Photo by Etimex Primary Packaging

European packaging moulder Etimex Primary Packaging is investing around €2m in the development of a new food tray forming hall at its production site at Dietenheim, Germany.

The expansion project involves the construction of a 2,500 square metre food packaging production hall with five new forming lines, incorporating the latest deep drawing processing and robotic technology. The latter enables the clean and efficient extraction of the polypropylene and PP barrier trays up to final packaging, the firm said.

To meet the highest food packaging market hygiene requirements, the processing hall includes human and hygiene ‘sluices’ in all entrance and exit areas.

Other key aspects of the project are sustainability features including minimal power consumption. Heat generated by the extruder is recycled to warm office and storage areas during winter months.

Etimex produces a range of food trays in materials including crystalline and amorphous polyester (CPET and APET), PP and PP barrier. The firm is currently considering a further expansion of manufacture of CPET and APET trays for ready meals and delicatessen products, it said.

“As well as the expansion of forming, we are working on sustainable solutions for repackaging and end packaging,” said Etimex’s sales and development manager.

“The changeover to plastic pallets and recyclable secondary packaging is another cornerstone that is being implemented gradually in consultation with customers.”

The firm’s development department is also working on new barrier films for different applications in the packaging sector, the executive explained.

Etimex prides itself on its range of innovative trays in a variety of polymers, injection moulds, sheets and flexible film which it has developed over more than 60 years.

The German processor has the capacity to extrude film and sheet up to 2.5mm thick and of nine layers. Its products include barrier films with EVOH and other materials as well as cast film.

Thermoformed packaging range includes perforated splitable and multi compartment trays and Etimex is able to decorate with in-mould labelling (IML) processing.