Plastics processing group Rehau (Rehau / Germany; www.rehau.com) is investing EUR 150m to build a new production plant for automotive parts in Újhartyán / Hungary. Construction on the 63,000 m² site is due to start in March 2018 and be completed in April 2019, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced. The investment is to create almost 730 jobs. According to Hungary's trade minister, Péter Szijjártó, plastic car components such as bumpers and spoilers are to be produced at the new location for a second Mercedes-Benz plant, which is being built by the Stuttgart company in Kecskemét, some 50 km away.

The minister also highlighted the importance of the automotive industry for Hungary. In 2017, the industry reached a record high of EUR 25.6 bn and contributed significantly to the country's export growth. Apart from Rehau and Mercedes, Audi, Continental and Qualitative Production have recently announced investments in the country. Due to the growing demand from Audi, Rehau will also expand its Győr location.

Founded in Germany in 1948, the Rehau Group employs 20,000 people at over 170 locations worldwide. It is a systems provider of polymer-based solutions in the construction and automotive sectors as well as for furniture, appliances and industrial products.