Custom colour masterbatch manufacturer Silvergate Plastics (Wrexham, Wales / UK; www.silvergate-plastics.co.uk) in late August announced that it has invested an undisclosed amount into a new line and a reconfiguration of its production facility to meet rising customer demand. The expansion is expected to lift group sales from GBP 10m (EUR 13.7m) to GBP 18m (EUR 24.7m) by the end of 2015. The revised figure is largely the result of the popularity of its “SimplyWhite” and “Optibloc” ranges, as well as the recent launch of a number of new products, the company said.

The expansion follows a management buyout in June this year (see Plasteurope.com of 24.06.2015). Commenting on the upgrade, managing director Tony Bestall said, “Despite the challenges the plastics industry has faced over the last quarter, I am delighted we are able to inject more capital into our production facility due to ongoing – and increasing – demand.” The company did not provide exact output figures, but did say that it plans to add six new staff to its existing team in Wrexham in Q4.