Semi-finished products specialist Röchling Engineering Plastics (Haren / Germany; www.roechling.com) is acquiring plastics processor Schwartz Technical Plastics (Xanten / Germany; www.schwartz-plastic.eu). Röchling said the purchase, which is subject to competition authority approvals, will bring new technologies such as the manufacturing of large-format cast parts from cast polyamide (PA). In particular, the acquisition enhances its competence for conveying and lifting technology, oil and gas industry, intralogistics and the building of elevators.

Schwartz specialises in the manufacture of moulded components from cast PA and offers large-volume machined parts made from engineering plastics. It has more than 240 employees across four sites in Germany, the Czech Republic, China and the US.

In future Schwartz will be managed by Thomas Schlag, Ralf van Holt and Heinz Dirksen. Stephan Peiffer, who has headed Schwartz since 2001, will resign from the company with the takeover.