Finnish packaging company Huhtamaki has opened a new smooth moulded fibre (SMF) lid production line at its site in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, bolstering the company’s ability to supply the UK and Ireland markets.

Featuring a patented click-fit function for secure closure, the home-compostable and easy-to-recycle fibre lids align with the global push towards more environmentally friendly packaging options.

The facility boosts Huhtamaki's worldwide capacity and footprint in SMF products, as well as complements the company’s current production sites in Germany, Holland, and the US.

It also strengthens partnerships in Asia, ensuring the company can scale SMF production to match customer growth ambitions.

The production line also incorporates robotics and AI for quality control and the in-house laboratory.

Huhtamaki Lurgan general manager Richard Smith said: “It is fantastic to see the ribbon cut on the new SMF production line in Lurgan, the culmination of months of hard work by the fantastic team at the site.

"With production now up and running and the potential to add further capacity in the coming years, we are perfectly placed to supply the growing demand for a fully sustainable lid across the UK and Ireland, and further afield.”

Huhtamaki offers paperboard and moulded fibre packaging solutions for fresh food and drinks.

The company serves quick service and fast casual restaurants, coffee shops and vending operators with paper cups and other food-to-go packaging.

Huhtamaki has recently collaborated with Slush in a bid to set new standards for resource management in the events sector.

The company will provide recyclable fibre cups and lids for all hot and cold drinks for this year’s event. All of those will then be collected, sorted, and recycled in Finland.