Amcor Flexibles re-focuses US operations

The company says its new North American initiative will involve the production of personal care packaging for the first time at its Madison, Wisconsin, facility, using dedicated sales, engineering, and technical staff, along with new equipment. The new facilities and equipment will include a 10-color rotogravure press, a new adhesive laminator and a clean room finishing area. The total investment amounted to $13m at the facility, which also involved a new incinerator that reduces emissions and energy consumption through a recycling system, as well as an ink solvent recovery system - two initiatives that tap into the growing need for manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint. The investment has also followed the need for clean manufacturing with the incorporation of a Class 100,000 clean room finishing area, complete with environmental initiatives that limit access to manufacturing areas, as well as segregating and isolating equipment into positive air pressure environments. Until this initiative was announced Amcor Flexibles has been supplying the world market for personal care packaging, which includes North and South America and Europe, from its three facilities in Europe - AF Tobepal in Spain, AF Venus in the UK and AF Gent in Belgium. The facility produces a range of high barrier laminations for sachets, wipes, peelable applications and stand-up pouches, all commonly used in the cosmetics and toiletries industry. Amcor Flexibles' director of personal care, Teri Meadow, explained that the company has built up an international reputation for innovative materials and packaging concepts within the personal care industry through its production facilities in Europe. "By building on the success and reputation of these European plants, we are able to provide the same level of quality and service from our Madison​ facility. The results will be expanded capabilities for global brands worldwide,"​ he said. Meadow also stressed the company's attention to developing sustainable packaging that is environmentally-friendly by stating: "We have devleoped recylcable films and flexible alternatives to rigid packaging that have eye-catching shelf presence yet minimize the impact on the environment."​