With the installation of a new "ZSK" extruder line from Coperion (Stuttgart / Germany; www.coperion.com), IQAP Masterbatch Group (Masies de Roda / Spain; www.iqapgroup.com) has completed its upgrading project, which involved all three of the company's production sites, by increasing its capacity by up to 9,000 t/y at its home location. Previously, it was able to produce more than 10,000 t/y of masterbatches at its Masies de Roda location. It also has created a clean area exclusively for additive masterbatch production as well as a quick-work area with the goal of supplzying small orders in a short period of time.

At its Czech production site in Tabor, the company has doubled the production capacity by adding another production line. Its new capacity is roughly 6,000 t/y. The Czech site specialises in black masterbatch for multi-filament and polyester staple fibre used in the textile industry.

Meanwhile at another Spanish location in Ibi near Alicante, the company's analytic laboratory facilities have been given a facelift involving the acquisition of new equipment.The company produces around 2,500 t/y of masterbatches in Ibi. The privately owned company, located in the province of Barcelona, believes with the investment and upgrade project now finalised, it has cemented its role as one of Europe's Top Ten masterbatch producers.