The 3,500 sqm3 plant will house Marchesini’s logistics unit and is part of a wider strategy to consolidate operations.

The plant feature a geothermal heating system designed by Bologna-based eco engineering specialist Airklima which, according to Marchesini, “will ensure a comfortable workplace [that is] warm in winter and cool in summer.”

Group management and production director Marco Marchesini said that the extension will help boost operational efficiency and meet with the firm’s environmentally friendly objectives.

Open house at Paris facility in September

In related news, Marchesini unveiled plans for an open house at its new commercial services and after sales facility in the Parisian suburb of Saint Mesmes.

The three day event, which will take place in September, is designed to showcase the 1,000 sqm3 unit’s range of services.

Again the facility is part of Marchesini’s consolidation programme, in this case bringing together its French pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging machine operations and technical support services.

The Italian-headquartered company counts on France as an important market and Marchesini’s annual turnover in the country is around €20m.

Unica robotic line

One of the recent new product offerings from the company is the Unica robotic line that claims to offer cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturers greater packaging flexibility, improved cleaning access and quicker change over.

The Unica line, which was unveiled at Achema 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany, combines a Farcon 220 deep forming unit with a MA100 carton packaging processor, each of which is controlled through a separate PC and fully automated robotic feed system.

Company spokesperson Manuela Goldoni told CosmeticsDesign.com that the line has many different potential applications in cosmetics from lipstick to perfume.