Quinn Packaging has invested €3m at its facility in Ballyconnell, Ireland to increase its capacity for PET sheet production.
The installation of a new extrusion line from SML “significantly increases capacity for production of food grade thin gauge sheet” said Quinn in a news release, without detailing the new capacity figure.
The additional capacity enables Quinn to increase its supply of PET sheet to packaging companies for thermoforming applications and food companies for FFS (form, fill and seal) applications. Quinn also thermoforms its own packaging and the new extrusion line will help it supply more PET trays to the meat industry.
The meat sector is a key market for Quinn and the company has recently celebrated the major milestone of the production of its one billionth meat tray for supply to the market. Quinn said it supplies meat trays to some of the leading meat processing companies across the UK and Ireland, including ABP, Dunbia, Liffey Meats, Hilton Foods and Linden Foods. It added that it is developing plans to supply PET sheet to a number of other European countries, which will be aided by this latest technology investment.
The new SML extrusion line incorporates the Vacurema recycling technology system from Erema, which allows the production of food grade PET sheet with increased volumes of recycled raw materials.
The company said: “This new technology underpins Quinn Packaging's Eco-Innovation initiative, which focuses on the use of cutting edge technology and research to deliver superior environmentally friendly products, and reduce the company's carbon footprint.”
Mark McKenna, general manager of Quinn Packaging, said: “Our recent technology investments fit with our commitment to sustainability and innovation, and give us in-house capabilities which you simply don't find as standard in packaging companies. Our aim is to be at the forefront of Eco-Innovation in our industry, which enhances the appeal to potential European customers, and certainly gives us a substantial competitive advantage.”