Quinn Packaging invests €3m in PET sheet extrusion line

14-Jan-2016 - Last updated on 14-Jan-2016 at 10:19 GMT

Quinn Packaging has made a €3m investment to grow its business

Republic of Ireland-based meat and poultry tray manufacturer Quinn Packaging has invested €3m ($3.25m) in a PET sheet extrusion line to help it become “a major player in the rigid food packaging market”.

Quinn’s investment in the new machinery will enable the company to produce post-consumer and recycled food contact-approved plastic packaging. Quinn said the investment was part of a wider ambition to establish itself as a leader in the Republic and Ireland and UK markets, respectively.

“This investment in Quinn Packaging will allow the company to further develop its presence within the rigid food packaging sector and represents a commitment to our customers and employees,” said Mark McKenna, general manager of Quinn Packaging.

“We believe the extra investment being made in the Vacurema recycling system, as part of the new extrusion line, will give us a competitive advantage over many of our competitors by allowing us to replace virgin polymer material with recycled material and still produce a higher-quality sheet.”

PET sheet and meat trays

The machine will be up and running later in 2016 and will optimise Quinn’s ability to develop its PET sheet and meat tray business further.

The PET sheet machine will be supplied by the Austrian extrusion manufacturer SML. Company managing director Karl Stoeger said: “SML Maschinen of Austria looks forward to supplying Quinn Packaging with a new sheet line for the production of high-quality, food-grade rPET-sheet for its thermoforming applications.”

“The line specification is based on SML’s technology partnership with Erema Austria, utilising the Vacurema system for the main extruder and SML’s single-screw technology for the co-extruded skin layers. A high-capacity roll stack and downstream equipment, together with additional laminating capability for a functional film, will ensure flexible and highest-quality sheet supply for Quinn’s expanding packaging business.”

Quinn Packaging’s €3m ($3.25m) investment represents another big move by the holding company of Quinn Industrial Holdings Ltd (QIHL). QIHL acquired both Quinn Packaging and Construction Industry Supply in December 2014, which resulted in the creation of 74 jobs.

The company also moved to improve its 140-strong haulage fleet in a capital investment initiative.