Expected to be completed by early 2024, the 25,000ft² expansion will help Berry to meet the increasing demand for its sustainable stretch films
Berry is expanding its Lewisburg stretch film facility in the US. (Credit: Tom from Pixabay)
US-based plastic packaging products maker Berry Global has started the expansion project at its stretch film manufacturing facilities in Lewisburg, Tennessee.
Expected to be completed by early 2024, the 25,000ft² expansion will help Berry to meet the increasing demand for its sustainable stretch films.
Plastic stretch films are said to be an ideal solution for pallet load containment due to their strong, durable, and lightweight nature.
Under the expansion plan, Berry Global will create space for three new cast lines and upgrade the existing capacity of the facility’s post-industrial resin (PIR) reprocessing system. The plan also includes extending the firm’s rail spur for the handling of resin materials.
The company said that the move will generate 10 new job opportunities at the Lewisburg facility.
Berry Performance Materials executive vice-president and general manager Phil Stolz said: “The ability to access innovative, sustainable film solutions is critical for our customers as they work to drive progress toward a circular, net-zero economy.
“Expanding our Lewisburg facility will allow us to optimise the facility to help our films customers deliver against their ambitious sustainability goals.”
Initially, the installation of the first cast line will be completed in partnership with Berry’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier.
According to the company, the first cast line is expected to support around 20 million pounds of additional capacity for its ultra-high-performance films.
The investment in new lines will help Berry benefit from advanced technology to boost stretch films’ capacity.
Once the installation of the first new line is complete, the plastic packaging products maker will then add two additional cast lines in the Lewisburg facility.
Additionally, the expansion will back the increased production of ultra-high-performing film solutions, thus supporting the circularity.
The US-based firm produces films like Berry’s Transcend and Stratos machine films that are designed to minimise the use of virgin plastic via source reduction. The films also retain load containment to prevent, breakage, damage and loss during storage and transport.