Ferro-Sinar Mas plastic tie-up

JAKARTA (JP): PT Ferro Mas Dinamika, a joint venture between American firm Ferro Corporation and Indonesia's Sinar Mas Group, opened its new US$5.1 million plastics factory in Bekasi, West Java on Tuesday.

"We are proud to have been able to complete the construction of the factory on time despite lots of incidents related to the current security problems in Indonesia," said Ferro Mas's plastics division general manager Cees A.M. Rijper.

He said in a statement that the plant, which specializes in color masterbatch, was the second investment made by Ferro Corporation in Indonesia.

The plant covers an area of 65,000 square meters and has a maximum capacity of 5,000 tons of color masterbatch a year but will initially run at 1,000 tons a year.

The products are used in household appliances, electronics, construction, automobiles, and sports goods, the company said.

The plant was inaugurated by commercial counselor at the United State Embassy in Jakarta Alice Davenford (center).

After the ceremony, she toured the plant with Ferro Corporation Senior Vice President R. Jay Finch (right), and Rijper (left). (10)