Masterbatch and speciality compounds manufacturer Colloids (Knowsley, Merseyside / UK; www.colloids.co.uk) is adding three twin screw compounding lines at its Knowsley plant to add capacity and flexibility to its operations. The extra capacity reflects an influx of additional business from new sales and products under development. “Colloids has seen significant growth in business,” says managing director Russell Livesey, “and as part of an international masterbatch group we have to ensure that the resources are in place to meet the changing needs of our customers.”

Complementing the additional manufacturing machinery are three further members of staff. Anna Barkerjoins as technical development manager to work alongside Roger Storey on new product development. Two new sales managers are James Rowe, to serve the south of the UK, and Kevin Cloke for north UK. Rowe joins from Gabriel Chemie and Cloke from Americhem.

Colloids is part of the Tosaf group (Afula / Israel; www.tosaf.com), which has nine masterbatch and compounding plants in Europe and Israel.