The plastics division of UK-based packaging group DS Smith has invested approximately €2.6m in its injection moulding plant in Bilzen, Belgium.
The facility specialises in moulding beverage crates and pallets and the investment will enable it to increase production capacity by nearly 50%. The company has added four new injection moulding machines.
“The investments will allow us to grow even further in other products for markets such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture etc,” said Paul Baeyens, managing director of DS Smith’s Plastics’ Injection Moulding business segment.
The company said in a news release that the investments at Bilzen “give the plant a completely new dynamic”.
The injection moulding machines are 40% more energy-efficient and are equipped with the “very best” in-mould labelling robots.
DS Smith has introduced a new internal raw materials supply system and created a new plant layout at Bilzen to ensure an optimum production flow. The investment has also created eight new jobs.
In addition to its large cardboard packaging business, DS Smith has a plastics business focused on three areas: flexible packaging and dispensing solutions, rigid packaging and foam products. The plastics division operates from 28 sites in 14 countries.