Packaging facility will target Thai food and consumer goods manufactuers

Huhtamaki is to invest €17m in a flexible packaging manufacturing facility in Thailand as part of plans to grow its position in the Asian consumer packaging market. The facility, which will be located on Samutsakorn Industrial Estate in Bangkok and is expected to begin production in mid 2008, will supply the local food and consumer goods industry with advanced flexible packaging. "We already have a solid position in Asia, but actively look for new opportunities to develop growth platforms. This market is growing rapidly, over 10% per year and we want to make investments in order to capture the growth," said chief executive Heikki Takanen.

The new Thai plant will strengthen the company’s position with its existing customer portfolio as well as supporting Thailand's growing food-related export activities, according to the company.

Headquartered in Finland, Huhtamaki is a leading manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging. Net sales in 2006 totalled €2.3bn.