Toppan builds “mother factory” to focus on flexible packaging
The firm said the 154,000m2 site will supply packaging materials for food and toiletries, and other fields such as healthcare where future growth is expected.
Construction began on the site in Gunma in November last year and is expected to be complete by March 2014.
Toppan said the plant is being constructed, as a "mother factory" not just for domestic business, but also for the production of flexible packaging for overseas markets.
Domestic and global aim
By developing new technologies and products, the plant will proactively supply products to cultivate both domestic and overseas markets, explained the firm.
Toppan will strengthen production of the main base materials of composite containers that combine materials such as flexible packaging, paperboard cartons, and plastics.
The plant will provide high barrier flexible packaging materials that use Toppan’s barrier films, GL Film and prime barrier, to sectors such as food, healthcare, and industrial materials.
GL Film is a collective term for clear vapor deposition high barrier films developed by Toppan Printing.
As a top brand in the clear high barrier film market, GL Film is used for 10,000 products by around 1,000 companies in 30 countries and regions (as of December 2012).
Prime Barrier means s a collective term for Toppan Printing’s new brand for functional clear high barrier films that have excellent barrier performance and functionality, which has been achieved through further development and evolution of GL Film.
R&D plans
Toppan Printing plans to create an efficient production structure combining R&D and production by establishing an R&D facility within the site of the new plant.
“In emerging nation markets such as China and Southeast Asia, the packaging material market is expanding due to economic growth. With improvement in the quality of life, higher quality products are in demand, and this also gives rise to new markets in the field of packaging,” said Toppan.
“In the field of packaging materials, there are growing needs for CO2 reduction through reduction of material volume and for aluminum-free solutions, and this means increased demand for highly functional packaging,” they added.
The firm said it would install a VOC (volatile organic compound) recovery and reuse system with an original design as part of an environmental focus.
