Borouge International has opened an expanded compounding facility in Schwechat, Austria, in a move that strengthens its European industrial footprint and expands production capacity for specialty polypropylene compounds.

 

The opening was marked by Borouge International Chief Executive Officer Roger Kearns, Chief Operating Officer Hasan Karam and Chief Commercial Officer Roland Janssen, alongside Dr Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, and Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria.

 

The more than EUR 100 million investment adds new production capacity and reinforces Schwechat’s role as a strategic hub for Borouge International in Europe.

 

“Strengthening Borouge International’s European industrial base is essential to maintaining competitiveness, resilience and future growth. The Schwechat expansion adds important capability to our asset base and reinforces Austria’s role as a strategic hub for Borouge International. It is an investment in our future that strengthens our position in attractive markets and creates long-term value for our stakeholders," said Roger Kearns, Chief Executive Officer, Borouge International.

 

Austria’s Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, said the investment underlines the country’s ambition to remain a major industrial location while deepening international partnerships.

 

“Our ambition is clear: Austria should remain at the forefront of industry. To achieve this, we aim to leverage our state-owned holdings strategically and strengthen international partnerships, such as with Abu Dhabi. With Borouge International, one of the world’s leading chemical companies has been established with its headquarters in Vienna. This is representing a tremendous opportunity for Austria as a business location. 

 

"The investment of more than EUR 100 million in Schwechat demonstrates the tangible benefits the new company brings to Austria: new production capacities, domestic value creation, and jobs. We are committed to continuing along this path with determination," said Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, Austria.

 

The expanded facility compounds polypropylene resins with recycled polypropylene and performance-enhancing additives, producing tailored materials designed to combine lightweight construction, enhanced performance and greater circularity.

 

The additional specialty-compounding capacity is aimed at several key growth markets.

 

Appliances and household applications: High-performance compounds containing recycled material can help manufacturers respond to rising demand for more circular products.

 

Mobility: More circular polypropylene compounds can support automakers as they address requirements under Europe’s End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) regulation. Lightweight polypropylene materials can also help reduce vehicle weight in battery electric vehicles, supporting efforts to lower environmental impact.

 

Infrastructure: Specialty compounds are used in protective coating solutions for steel pipes transporting oil and gas at high temperatures. The materials are designed to provide corrosion resistance and long-term performance in demanding operating conditions.

 

The Schwechat expansion positions the facility to support Borouge International’s push into specialty applications while strengthening its manufacturing presence in Europe.