Austrian masterbatch specialist Gabriel-Chemie (Gumpoldskirchen; www.gabriel-chemie.com) said it is significantly expanding capacity at its Hungarian production facility in Nyíregyháza with an investment of around EUR 6 mn.

The company said the project will include adding 2,200 m² of floor space to the main production area and warehouse as well as the construction of a two-storey office building covering around 800 m².

It said the expansion would double the total floor space, facilitating the installation of more extruders and potentially doubling the workforce. The exact number of additional jobs will depend on the economic development in 2024, Gabriel-Chemie added.

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The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 19 December 2023, it said. Construction work is set to commence immediately, with completion expected by the end of 2024. 

Masterbatch production will continue without disruption throughout the construction phase, showcasing the company’s commitment to maintaining operational efficiency and meeting customer demands seamlessly.

Gabriel-Chemie said the Nyíregyháza plant has played a crucial role not only in meeting the masterbatch needs of Hungarian customers, but also in supplying masterbatches to the broader Gabriel-Chemie group. 

The Austrian firm specialises in refining and colouring plastics. Founded in 1950, it employs a staff of around 630 and reported sales of around EUR 100 mn. The independent, family-owned group has subsidiaries in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, and the UK.