PET preform production boosted by APPE
The firm said it is one of the largest investments in the Gresford site since PET preform production started just over 30 years ago and confirms it as the largest preform manufacturing plant in Europe.
It includes the installation of five Husky preform injection moulding systems and ancillary equipment from Piovan including silos, resin drying systems and water chilling systems.
The installation has resulted in a 1.5 billion unit annual capacity increase at the plant, taking overall capacity to 8 billion units per year, or an average of just under 22 million per day.
George Hendry, APPE UK’s commercial director, said it renewed existing contracts and has won new business despite the parent company (LSB) entering voluntary insolvency in 2013.
“The company has worked very closely with our customers throughout this period to retain our position as Europe’s premier PET preform & container designer and manufacturer.
“We are delighted that as a result of the market confidence in APPE we have made this significant investment at our UK plant.”
Plastipak Packaging was the successful bidder for APPE, following the insolvency of LSB. The EU Commission is looking at the merger with more news expected after June 11.
