4m-euro expanded polystyrene plant in Cluj

On Wednesday, the Austrian group Hirsch opened the first expanded polystyrene plant producing thermal insulation for buildings in Romania, located in the Rascruci village, Cluj county. The greenfield investment stands at 4 million euros and was considered as “medium-sized” by the Romanian manager of the plant, Mircea Popescu. The plots of land were bought from villagers and the equipment, produced by the Hirsch group, was brought from Austria. According to Popescu, if things run smoothly for a year, Hirsch may open other plants in Romania as well, but not in the Cluj area. “We now cover some 300 km in diameter and we have a big production capacity,” said Popescu. The management of the Austrian group took the decision to come to Romania at the end of last year, after visits to Transylvania were made and mayors of the big cities in the area were contacted. Peter Grabuschnig, a member of Hirsch Servo’s managing board said at the opening that they had chosen the Cluj area because the city is in the heart of Transylvania and has an international airport.