US-based aluminium producer Alcoa will invest R$100m ($40m) to increase production of speciality foils for aseptic and flexible packaging at its rolling mill located in Itapissuma in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Aseptic and flexible packaging made with speciality foil allows liquid food products to retain nutrients and taste. Alcoa claims that food items offered in aseptic packaging remain ready for consumption for up to one year, even if unrefrigerated.
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The Itapissuma packaging facility currently employs nearly 700 people, and the expansion would add a further 50 new jobs at the plant when production ramps up. Initial work for the expansion is in progress, while the commissioning is expected to start in 2016.
Alcoa Latin America and Caribbean president Aquilino Paolucci said that the company’s aluminium foils are used in the manufacture of speciality packaging in the Latin American market.
"A growing number of consumers prefer this type of packaging because it keeps products fresher longer, and our expansion will enable Alcoa and our customers to capture that rising demand," Paolucci added.
Alcoa manufactures aluminium sheet and foil for use in a variety of packaging applications, including food and drinks containers. The latest investment is part of the company’s ongoing transformation to build its midstream and downstream businesses to capture profitable growth.
Image: Aluminium foil package bag. Photo: courtesy of aopsan/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
