic industries. The product range includes the engineering plastic compounds "Bergamid" (PA 6, 66), "Bergaflex" (TPE), "Bergadur" (PBT), "Bergaprop" (PP), and "Bergacell" (cellulose acetate). Bergmann are investing aggressively: new production buildings with state of the art manufacturing equipment, materials handling equipment and a laboratory extension have been installed in 1993/4.

READER SERVICE: Bergmann: Company profile brochures "Technische Thermoplaste für die Spritzgußindustrie" (German): PIE-No. 36448 - "Polymeres Techniques pour l'Injection" (French): PIE-No. 36449.