Huhtamaki´s site in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, marked a major milestone recently with the official opening of its smooth molded fiber (SMF) lid production line.

The expansion marks an important step in our ongoing commitment to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions across the region Its development expands our capability in being able to design, develop and deliver sustainable fiber packaging solutions for our customers.

The facility will also increase our global capacity and footprint in SMF products, complementing existing production sites in Germany, Holland, and the USA, as well as boosting capacity together with our strategic partners in Asia.

Importantly, this significant investment and new online production, will allow us to scale SMF production in line with customers' growth ambitions in the future, an important asset given the growth prospects for the UK and Ireland coffee market in the coming years.

Building on Huhtamaki's 40-year of experience in fiber products, our in-house state-of-the-art SMF technology provides products with superior quality and competitiveness. All Huhtamaki fiber lids come with a patented and unique click-fit function to ensure the most secure lid closure. Huhtamaki fiber lids, like all other Huhtamaki SMF products, are home compostable and easy to recycle.

To mark the opening of the new SMF line, which is the first in the UK and Ireland, customers and stakeholders gathered at the Lurgan site for a tour of the factory and a detailed briefing on the benefits the unique lids bring by replacing plastic.

The visitors heard how the investment opens a local supply line for SMF lids across the UK and Ireland, offering Huhtamaki's quality product to a broad customer base.

Fredrik Davidsson, President, Fiber Foodservice E-A-O, Huhtamaki, led the presentation, alongside Kim Aganimov, SVP New Businesses FFS EAO; Andy Hesp, General Manager UK&I MU

Richard Smith, General Manager at Huhtamaki (Lurgan), also addressed the guests and led the tour of the new production line where virgin paper is pulped before the lids are formed using Huhtamaki's unique in-mold drying process. Visitors got to inspect the production line manufacturing fiber lids, which uses robotics and artificial intelligence to quality control the final product, as well as the in-house laboratory where constant monitoring ensures the utmost consistency.

The Lurgan site has been in operation for more than 100 years, and guests saw the rough moulded fiber products production line in Lurgan, where both cup carriers and egg cartons are produced.

Marianne Jutila, Head of Smooth Molded Fiber, Fiber Foodservice EAO, said the opening of the new SMF lid line in Lurgan bolsters our ability to supply the UK and Ireland market.

"It is fantastic to see the ribbon cut on the new SMF production line in Lurgan, the culmination of months of hard work by the fantastic team at the site. With production now up and running and the potential to add further capacity in the coming years, we are perfectly placed to supply the growing demand for a fully sustainable lid across the UK and Ireland, and further afield."

Richard Smith, General Manager at Huhtamaki (Lurgan), said the SMF line adds to the Lurgan site's offering.

"Having focused on rough fiber production for more than 100 years here in Lurgan, we have relished the opportunity to bring our expertise to bear on the new SMF plant. The team - which consists of several elite engineers and production operatives, have done a sterling job in commissioning the plant and we look forward to adding further to its capacity in the future."