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Amcor has expanded its flexible packaging operations in northern Italy with a new production line dedicated to high-barrier, recycle-ready films, reinforcing the company’s push to support food and beverage brands transitioning to more sustainable packaging formats.
The investment at Amcor’s Lugo di Vicenza site adds nearly 7,000 square meters of new production space designed to support every stage of the high-barrier film manufacturing process.
The facility will produce materials used in lidding films and pouches for applications across food, beverage, pet food and healthcare packaging.
The expansion enables large-scale production of advanced materials such as AmLite HeatFlex, a high-barrier film engineered for retort applications, where packaging must withstand high temperatures used in sterilisation processes.
Amcor said the new line strengthens its portfolio of recycle-ready flexible packaging, allowing brands to maintain the barrier performance needed to protect product quality while improving recyclability.
The company said the technology is designed to help customers meet evolving sustainability targets and prepare for new regulatory requirements, including the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will require many packaging formats to be recyclable by 2030.
Elena Peron, plant general manager at the Lugo site, said: “This new facility is the result of Amcor’s pledge to develop all our packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable.”
The newly extended department includes infrastructure designed to ensure product consistency and performance. The facility features a dedicated quality control laboratory and a fully automated high-density warehouse with temperature-controlled chambers used for curing packaging materials during production.
These capabilities allow Amcor to maintain strict quality standards for high-performance films that require precise barrier properties to protect products from oxygen, moisture and other environmental factors.
She continued: “This expansion, combined with the Amcor team’s expertise, will support our customers in making the switch to recycle-ready packaging and contribute to a more circular packaging industry.”
Demand for recyclable flexible packaging continues to grow as consumer packaged goods companies face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and comply with upcoming regulations.
Amcor said the Lugo expansion positions the company to support brands seeking high-performance alternatives to traditional multi-material packaging, while maintaining shelf life and product safety for packaged foods and beverages.
