Czech plastics processor Silon s.r.o. has launched a new production hall under an investment worth about CZK 300m (€11m) to make PE fibre from recycled PET bottles, reports local business daily E15.
The manufacturer is to hire 35 new employees at the production hall, expanding its current workforce of 550 employees. Under the plan, Silon will process some 250 million PET bottles per year. This will enable the firm to make up to 12,000 tonnes of PE fibers annually.
The production hall's output will be supplied to manufacturers of personal hygiene products which pushed the firm towards additional investments at its plant, according to Magdaléna Čapková, the marketing director at Silon. The majority of the output will be provided to Procter & Gamble.
The company operates a production facility in Planá nad Lužnicí, in the country's southern part.
While maintaining a presence in the Czech market, Silon exports the majority of its output to Germany, Italy, Spain and France. In addition to the personal hygiene industry, the manufacturer supplies its products to companies active in the automotive sector.
In 2015, Silon posted revenues of about CZK 3.8bn (€140.5m). This year, the company is aiming to further expand its sales by some 10%, according to Čapková.
Silon was set up in 1950 as a manufacturer of PA fibres. It is jointly owned by German and Czech-based entities.