Materials maker Ampacet Corp. has added production of plastic additives at its plant in Tver, Russia.
Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Ampacet began production of those materials at the site early this year, officials said in a news release. They said the new line features the latest technology in additives production and was engineered with a focus on safety, ergonomics and environmental impact.
Energy and water systems have been designed to produce minimal environmental impact at the site, officials added.
"Our deep knowledge of the Russian market, together with Ampacet's innovative products, allow us to meet regional customer needs," Russia general manager Alexei Fomtsov said in the release.
Ampacet has operated in Russia since 2008, when it began production of color concentrates. Officials said that localizing the color business "has met with tremendous success," helping Ampacet to become the leader in the Russian color concentrates market with more than 1,200 customers.
The Russian market "is growing rapidly and local presence is key to providing the proper service to our customers," Europe managing director Marcello Bergamo added.
Ampacet's expansion in Russia is the latest in a series of European moves for the firm. In 2017, Ampacet started a new color concentrates production line in Dudelange, Luxembourg. In 2018, the firm opened a new additive production line in Messancy, Belgium. Additional lines doubled the firm's color concentrates capacity in Dudelange in 2019.
Ampacet is one of North America's 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers. The firm employs more than 2,000 at 25 manufacturing sites worldwide and has annual sales of more than $1 billion.