GE Plastics (European HQ: PO Box 117, NL-4600 Bergen op Zoom) has announced plans to build a 130,000 t/y polycarbonate manufacturing facility in Cartagena, Spain. Approval for this project represents the second phase of GE Plastics' investment at the Cartagena site. The company opened a compounding facility there last year. "The addition of polycarbonate manufacturing at the Cartagena site will enhance GE Plastics' ability to serve customers in Europe and around the world", said Gary Rogers, President and CEO of GE Plastics. "The Cartagena facility will be GE Plastics' most advanced manufacturing operation in the world, incorporating the best processing technology available." Construction on the site is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Commercial operations are scheduled to start-up in 1998.

GE Plastics is also expanding polycarbonate production in the US and elsewhere in Europe. With additional capacity at its Mt. Vernon, IN, facility coming-on-line late this year, and expansions at the Burkville, AL, and Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands, sites scheduled for next year, GE Plastics will be well positioned to meet the growing world-wide demand for polycarbonate. In addition, GE Plastics is evaluating opportunities for polycarbonate manufacturing in the Pacific region.