Klöckner Pentaplast breaks ground for new Chinese production facility

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group announced today that it broke ground on January 18, 2012, for construction of its first manufacturing facility in China. Located 80 km west of Shanghai in the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, China, the new site will produce packaging films for the growing domestic Chinese market. The first phase of production capacity will focus on transverse-direction oriented shrink-label films, used primarily for full- or partial-body shrink-sleeve applications. Klöckner Pentaplast is the only producer of shrink-label films with global manufacturing in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Suzhou manufacturing facility The new 12,000-square-meter manufacturing site will house state-of-the-art production equipment, high-tech production control systems, and a research and development laboratory. The site will increase Klöckner Pentaplast’s global shrink-films capacity by 6,000 metric tons. The CNY 185.7 mio ($29.5 mio USD/€22.5 mio) investment is targeted for completion in first quarter 2013 and is expected to employ 100 people. Pentalabel® films Pentalabel® shrink films offer the broadest, most innovative portfolio of high-quality labeling solutions in the industry. Engineered specifically for full-body or partial shrink-sleeve labels, roll-sleeve labels, promotion packs/multi-packs, tamper-evident closures, capsules (wine caps), and pressuresensitive labels, Pentalabel® films offer consistent excellent gauge control, lay-flat properties, ink adhesion, and seaming ability. These films are typically printed for highly decorated labels that provide food and consumer products with 360-degree graphics. “This new site enables us to continue to support our customers’ growing global demand for high-quality packaging films, especially in the dynamic Chinese market. As the world’s leading producer of rigid films, we are excited to expand our presence in China with a broad film portfolio produced utilizing the most advanced production technology to allow regional and global converters and brand companies to source consistent, high-quality films,” notes Christian Holtmann, Chief Executive Officer, Klöckner Pentaplast Group. “With the opening of this plant, customers can be assured of receiving high-quality Pentalabel® films that have made Klöckner Pentaplast the global leader and innovator in shrink-label solutions.” Adds Christopher Frank, Managing Director, China, for Klöckner Pentaplast, “The Suzhou Industrial Park is a natural choice as the home of our first manufacturing plant in China. Its focus on innovation, strong infrastructure, and business-friendly environment make it an ideal location. In addition, Suzhou is located close to major metropolitan areas to further enhance our service capability.”