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New investments increase production capacity for recycled packaging film

News

In 2021 and 2022, several new production lines will come into operation, increasing Rani Plast’s flexibility and speeding up the transition to a circular economy.

Demand for packaging solutions is increasing and especially for packaging films made from recycled materials. Some new production lines have come into operation at Rani Plast’s Bjölas factory in 2021, while others are on order and scheduled to increase production in 2022. The investments are made as a response to changing market conditions and to ensure Rani Plast’s customers receive high-quality packaging solutions and excellent customer service.

– We believe in the future of plastic packaging film, which is why we have invested in efficient new production lines. The use of plastic is increasing globally, and the market is transitioning to a circular economy. We, as producers of packaging solutions, are committed to reusing the waste we generate, says Mikael Ahlbäck, Managing Director of Rani Plast.

We believe in the future of plastic packaging film.

Mikael Ahlbäck

Reducing waste, increasing quality

The factory has modernised its machine park over the course of the years. Rani Plast was the first European company to introduce an extrusion line capable of producing seven-layer agricultural film up to a width of 22 metres. The line came into operation at the end of 2016. In the summer of 2021, production capacity was increased through two new extrusion lines: a seven-layer line for agricultural films and a three-layer line for industrial films. An additional four extrusion lines are on order and will boost the factory’s production from autumn 2022 onwards. The increase in production capacity will result in more flexibility and faster delivery times.

– The new lines will reduce production waste, improve the packaging films’ quality and enable us to use different raw materials, like recycled plastic granules, says Mika Lammi, Production Manager at Rani Plast.

The new lines will reduce production waste and improve the packaging films’ quality.

Mika Lammi

Thanks to the new printing lines commissioned in 2021, the factory can supply customers with a more diverse portfolio of products, and new printing options.

Changes in consumer behaviour

Although recycled plastic is the latest thing right now, it’s nothing new for Rani Plast. In fact, the company has been recycling production waste for many decades. A new state-of-the-art re-granulation facility will be operational by autumn 2022. The new facility will melt down Rani Plast’s own production waste into new plastic granules and may well be used to regranulate plastic waste from outside the company.

– Our customers’ demand for products made from recycled material is increasing. Furthermore, consumers accept the fact that packaging films made from recycled material don’t have the same aesthetic quality as regular film. Some customers even prefer plastic films that visibly show their recycled origin. There has been a clear shift in people’s attitudes over the past three to four years, says Dennis Granqvist, Sales Director at Rani Plast.

New lines introduced at Bjölas factory in 2021 expand Rani Plast’s product range and create new business opportunities.