COVERIS has announced an ‘extensive’ investment at its polyethylene extrusion facility in Winsford, Cheshire.
As the company’s UK centre of excellence for technical barrier and stretch films, Coveris explained the site continues to expand its capabilities in the development of sustainable, recyclable films in alignment with the company’s ‘No Waste’ strategy.
The upgrade includes an additional nine-layer blown extrusion line for technical EVOH barrier films, a new cast stretch extrusion line, and a 5,000-pallet space warehouse.
The newly operational nine-layer blown extrusion line is said to position Coveris as the UK’s largest producer of polyethylene EVOH barrier films. Designed to extend shelf-life and maintain freshness of short shelf-life food products, the recyclable EVOH barrier films are suitable for applications including meat, fish, poultry, cheese, and bakery products. The increased capacity supports Coveris’ film developments, including its award-winning MonoFlex and PolyFlex ranges, and plans to grow in thermoforming and vacuum skin packaging (VSP) segments.
Complementing the site’s existing range of blown stretch and pre-stretch products, Coveris Winsford has introduced a cast extrusion line for stretch films, set to start production in December 2024. This technology supports the manufacturing of stretch films specifically engineered for machinery applications, suited for heavy goods sectors such as bottling, canning, transport, and logistics. The line will offer UK Plastic Packaging Tax-compliant films, featuring a minimum of 30% recycled content.
A new 5,000-pallet space warehouse is also under construction, which will almost treble current storage capacity. Expected to be fully operational by the end of Q1 2025, the expansion aims to improve logistical efficiency, reduce supply chain complexities, and minimise transportation needs. Products benefiting from the storage expansion include MonoFlex Thermoform, a mono-material recyclable thermoforming solution, and other technical barrier films such as VSP.
Sujoy Bose, MD at Coveris Winsford, said, “These exciting developments are part of our ongoing commitment to driving innovation of sustainable films. Our focus remains on producing packaging that incorporates recycled content, advances recyclability, uses the minimum amount of material for the maximum benefit via downgauging projects, and delivers optimal shelf-life through EVOH barrier technology.”
