As Coveris’ UK center of excellence for high-performance technical barrier and stretch films, the Winsford site is continuously enhancing its capabilities to develop sustainable, recyclable films that align with the company’s ‘No Waste’ strategy. This commitment directly supports food and drink sustainability efforts in packaging.
The recent upgrade encompasses the addition of a nine-layer blown extrusion line designed for technical EVOH barrier films, alongside a new cast stretch extrusion line that introduces innovative technology to Coveris Winsford. Furthermore, an onsite 5,000-pallet space warehouse is being constructed, significantly increasing storage capacity to better meet industry demands.
Coveris has announced that the operational nine-layer blown extrusion line establishes the company as the largest producer of polyethylene EVOH barrier films in the UK. These recyclable EVOH barrier films not only extend shelf life but also maintain the freshness of short shelf-life food products. They are particularly suitable for various applications in food and drink packaging, including meat, fish, poultry, cheese, and baked goods.
The enhanced capacity will bolster Coveris’ innovative film developments, particularly within its MonoFlex and PolyFlex ranges, while also supporting expansion plans in the thermoforming and vacuum skin packaging (VSP) segments. The site is additionally set to launch a cast extrusion line for stretch films, with production expected to commence in December 2024.
This state-of-the-art cast technology will facilitate the manufacturing of stretch films tailored for machinery applications, specifically designed for the heavy goods sectors such as bottling, canning, transport, and logistics. Notably, this line will produce UK Plastic Packaging Tax-compliant films containing a minimum of 30% recycled content, aligning with current food and drink consumer trends emphasizing sustainability.
Alongside these technological advancements, a new 5,000-pallet space warehouse is currently under construction at the Winsford site, which will nearly triple the existing storage capacity and enhance operational efficiency.
Sujoy Bose, managing director of Coveris Winsford, stated: “These exciting developments are part of our ongoing commitment to driving the innovation of sustainable films. Our focus remains on producing packaging that incorporates recycled content, advances recyclability, and utilizes the minimum amount of material for optimal benefit through downgauging projects. Furthermore, we aim to deliver superior shelf-life through EVOH barrier technology. We are proud to champion various environmental initiatives by investing in industry-leading capabilities, our Film Science Lab expertise, and fostering a sustainability culture. These enhancements are integral to Coveris’ No Waste strategy, supporting a more sustainable future for the packaging industry.”
Earlier this year, Coveris Winsford announced plans to expand its portfolio by manufacturing vacuum skin packaging (VSP) films. The site has recently opened a dedicated manufacturing hall and installed cutting-edge VSP conversion equipment, leveraging its expertise in nine-layer EVOH barrier film production for applications in the meat, fish, and dairy sectors.
