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Cirkla is to establish a new US manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Georgia, as the moulded fibre packaging company aims to meet growing demand for plastic reduction across the meat and poultry sector.
The facility, which is expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2027, will be dedicated to scaling moulded fibre packaging for meat applications and is described by Cirkla as the first US facility of its kind.
The new site will enable an integrated domestic supply while increasing production capacity and reducing lead time.
The investment follows what the company says has been a strong market uptake of its Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) fibre trays among protein processors.
Cirkla manufactures moulded fibre products using materials including sugarcane bagasse, bamboo and wood pulp. Its portfolio includes MAP packaging for meat, ready meal packaging, dairy tubs and compostable coffee capsules.
Vaibhav Goel, CEO of Cirkla, said: “Our manufacturing in India runs at scale and has validated this technology in real production environments across some of the most demanding protein categories. As US demand has grown, so has the case for a domestic footprint – this facility brings that same capability closer to our customers, built for the national rollouts ahead.”
Cirkla’s MAP trays use moulded fibre alongside a patented liner technology designed to provide the barrier performance required for fresh protein packaging while reducing reliance on conventional rigid plastics.
The Gainesville site will incorporate automation, in-house quality laboratories and expanding finishing capabilities. It will manufacture the company’s portfolio of moulded fibre packaging, including MAP and overwrap trays.
The facility will be located at the Gainesville 85 Business Center in Hall County, an area with strong ties to the poultry and food manufacturing industry.
Cirkla’s expansion comes as food manufacturers and retailers seek alternative packaging formats to reduce plastic use without compromising on shelf life, food safety and presentation.
While the new site will initially focus on meat and poultry, the company said its technology has applications across other categories, including produce and ready meals.
The project was supported by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Quick Start. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to provide more than 100 jobs and support Cirkla’s expansion across the US.
