Labelled consumer packaging company Weidenhammer Packaging Group (WPG) has completed the expansion of its plant in Greece.
Composite can production was launched in May at the site in Inofita near Athens. Weidenhammer says it invested a total of €6.5 million to expand its local manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demands in Greece and throughout southeastern Europe.
The unit manufactures ‘self-opening’ cans for fresh dough products next door to its primary customer, the US food group General Mills. The Weidenhammer cans are used Europe-wide for products such as Knack & Back and Pizza Crust. Weidenhammer Greece also supplies sectors including the snacks and nuts and instant beverages.
Production of new peel-off tops for composite cans was launched on a new assembly line in July. The concept was developed for perishable products including baby food, powdered milk and other sensitive foods.
“In these segments, there was never a viable alternative to metal cans,” says Aris Binis, WPG Sales Director in Inofita. “Our composite cans with peel-off tops offer better sealing properties and can be used in segments where the usability of composite cans was relatively limited,” he adds.
The closure device is similar to the ring-pull or the tab on a metal can. The fact that consumers already know how to use it is seen as a bonus. Additional benefits relate to material and transport costs, it is claimed.
The latest investment was financed through cash flow with 20% subsidised through EU funds. Two assembly lines are producing ‘several million packages per month’. The enlarged facility covering 4,000m2 is said to allow for future growth.