Linpac is addressing growing demand for PET and rPET by investing over €8m in new extrusion and thermoforming capacity in Pravia, Spain, to deliver a greater range of lighter, more cost-effective and sustainable products.
The installation of a fourth extruder at its Pravia site will allow the food packaging manufacturing site to increase its capacity by 25 per cent in order to meet demand from retailers and packers across Europe who are making the transition from EPS and PP to PET packaging, the firm said in a press release.
Ricardo Cabeza, managing director of Linpac Southern Europe, said: “The new extruder will extend our capabilities and enable us to offer a wider variety of products to customers, ensuring they receive the best packaging for their application.”
The installation of new thermoforming capacity will enable the site to increase annual production to 630m trays - an increase of 80m.
PET and rPET is becoming increasingly popular as a food packaging material across Europe due to its versatility, lightweight nature, barrier and food safe properties, as well as its recyclability.
These benefits are driving the growth of the market among retailers and packers in Spain and other European countries.
The investment is part of a three-year plan with an estimated total of €14.3m going into LINPAC Spain; €3.8m is allocated for 2017 and a further €2.5m in 2018. The project endorses the commanding position that LINPAC holds in the Iberian region and further afield in terms of market share and innovation.
Cabeza added: “This investment will help to increase capacity, quality assurance and delivery of innovation, as well as greater flexibility in meeting customer needs for high quality products which address their environmental concerns.
“We pride ourselves on delivering reliable, high quality, rigid and flexible packaging solutions to leading retailers, packers and distributors around the world. This investment will secure our future in the region as a leading innovator in the European fresh food packaging market.”
