SIG Combibloc invests in new kit in Brazil
SIG Combibloc has invested in a new extrusion line at its Paraná plant in Brazil
In 2011, the company’s first South American packaging plant commenced operation in Campo Largo in Paraná.
The carton packaging supplier said that an investment of more than €36m (100 million Brazilian reais) is set to allow the installation of an extrusion line that will make it possible to laminate unprocessed cardboard for the aseptic carton packs from SIG Combibloc on-site.
By the end of 2012, SIG Combibloc South America said that it recorded growth of more than 60% compared to the previous year’s performance. As a consequence, work has already begun on the second stage of the plant expansion, earlier than planned.
‘Stepped up a gear’
Ricardo Rodriguez, director and general manager South America at SIG Combibloc, said: “For this reason, we have stepped up a gear on the factory expansion works with a further investment of 100 million Brazilian reais.
“The investment is equivalent to more than €36m. This means SIG Combibloc has now fully completed the project in the originally announced total amount of 270 million reais.”
According to SIG Combibloc, the extrusion line will laminate the unprocessed cardboard for the carton packs from SIG Combibloc on-site with a polymer and aluminium coating. The inner polymer layers build a liquid barrier for the product, and the outer layer keeps moisture out.
The razor-thin aluminium layer protects the food packaged in the carton pack from light, oxygen and external odours, said the firm. After the coating has been applied, the packaging material is printed, cut to size, stamped and sealed.
According to SIG Combibloc, Brazil is South America’s biggest market for long-life foods packaged in carton packs. According to estimates by the Canadean market research institute, sales of aseptic carton packs totalled more than 13 billion units in Brazil in 2012. Sales are forecast to continue increasing, at a rate of 8% annually up to 2015.
