The concentration process in the European films industry continues apace. In the most recent merger, Orbita Film GmbH (D-06369 Weissandt-Gölzau), subsidiary of Poli-Film GmbH (HQ: Handelsstr. 10, D-42929 Wermelskirchen), has acquired PE films production of Afex Folien AG (CH-8730 Uznach). Afex Vetriebs AG, a new joint subsidiary of Vario Holding AG (CH-Glattbrug), former owner of Afex Folien, and Orbita Film GmbH, has been formed to handle marketing of the PE films. Afex Folien AG will be dissolved and its production shifted to Orbita's base in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt.

According to the companies involved, Afex Folien's management believed production of PE films in Switzerland was no longer profitable, due to high costs. The linkup with a strong partner, Orbita, and the shift in production to eastern Germany appeared a sensible move. With a PE films production capacity of 80,000 t/y, Orbita is Europe's leading producer. Over the past several years, the German firm has spent DM 100m on expanding its premises into one of the most modern sites for production and processing of PE blow moulding films in Europe.

READER SERVICE: Company portrait Orbita Film (December 1994): PIE-No. 37602 – Supply programme overview: PIE-No. 37603 – Folders on laminating films, labelling films and agricultural films: PIE-No. 37604 (all in German).