Plastic recycler Regain Polymers (Castleford / UK; www.regainpolymers.com) has expanded its operations with the acquisition of Express Recycling & Plastics (Rainham / UK; www.expressrecycling.co.uk) and the purchase of a new, state-of-the-art twin screw extruder. The total investment exceeds GBP 1m (EUR 1.3m). Commenting on the acquisition, Regain Polymers managing director Ian Porter said: “We are actively seeking opportunities to expand our business and this new venture will increase both our capabilities and capacity to supply the market.”

Originally established in 1991 as Linpac Recycling to recycle post-consumer polystyrene, Regain Polymers now handles a range of rigid plastics. The company was one of five stand-alone, non-core businesses sold by Linpac Group (Birmingham / UK; www.linpac.com) to funds managed by Chamonix Private Equity (London / UK; www.chamonixpe.com), in late December 2010 – see Plasteurope.com of 11.01.2011. The new extruder has increased capacity at its HQ site by 40% to over 45,000 t/y.

Express Recycling & Plastics was formed in 2006. It specialises in the separation and processing of rigid, end-of-life plastics and has capacity for 40,000 t/y. Regain says the wider geographic spread achieved by the acquisition will greatly improve its ability to attract raw materials for both recycling plants.

Confirming the company’s plans for expansion, Mark Roberts, technical sales director, Regain Polymers, said: “Our strategy is one of growth, and these investments will give us both the technology and capacity needed to ensure that we are well placed to achieve this in 2012.”