The Belgian producer of industrial films, biologically degradable packaging and domestic refuse bags Fardis NV (B-2340 Beerse; www.fardis.org) stepped up its sales by 55%, to EUR 102.3m, in 2000. The EBIT rose to EUR 4.75m (1999: EUR 2.54m). For the second time running, this young company has now achieved above-average growth rates based predominantly on external growth.

Fardis came into being in 1996 through an MBO at the Dutch chemical and plastics group DSM (NL-6130AA Sittard; www.dsm.com). The PE film producer was known as Fardem during the time it belonged to DSM. In 1998, Fardis acquired the bankrupt Belgian film producer Spruyt and installed the new company headquarters at its production facility in Beerse. In 1999 came the acquisition of two further Belgian film producers, Phoenix Plastics NV (B-9000 Gent) and Hobon Plastics NV (B-9950 Waarschoot), both from the packaging sector. Fardis was able to expand its know- how and product portfolio through joint ventures with Segers Balcaen (B-1779 Liederkerke; www.segers-balcaen.com) – with the name Aegis NV (B-3290 Diest) – and Dematex (Greensboro, NC/USA; www.dematex.com) – under the name of Mosatec NV (B-5020 Malonne).

The 2000 business year saw the commissioning of a plant in Olomouc / Czech Republic and the purchase of French film producer Ceisa SA (F-27304 Bernay; www.ceisafr.com). Following this came a thorough restructuring of the rapidly expanded group. In April 2001, the company announced the acquisition of French BOPP film producer Sofilma SA (F-59470 Wormhout). Sofilma achieved sales of EUR 5m in 2000 with 25 employees. In August 2001, the company announced the acquisition of a 31% holding in packaging producer Apack AG (D-91459 Markt Erlbach; www.apack.de). Apack is specialised in biodegradable trays for foods and was founded in 1998. Its customers include the agricultural giant PHW. Fardis already has biodegradable films in its range and is intending to become a leading European company for biodegradable plastic products.