The Automotive unit of German plastics processor Röchling (Mannheim; www.roechling.com) has opened a new technical centre in Laives / Italy, after investing around EUR 4m for the purchase and reconstruction of the existing building. In addition to the existing technical centres in Troy / USA and Kunshan / China, it is the third facility of this kind for the automotive supplier.

The approximately 1,300 m² building in Laives will employ 100 people from the Development, Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), Innovation and Business Development, and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) departments. The new building will free up space in the nearby production facility. Röchling Automotive in Laives has a total of 850 employees.