Graphic Packaging International (GPI) has expanded its Sneek manufacturing site as part of a €20 million investment to meet increased demand for sustainable packaging.
Located in the Netherlands, GPI’s Sneek facility produces folding carton packaging for the European beverage market.
The development forms part of a two-year expansion programme which has already included a 5,000 square-metre building extension. As a result, more than 50 jobs were created.
Most recently, GPI has installed a new printing press which has almost doubled capacity at the site and is believed by the company to positively affect the facility’s environmental profile.
The water-based inks align with customers that prefer the potential advantages of the ink technology.
Stefan Nieuwland, project manager at Graphic Packaging Europe, said: “Moving from rotogravure presses to the new flexographic press was a natural step for us at the Sneek facility, as it enables us to keep pace with evolving market and consumer needs. The press has led to faster turnaround times without compromising our quality performance.
“The new 11-colour press replaces two machines at Sneek, and the result has been a significant increase of both the printing speeds and the annual capacity of the plant. Our customers have benefited greatly from our faster speed to market and first-time-right quality production of their packaging.”
As part of the investment, GPI also plans to add a new folder-gluing line, which will reportedly increase the number of lines from five to six.
The new facility will also support the company’s UK and US customers by producing the majority of its new KeelClip solution for food and beverage multipacks. GPI developed the paperboard packaging can solution last year which offers sustainability and merchandising benefits.
“The site expansion and press installation were phase one. The next phase will include the installation of two new die-cutting machines later this year, alongside new solar panels to generate renewable energy resources for the site,” added Nieuwland.
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