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Huhtamaki has announced that it is establishing a new manufacturing facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which will serve egg packaging customers in the region.

The site will supply new and existing Huhtamaki customers with a range of locally produced packaging solutions and is expected to begin manufacturing operations during the fourth quarter of this year.

Employing around 30 people when fully operational, the facility will be located close to one of South Africa’s main export ports.

Eric Le Lay, president, fibre foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania, said: “The addition of a unit in KwaZulu-Natal is an important addition to our fibre packaging footprint in South Africa, not only providing efficiencies in our service to customers in South Africa but an additional benefit in terms of proximity to a major port which will drive access to markets across East Africa.

“The new facility sets us up to better meet the growth of the fibre packaging sector and future demand for sustainable packaging. It also strengthens our position in the region significantly.”

Huhtamaki says that the investment underlines its commitment to the South Africa and East Africa markets.

The company has operated in South Africa since 2000 and currently employs around 530 people across four manufacturing units, producing fibre packaging for a range of applications.

Earlier this year, Huhtamaki announced a €10 million investment in a new manufacturing site in Malaysia, in order to better serve its customers in Southeast Asia.