Mobil Plastics Europe Inc. (MPE, European HQ: 1b, rue Thomas Edison, L-1445 Luxembourg) plans to add more than 20,000 t/y of capacity at its Brindisi site in southern Italy, through the addition of a new, ten-meter orienter. The new line, to come on stream in mid 2001, will reach full capacity the following year. MPE, part of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, said the capacity buildup will allow it to continue its rapid growth with “innovative new products for the flexible packaging industry in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”

Headquartered at Macedon, New York (US), ExxonMobil is the largest global OPP producer with an existing capacity base of around 120,000 tonnes in Europe and 240,000 tonnes worldwide, as MPE President Carlo Ranucci points out. The capacity is spread among seven OPP production plants – three in Europe and four in North America – in addition to capacity obtained through strategic relationships around the world. Three regional offices support Europe and Africa, the Americas and Asia/Pacific.