Italy’s So.F.Ter Group building first U.S. compounding facility

Italy-based plastics compounder So.F.Ter. Group has announced plans to build its first plant in America.

The new business, based in Lebanon, Tenn., will be dedicated to the production, development and sale of engineering plastics based on polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomers, and other advanced solutions for the U.S. market, the company said.

“The foundation of So.F.Ter. U.S. is a step of paramount importance in our internationalization strategy,” said Riccardo Meucci, global commercial director of the Forli, Italy-based company. “In addition to the size and breadth of its markets, we believe the U.S. has excellent prospects for growth. Moreover, the U.S. operation completes our presence in the Americas and complements our presence in Mexico and Brazil.”

The Lebanon site is planned to expand to more than 250,000 square feet and more than 150 million pounds capacity. The equipment installed initially will result in approximately 50 new jobs with ultimate site employment expected to exceed 150. The initial investment is expected to be US$11.5 million, the company said.

So.F.Ter group’s product range includes thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanizates and engineering plastics. The company reported sales of US$330 million in 2012. In addition to its headquarters in Forlì, it has another three manufacturing plants in Italy; a sales office near Stuttgart, Germany; and commercial and production units in Mexico and Brazil.