The Quinn Group is to invest €150 million in a plastics factory near Leipzig, Germany. The plant will employ 100 people when it goes into production in the first quarter of 2008.

The founder of the group, Sean Quinn, travelled to Leuna, in Saxony-Anhalt, to announce the decision to invest in a new methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer production plant.

MMA is a basic material used in the production of plastics and can be used in glazing, sanitary, lighting, display and household goods products. It can also be used in paints, coatings, and adhesives.

The plant is being built by the Quinn Group subsidiary, Quinn Chemicals GmbH, and will introduce for the first time in Europe a new, advanced continuous production process. The process operates without the need for any highly toxic or hazardous material.

"We are very pleased to be launching this new sector-leading initiative here in Leuna and look forward to a successful project," said Mr Quinn. "The technology being deployed in this project will be a first for Europe and is destined to have a significant impact on the sector in general."

Quinn Group is a major producer of container glass products for the food and beverage trade and is a major provider of building insulation products. It is also involved in the supply of heating radiators and the production of industrial and domestic plastics.

Quinn Plastics Ltd is a major European supplier of transparent sheet plastic products and has production sites in Germany, France, Spain, the UK, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.