Materials firm Ingenia Polymers recently expanded its plant in Brantford, Ontario.
Houston-based Ingenia held a grand opening event at the site on Jan. 20. In a news release, officials said the event "celebrated the company's history, future vision and continued commitment to both the local community and the global market."
The newly expanded Brantford facility features additional warehouse space and upgraded office areas, allowing Ingenia to meet increasing demand. The firm was founded in 1986 by John and Maria Lefas as a joint venture between Wedco Technologies and Polyvector Corp. The Lefas family were Greek immigrants who moved to Canada in 1979. John Lefas had worked for ExxonMobil, formerly Imperial Oil, in Sarnia, Ontario.
In 1998, Wedco Technologies acquired the JV and the company was renamed Ingenia Polymers Corp. John and Maria's son Thanassi now serves as CEO.
The firm has eight manufacturing sites worldwide, making compounds as well as white, black, color and additive concentrates at plants in the U.S., Canada and Saudi Arabia. Ingenia also offers services including blending and size reduction. Markets served by the firm include rotational molding, pipe and film.
In late 2022, Ingenia and IKA Group formed a JV to make and sell PVC additives. That JV is focused on stabilizers and other additives for the North American PVC market. Ingenia provides operation and development for the JV, with IKA, based in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, handling technical service, marketing and production/formulation technology.