Brenntag expands rubber technical centre in Italy

Essen, Germany – Brenntag Specialties has expanded its rubber technical centre in Orbassano, near Turin, to support the local tire industry as well as growing industrial-rubber demand.

The Italian unit now includes a new lab for analysis & testing, as well as increased capacity for 'value-added services' to customers, Brenntag announced 28 Nov.

Such services include those around the customised packing for the safe handling of chemical additives in line with customer requirements, said the German group.

Orbassano specialises in 'bags-in-bag' solutions – for containing various components of customer recipes – as well as dosing and repackaging of liquids and solids.

The company has, therefore, expanded its capacity for liquid repackaging at the site by 25%: installing additional lines and related facilities.

While tire companies are the site's main customers, demand is also increasing from the growing technical rubber goods industry in the region, Brenntag noted.

The expansion at Orbassano will complement Brenntag's distribution activities and its offering to tire and non-tire rubber customers, said Sara Ghione, senior director, polymers & rubbers EMEA.

The increased service capabilities will help shorten customer lead-times while also enhancing sustainability by reducing scrap and waste, Ghione added.