Effective 1 February 1998, Gefinex Polymerschäume GmbH (PO Box 1243, D-33792 Steinhagen) acquired the expandable polypropylene portfolio of the Hüls group (D-45764 Marl). With the acquisition of the trade name "Vestocell" and production facilities at Marl, along with process knowhow and licensing rights to EPP production using the autoclave technology, Gefinex said it has further expanded its leading position as "specialist for high quality polymer foams." It now claims to be the only company with rights to both extrusion and autoclave manufacturing processes.

Gefinex notes that EPP particle foam is enjoying "rapid growth in energy-absorbing automobile safety components," adding that it is an "ideal" for returnable packaging that must meet high durability standards. It also attributes to EPP a number of other favourable characteristics, including high tensile strenth, low density, good resilience and resistance to high temperatures.

READER SERVICE: Gefinex company portrait brochure "Ideen aus Schaum" : PIE-No. 37252. – Folder on PP foam: PIE-No. 41082 (both in German).