Dutch speciality resin compounder RESIN (Products & Technology) (Enschede; www.resin-technology.com) and its sister company Yparex (www.yparex.com) have made significant investments over the past 18 months to expand their global operations and service capabilities. One major expansion, said RESIN, is a new 50:50 joint venture in Indonesia with Polymindo Permata, a supplier of wicker and thatch made from synthetic fibres, which began operations in early 2016. PT Resindo Compounding Technologies, located in Tangerang / Jakarta, develops and produces polyolefin-based compounds and composites for the Southeast Asian market, in segments such as automotive, roofing and flooring, wall cladding, packaging and electrical appliances.

The jv enables both RESIN and Yparex to access regional sources of raw materials and serve the rapidly growing market faster and more efficiently. For Polymindo, the deal has diversified its own capabilities and products for the local building & construction market.

Back in The Netherlands, the two firms have carried out a major upgrade to their shared quality testing laboratory and common quality assurance system. New equipment means the laboratory offers an expanded suite of analytics on production lots of materials as well as supporting R&D activities. Some of these activities were previously performed by independent laboratories, adding cost and waiting time for customers.

Frans Haafkens, RESIN’s managing director, said the investment had already begun paying for itself in solid growth in its existing base and provided the ability to bring its suite of products to an even broader geographical and market offering.

General manager of Yparex Wouter van den Berg added that the two companies had gone from strength to strength since joining forces in 2011. He commented: “By enabling both teams to better support existing customers as well as seek new ones in the important growth market of Southeast Asia, we are better positioned to capitalise on all the opportunities that the global market currently offers for companies like ours.”