As part of its overall commitment to support its customers’ increasing demand for paper-based packaging, Huhtamaki has inaugurated the extension to its existing manufacturing site in Nules.
The extension, which will commence production in January 2023 represents a €20m investment and will double the site’s capacity. The investment includes a grant of €2.2m from the Conselleria de Hacienda y Modelo Economico (Community of Valencia).
This latest investment reflects the growing demand from for renewable and recyclable paper-based packaging to substitute rigid plastics. The Nules factory is a Huhtamaki Global Center of Excellence, developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for its customers across Europe.
The extension of 12,500 sqm has been built to the globally recognized BREEAM sustainability standards. This is in line with Huhtamaki’s 2030 Sustainability Ambitions, including the use of 100% renewable electricity, which is on track with a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement covering approximately 80% of Huhtamaki’s current electricity usage in Europe signed in December 2021. Thanks to the installation of an advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system with air quality, temperature and humidity control, the plant also meets high thermal comfort standards for its employees.
“Our investment in this new advanced manufacturing capacity, adjacent to our existing Center of Excellence in Nules, confirms our commitment to working with our customers – both current and new – to deliver sustainable paper-based packaging solutions,” says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki. “We have worked hard to ensure the extended facility is itself sustainable in line with highest BREEAM sustainability standards.”
“This investment, which will create around 130 new jobs when fully operational, has been aided by the Community of Valencia, which has supported the expansion of Nules with €2.2m of development funding,” says Eric Le Lay, President, Fibre Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania. “It builds on our existing technological expertise and will further enhance our manufacturing capacity for innovative and sustainable paper-based packaging in Europe, providing our customers with the ability to substitute rigid plastics, which are being driven by consumer demand. We continue to urge EU policymakers to support legislation that enables and incentivises innovation and sustainable packaging solutions.”
