Melos Carl Boesch GmbH (D-49324 Melle), German subsidiary of M.A. Hanna Company (HQ: 200 Public Square, Cleveland OH 44114-2304), has started up a new EUR 10m compounding plant for production of halogen-free flame retardant compounds for the cable industry. Part of the new complex is an applied technology centre designed to support the development of compounds for the European wire and cable industry.

Hanna estimates the European cable market for PVC at around 1m tonnes. With its flame retardant compounds based on polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers Hanna hopes to substitute around 60,000 t/y of this. Part of the Hanna group since 1998, Melos produces rubber, elastomer and plastic compounds for the wire and cable industry, as well as for sport and leisure articles and automotive applications. European contact: M.A. Hanna Wire & Cable Polymer Systems (2 rue Melville Wilson, B-5330 Assesse).

Melos´ new managing director is Birger Kuck. He replaces former managing partner Dr. Carl Bösch, who will continue to serve as an advisor to the Hanna group. For the past two years Kuck was general manager of Air Liquide GmbH (PO Box 101251, D-40210 Düsseldorf). Prior to that, he headed Biesterfeld Plastic GmbH (Ferdinandstr. 41, D-20095 Hamburg) and its subsidiaries.

• Plasteurope.com Service: M.A. Hanna annual report for 1998 (English): PIE-No. 44331.