In Saudi Arabia, flexible packaging and technical film manufacturer Bischof + Klein (B+K, Lengerich / Germany; www.bk-packaging.com) is planning to build a second plant in the Rabigh petrochemicals complex. "The Saudi Arabia region is developing into an important location for the production of plastics," said Volker Pfennig, managing director of the B+K Group. "We want to share in this growth."

The German packaging and film company has been represented in the Arabian Peninsula region for ten years through B+K Middle East Company. The joint venture with the Saudi companies H.A. Al-Zamil & Bros Co, Al-Rajhi House Enterprises and Ahmed A.M. Al-Ohali produces FFS packaging solutions on the basis of co-extruded films as well as stretch hood and shrink films in Al-Khobar near Dammam. According to data from market research company Applied Market Information (AMI, Bristol / UK; www.amiplastics.com), B+K holds a 30% stake in the jv. Its biggest customer is the petrochemicals group Sabic (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com), but it also supplies companies in the neighbouring states.

At the end of October, B+K Mec will start up two additional FFS film lines, making a total of eleven FFS lines and two machines for the "SmartFlex" stretch hood range. The capacity will then rise to 24,500 t/y of FFS film and 5,400 t/y of stretch film.

With further production facilities in Germany, France, UK and Poland, B+K employs a total of 2,400 people (2010). Sales last year amounted to around EUR 450m.