Plastics manufacturer Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has announced plans to expand its post-consumer recycled PET extrusion capacity in North America. The expansion, which represents a multimillion-dollar investment and will include special, super-cleaning technology, will allow the company to better meet rising demand for a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content (PCR) in various consumer and health packaging applications.
The precise location for the capacity expansion is currently still being evaluated, the company said. kp will announce at a later date which of its eight North American sites is best situated to serve its sustainable consumer and protein packaging customer base.
Some 17,500 metric tonnes of capacity will be added, significantly increasing kp’s capacity for thermoformed recyclable protein trays in North America. In this strategic market sustainable PCR solutions have become increasingly important, as consumer demand for curb-side recyclable options, supporting closed loop packaging, and a circular economy, continues to climb.
“As major brands announce robust, sustainability initiatives that includes post-consumer and recyclable packaging, kp will be positioned to service those market needs for the foreseeable future” said Scott Tracey, kp’s CEO.
Globally, this is the fourth major expansion for kp. In March they announced a 30% capacity expansion at their Cotia, Brazil location and in June kp broke ground at their central Virginia location that increased the company’s pharmaceutical films capacity by 6,000 metric tonnes.
Founded in 1965, kp has 32 plants in 18 countries and employs more than 5,900 people in over 60 locations.