Renolit AG (D-67547 Worms; www.renolit.de) has confirmed to Plasteurope.com that it acquired the commodity films division of Switzerland´s Gurit-Worbla AG (CH-3063 Ittigen; www.gurit.com) several months ago in a deal backdated to 1 January 2002. Gurit Worbla, part of the Gurit-Heberlein group (CH-9630 Wattwil) – see Plasteurope.com 14, 2002 –, will continue to focus on speciality films.

According to a Swiss press report on which a Renolit spokeswoman declined comment, Gurit Worbla´s PVC films plant at Ittigen is being shut down and production switched to Germany, with only marketing to remain in Switzerland. Facility manager Heinz Gerber is quoted as blaming “extreme competition” as the reason for the move. With the current overcapacity and a declining market, fixed costs at the facility are said to be too high. Some 38 of the 46 jobs would be affected by the shutdown.

Meanwhile, Renolit has announced plans to split into three independent companies, effective 1 January 2003. The present Renolit AG holding will be dissolved and replaced by the three stand-alone units Renolit AG, RKW AG Rheinische Kunststoffwerke and Kiefel AG. The Mueller family will continue to hold 100% of the shares. Management said the new structure “will enable the three companies to develop a better and faster way into their various markets.”