Shortly after rebranding as Novares (Paris / France; www.novaresteam.com; see Plasteurope.com of 26.09.2017), the automotive parts supplier, formerly known as Mecaplast, has put its first plant onstream in Romania. The production facility in Mioveni – around 100 km northwest of Bucharest – will supply engine and underbody covers for Dacia's "Duster" and "Logan" models.

From 2018, Novares also aims to have a coating line in operation, after which the company's portfolio at the site will include plastic interior and car body components and roof rails. Initially, the French company intends to create 40 new jobs and another 40 are due to be added before the end of the year. In 2018, the aim is to reach full capacity with a total workforce of 130.