Espoo, Finland 22 December 2015 -- As part of its growth strategy, Huhtamaki is investing in new capacity at its molded fiber packaging manufacturing unit in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. The total investment is approximately GBP 5 million. Machinery installation is expected to be completed in early 2016.

The Lurgan unit, which has been manufacturing molded fiber packaging such as egg cartons, egg trays and cup carriers for 80 years, is expanding its manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of the growing egg market in the UK and Ireland. The new equipment will also enable Huhtamaki to expand its product range within the molded fiber sector.

"We have expanded our product range and improved our operational efficiency in the UK during the past years. More importantly, we've been able to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, offering real value and service to our customers. With this new, state-of-the-art machinery we invest in the future growth, and in serving our customers better," says Petr Domin, interim Executive Vice President, Molded Fiber.

Facts about Huhtamaki

• Huhtamaki has 16,700 employees across 69 manufacturing units and 23 sales offices worldwide, and with 3 business areas - foodservice packaging, flexible packaging and molded fiber packaging - is proud to manufacture packaging that helps great products reach more people, more easily.
• In the UK, Huhtamaki has 3 manufacturing units: a molded fiber packaging site in Lurgan and two foodservice packaging sites situated in Gosport and Blackburn.
• Lurgan site employs over 200 people and has been manufacturing molded fiber packaging such as egg cartons, egg trays and cup carriers for 80 years.
• In November 2015 Huhtamaki announced an investment to develop and expand its foodservice packaging manufacturing unit in Gosport, UK.