THE Carrickfergus company BFT Plastics, a joint development project by Clarehill Plastics and the Belfast based venture capital company Enterprise Equity, has announced a £6.9 million sterling investment which is expected to lead to an expansion in overseas sales, and the creation of 72 new jobs over the next three years.
BFT, which makes a range of plastic pallets and foldable boxes, will use the money to set up what it claims is the world's first commercially blow moulded foam operation, using new technology developed by its German partner, Krupp Kautex.
Its managing director, Mr Brian McCann, said it was expected that more than 90 per cent of production would be sold outside Northern Ireland.
"This is a unique product," he said, "which has involved us in extensive market research, and in working with other European companies to develop products and the blow moulding equipment to manufacture them."
In addition to the German machinery manufacturer Krupp Kautex, the other companies involved include a Norwegian plastics design specialist, and Borealis, which supplies the raw materials.
The project is being supported by a grant of £1.5 million from the IDB, whose chairman Mr John McGuckian said that blow moulding was "an innovative technology process with tremendous potential in home and overseas markets".
"It will build on the successful track record and extensive, knowledge of plastics production of Clarehill Plastics," he said, "which operates in the rotational sector.
