With its recent investment in a new Farrel continuous mixer, Hubron Manufacturing Division Ltd (Albion Street, Failsworth, GB-Manchester M35 0FP) now claims to be the second largest black masterbatch producer in Western Europe. The investment doubled the company's capacity to 21,000 t/y. At the same time, Hubron has appointed Victor International Plastics Ltd (Blackhorse Road, Longford, GB-Coventry CV6 6DP) as a distributor for the UK and Ireland.

Hubron is a long established company with a growing reputation as a leading independent masterbatch producer. Founded in 1934 as a rubber compounder, the company moved into plastics in the 1970s developing a range of carbon black masterbatches. By the mid-1980s, the business had diversified to supply white, additive and colour products too. However, the main thrust of the business continues to be in black masterbatch accounting for 80-90% of sales. Film applications are the most important markets, although there is a growing demand for pipe grade product.

All production is still based at Hubron's Manchester site, although in recent years it has set up distribution subsidiaries in Israel, the Czech Republic and Singapore. According to the managing director, Ian Brown, company strategy is to continue growing sales geographically particularly for its black masterbatches.

READER SERVICE: Technical datasheets on Hubron's range of masterbatches (English):PIE-No. 40143.