Klöckner Pentaplast: Expansion of PET and blown film capacities

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group (www.kpfilms.com) announced that it will add to its European production capacity for polyester films. Primarily used for food and consumer packaging applications, the new capacity will be located at the company’s Crumlin, UK, manufacturing facility. The start up of the state-of-the-art extrusion line is targeted for late 2009 and will produce high-performance polyester films. The £3 Mio (€3.4 Mio /$4.4 Mio USD) investment will be supported by the Wales Assembly Government (WAG) and includes an expansion of the existing building. “This PET expansion will enable us to continue to support our customers’ growing global demand for high-quality PET films, specifically in the UK,” notes Hans-Joachim Kogelnik, president and COO, Klöckner Pentaplast/Europe. “In addition, this new capacity will further enhance our ability to service our UK food industry customers with a highly flexible supply capability while increasing new product development resources.”

Furthermore Klöckner Pentaplast will upgrade its North American production capabilities for blown A/MA/B barrier films (commonly known as Barex® barrier films). Blown A/MA/B barrier films are used primarily as a product contact layer due to its chemically resistant properties, barrier properties, and functionality as a heat sealing media for flexible packaging and are ideal for pouch applications such as packaging for transdermal patches and promotional product samples. The A/MA/B blown film production line will continue to be located at the company’s Beaver, West Virginia, USA, manufacturing facility. Klöckner Pentaplast is the only U.S. producer of blown A/MA/B barrier film. The new technology upgrades to the current line will allow kp to offer a wide range of capabilities to support packaging of new drug delivery systems, which require thinner gauges and precise profile control. These technology modifications will improve lay flat and thickness uniformity, which are critical to new application development, conversion equipment, and high-speed filling machinery. The €374,000 ($500,000 USD) investment is targeted for completion by September 2009. “This technology upgrade will enable us to continue to support our customers’ growing demand for high-quality blown A/MA/B barrier films while expanding our offerings to the marketplace,” notes Michael Tubridy, president and COO of Klöckner Pentaplast/Americas.

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About Klöckner Pentaplast
The Klöckner Pentaplast Group is the world’s leading producer of films for pharmaceutical, medical device, food, electronics, and general-purpose thermoform packaging, as well as printing and specialty applications. Founded in 1965 in Montabaur, Germany, Klöckner Pentaplast has grown from its initial facility to 19 current production operations in 11 countries.

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group is wholly owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group. The company has sales of over $1.6 billion (€1.1 billion) and employs more than 3,200 people committed to serving customers worldwide.

Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH & Co. KG, Montabaur, Germany

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