An increase in volumes of 11% helped PET bottle manufacturer Resilux (Wetteren / Belgium; www.resilux.com) achieve a 16% year-on-year rise in operating profit (EBITDA) to EUR 38.5m in 2015. Volumes had increased by just 1.6% in 2014. Turnover was lifted by only 3.3% to EUR 292m as a result of lower average prices for raw materials over the year being passed on to customers.

Looking forward, the company expects 2016 EBITDA to be at least in line with 2015. It said that it will focus on further growth of standard and, especially, value added products and will strengthen its presence in Europe and North America. It expects to invest a total of EUR 15m during 2016. The company holds its annual general meeting on 20 May 2016 and will report its first half year 2016 results on 31 August.

The outcome of Resilux's dispute with joint venture partner Airopack Technology Group (Baar / Switzerland; www.airopackgroup.com) remains uncertain. The proposed dissolution of the 50:50 joint venture Airolux (Bilten / Switzerland) could, however, have an impact on the group's 2016 financial performance (for most recent coverage, see Plasteurope.com of 07.04.2016).