A. Schulman is consolidating its rotational moulding powders operations in Italy and Australia.Officials with US-based Schulman said in an 8 February news release that the firm would be closing its specialty powders plants in Verolanuova, Italy, and Breaside, Australia.
Work done in Verolanuova now will be done at a Schulman plant in Gorla Maggiore, Italy. Material produced in Breaside now will be made in Melbourne, Australia.
The closings will result in the elimination of between 40 and 60 jobs. The Verolanuova plant is being closed to leverage state-of-the-art facilities in Gorla Maggiore, officials said in the release. A business office will remain open in Verolanuova.
The Australian move is being made because of a drop in demand from the water tank market in Australia. Demand for those products has declined as drought conditions have subsided and government rebates on water tanks have been withdrawn, officials said.
The move in Italy will be complete by early 2012. The Australian move will be done by the end of Schulman’s 2011 fiscal year, which concludes in August.
Schulman acquired both the Verolanuova and Breaside plants when it purchased ICO last year.
