Local government approval is awaited to enable Matrix Plastics (GB-Slough SL1 4SS; www.matrix-plastics.co.uk) to establish a colour masterbatch and compounding facility in the Rayong province of Thailand. The USD 1.5m, 1,600 m² plant is planned to open in January 2004 and has been located to take advantage of the large number of automotive companies operating in the area. In addition to putting strong emphasis on the supply of colour compounded engineering polymers to the automotive sector, Matrix-Asia intends to target the white goods and telectronics markets, as well as producing masterbatches for food packaging and closure applications. Four extruders will be installed initially at the Rayong plant, which is at a coastal site south-east of Bangkok known as the “Detroit of the Far East.”

In the UK Matrix is spending a total of GBP 250,000 on three new twin screw extruders, four injection moulding machines and the upgrading of its existing colour prediction system. The investment follows a 26% increase in fourth-quarter turnover compared with the same period of 2001 and, what the company terms, a dramatic increase in export sales. The new equipment will improve the Slough factory´s colour matching capabilities and reduce production lead times.

Formed 12 years ago, Matrix currently has 10 extrusion lines in the UK and handles 6,500 t of compound annually, generating a turnover of GBP 8-10m. Its main markets are automotive, electronics, housewares and medical, for which it supplies colour masterbatches and compounds in a range of materials, including ABS, polycarbonate, PP, acrylic, polyamide and PBT.