Gabriel-Chemie marked its 75th anniversary with a company-wide celebration in mid-September at its headquarters in Gumpoldskirchen, bringing together most of the roughly 600 employees from its eight international locations. Founded in 1950 by Josef Houska as a small trading firm dealing in glass, spare parts, dyes and additives, the family-owned company has evolved into a producer of polymer additives and masterbatch over more than five decades of development, production and marketing. Today the business is led by the second and third generations, with an international footprint that includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and Italy. The company says its masterbatch gives plastics life and color, and can add functional properties such as flame or UV protection, as well as visual effects including laser and marble.
From trading firm to international group
Josef Houska established the company in 1950 as a small trading operation. In 1970, he transformed it into a production company for polymer additives, the so-called masterbatch. With a niche production capability in place, the business began internationalization in the 1980s, setting up its first subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Germany, followed by Hungary and the Czech Republic. In 1996, Elisabeth Sommer joined the management team and continued expansion, adding locations in Poland, Spain and Italy to the group. The third generation of the family has been actively involved in the company for several years.
Masterbatch portfolio and functions
Gabriel-Chemie develops, produces and markets masterbatch that imparts color and aesthetics to plastics and provides additional properties. According to the company, typical functionalities include flame and UV protection, while available effects range from laser marking to marble-like appearances.
People and partnerships
Andreas Berger, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer, emphasized the role of employees and customers in the company’s development: "Our founder, Josef Houska, provided us with a solid business foundation that we have been able to expand into an international success story over the past decades. Among the most important factors for good sales and stability are our highly qualified and loyal employees. We are proud to be an employer for many dedicated talents and experts – and I am convinced that this is also a key reason for our endurance in less favorable economic times." He added: "Trust-based customer collaborations are another important pillar of success – these partnerships begin with joint market analysis, continue into product development, and extend far beyond supply and service."
Sustainability and circularity initiatives
The company underscores its focus on innovation and sustainability in plastics, citing activities in circular economy, carbon footprint reduction and regional value creation. An additional photovoltaic installation on the new 3,200 m² warehouse at the Gumpoldskirchen headquarters supplies energy for production. Plastic waste is fed back into the internal production cycle, and the company states that no granulate is wasted. Gabriel-Chemie says that sustainability and decarbonization are integrated into its operations and transferred to customers. Its products are designed to help minimize customers’ carbon footprints, and the company supports partners with ideas for reusing operating materials in their production, offering practical expertise.
