The global producer of PET packaging solutions said it would pump €8m ($8.8m) into a fourth plastic extruder and new thermoforming capabilities. The investment is part of the Yorkshire-based company’s €14.3m ($15.8m) three-year investment plan in its Spanish arm.
Linpac said installation of the fourth extruder will boost its manufacturing capacity by around 25%. This, the company claimed, would help it meet demand from retailers across Europe which are moving to PET packaging from expanded polystyrene and polypropylene.
Its new thermoforming capabilities could enable Linpac to increase its annual production by around 80 million units per year – meaning it would produce over 630 million plastic trays per year.
‘Secure future’
“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,” said Ricardo Cabeza, managing director of Linpac for southern Europe.
“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.”
In addition to the €8m pumped into extruder and thermoforming capabilities, a further €3.8m ($4.2m) will be spent in 2017, with €2.5m ($2.7m) earmarked for 2018.