German masterbatch manufacturer Lifocolor (Lichtenfels; www.lifocolor.com) is investing more than EUR 20m to expand its headquarters. The company is building a 14,000 m² factory complex next to its existing production site. The planned production capacity is 6,000 t/y of masterbatches and is expandable if necessary. The groundbreaking was in July, and construction is scheduled for the next 18 months.

Lifocolor's existing production plant that was built in 1986 has reached its capacity limit, said the company, and it will continue to operate in addition to the new plant. To meet the increased requirements for masterbatch production, manufacturing equipment in the new building is aligned to the company's core segments. It will be equipped with heat recovery systems and modern ventilation technology to improve air quality in all operation areas. In addition to the latest building standards, it will cover 40% of its own energy needs. The company intends to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions for masterbatch production by 40% against 2018.