Constantia Flexibles has invested approximately €6 million in its packaging facility in Weiden, Gemany to meet demand for laminates with high property barriers for products such as processed food, coffee, dry food and meat.

As part of the investments, the company has installed two blown-film (polyethylene) extrusion lines. One line at the Competence Center Film develops in-house proprietary film formulations that enable efficient production and speed up the time to market, the company says.

A second line produces pre-material for the Weiden plant and other film production sites in Europe.

Constantia Flexibles will also be integrating an AlOx dual metalliser that will manufacture transparent, high-barrier film products to cater for the latest consumer trends. The non metal material is combined with additional barrier lacquers and films to create a barrier against aroma, moisture and oxygen, while the consumer is able to see the product inside the packaging due to its transparency.

Stefan Grote, executive vice president at Food Europe, says, "These investments mean we are now fully integrated into the film value chain at the Hueck Folien plant in Weiden and will strengthen Constantia Flexibles credentials as a leading supplier of high-performance films for different food industries."

"At the same time, our Ebert plant in Wiesbaden, Germany, will focus on being a leading manufacturer of film-based Twist applications for the confectionery industry."