Expansion for its bottle making business into European markets is the aim as Pechiney Plastic Packaging (PPP) continues to develop its range of niche packaging operations with a new plant due to open in the south of France soon.
The new plant will make polypropylene barrier bottles for food products, containers already used elsewhere for syrup and ketchup packaging. With one customer already signed up in advance, PPP will be starting production at the same time as seeking other customers in France for this type of container.
PPP recently installed two new lines to make high barrier polyolefin bottles at its plant in Ontario, Canada. Demand for high barrier plastic containers is high, says the company; a trend based on the switch from glass to plastic packaging by manufacturers across a range of food and beverage products.
In a fragmented North American market for flexible containers, PPP is a major player, with a 7 per cent share, making it one of the top five suppliers.
To compete better, the company now makes its own blown film at the converting plant in Wisconsin rather than buying it in, a move that is likely to show benefits in the next two years of trading. The company is also investing in new printing technology for its high-end packaging operation in North Carolina.