Expected to start production in January next year, the extension will double the plant’s capacity and help meet the demand for recyclable paper-based packaging
The extension project will double the plant’s capacity and help meet the demand for recyclable paper-based packaging. (Credit: Clair on Unsplash)
Huhtamaki, a provider of sustainable packaging solutions, has opened €20m project to expand the capacity of its existing manufacturing site in Nules, Spain.
Expected to start production in January next year, the extension will double the plant’s capacity and help meet the demand for recyclable paper-based packaging.
The investment includes a €2.2m grant from the Conselleria de Hacienda y Modelo Economico (Community of Valencia).
The expansion project, covering an area of 12,500m², was constructed in accordance with the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) sustainability standards.
The project also aligns with Huhtamaki’s 2030 Sustainability Ambitions which includes the use of 100% renewable electricity. It is on track due to a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement that covers over 80% of Huhtamaki’s current electricity usage in Europe.
The factory also meets high thermal comfort criteria for its personnel as it features the latest HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system with air quality, temperature, and humidity control, the firm said.
Huhtamaki Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment president said: “This investment, which will create around 130 new jobs when fully operational, has been aided by the Community of Valencia, which has supported the expansion of Nules with €2.2m of development funding.
“It builds on our existing technological expertise and will further enhance our manufacturing capacity for innovative and sustainable paper-based packaging in Europe, providing our customers with the ability to substitute rigid plastics, which are being driven by consumer demand.
“We continue to urge EU policymakers to support legislation that enables and incentivises innovation and sustainable packaging solutions”,
According to Huhtamaki, the Nules factory is a Huhtamaki Global Center of Excellence, which develops sustainable packaging solutions for its customers across Europe.
Earlier this year, the firm announced that its site in Alf, Germany is switching its focus from plastics to smooth moulded fibre products to meet the growing demand for plastic-free alternatives for food packaging.
Once operational, the advanced plant will produce up to 3.5 billion fibre products annually, the company claimed.