Colorant supplier ramps up Canadian operations

Clariant Canada Inc. Masterbatches Division recently completed the transfer of its production, sales and service operations to a new, state-of-the-art, 72,000 sq. ft. facility in Toronto. The company has been moving machinery and personnel piecemeal from its old plant in Missisauga since September of last year in order to provide unimpeded service to customers.
The new facility consists of approximately 31,000 sq. ft for manufacturing, 24,000 sq. ft. of warehouse and 16,000 sq, ft. of laboratories and offices. The plant currently has eight production extrusion lines, with two new lines expected to be in place sometime in the first half of the year. Additionally, the facility is equipped with advanced water treatment and safety features.
“This plant represents our commitment to the Canadian market and our customers,” says Ivan Garneau, sales and marketing manager, Clariant Canada Masterbatches. “We expect to be here many, many years.”
The plant will serve as the lead manufacturing centre for Clariant’s new line of PVC-based masterbatches. The new line, marketed under the trade name Renol, consists of 24 standard color and additive concentrates for rigid or flexible PVC resins. Clariant will also custom formulate a specific color on request.
“Our PVC business is very strong,” says Thomas Bernhardt, vice-president/general manager of Clariant Canada Masterbatches. “It is growing 12% per year.” Bernhardt reports that PVC is still the material of choice for shampoo bottles, ketchup bottles and hosts of other applications.