Moving on Relocations and expansions

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MOVINGON

Relocations and expansions across Europe

Volkswagen opens new vehicle plant in China

The Volkswagen Group is creating new facilities in the growing market of China. Prof. Dr Jochem Heizmann, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, who is to be responsible for the new ‘China’ board of management function, and Dr Michael Macht, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG responsible for Group production, have inaugurated a new plant for Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) in Yizheng, eastern China, together with Hu Maoyuan, chairman of SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd. The plant is designed for an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles.

Heizmann said, “With a construction period of two years, we are opening our new facility in Yizheng earlier than planned. This is one of the most environmentally compatible plants of the Volkswagen Group. With advanced technologies and new production processes, we intend to continue to play an instrumental role in the future of China as an automobile country,” Visit: www.volkswagen.com.cn

Solvay starts production of speciality polymers compounds in China

Solvay’s speciality polymers compounding plant located in Changshu, province of Jiangsu in China, has started to serve the local growing demand for speciality polymers compounds. The plant is mainly serving China’s customers in the electronics, automotive, consumer and industrial applications markets with compounds of Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA), Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix® (modified PARA).

This plant required an investment of €21 million and is fully adaptable for future expansion of overall capacity as well as production of compounds made out of other high performance polymers. It is adjacent to another speciality polymers plant which is currently under construction for the production of SOLEF® Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), TECNOFLON® Fluoroelastomers (FKM) and their essential monomer VF2. Visit: www.solvay.com

AVEVA opens new office in Finland

AVEVA has opened a new office in Helsinki, Finland to support its growing presence in the country and to maximise business opportunities in the power generation industry. The office will offer sales and support for all AVEVA’s products and solutions in both the plant and marine sectors.

“AVEVA already has a strong position in the Finnish market so we understand that the demands from these customers are different than those from the other Nordic countries,” Helmut Schuller, senior vice-president Central and North EMEA, AVEVA. “This expansion will allow us to address the unique market requirements in Finland by offering local service and support capabilities, as well as strengthening our presence across the Northern European region. We are particularly interested in developing new opportunities in Finland’s growing power sector while continuing to serve those customers in our other core markets such as oil & gas, marine, paper & pulp and mining & metals.” Visit: www.aveva.com

Tata Steel to invest €12 million in French steel mill

Tata Steel will invest more than €12 million (£10 million) in new technology so it can produce longer wear-resistant rails at its French steel mill.

The new technology will enable Tata Steel to heat-treat rails of up to 108 metres in length at its Hayange facility in the Lorraine region of north-east France. Heat-treated rail can last up to three times longer than standard rail when used in high wear conditions such as heavy traffic, high axle loads or tight curves.

Gérard Glas, head of Tata Steel’s Rail Sector, said: “This investment reinforces our commitment to developing a range of premium rail products suitable for different environments around the world. Investing in a new heat treatment plant will open up new European market opportunities to us. We will be able to meet the needs of customers in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Scandinavia who are demanding longer length heat-treated rail to reduce life cycle costs.” Visit: www.tatasteelrail.com