Huhtamaki invests in new fiber packaging capacity in South Africa

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ PRESS RELEASE 27.5.2021 AT 08:00

Huhtamaki invests in new fiber packaging capacity in South Africa

Huhtamaki, a global key advanced manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, is setting up a new manufacturing unit in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa to serve its existing and new egg packaging customers in the KwaZulu-Natal area with a broad range of locally produced packaging solutions. The new facility will be located close to one of South Africa’s main export ports, enabling competitive exports of egg packaging for customers across East Africa.

“The addition of a unit in KwaZulu-Natal is an important addition to our fiber packaging footprint in South Africa not only providing efficiencies in our service to customers in South Africa but an additional benefit in terms of proximity to a major port which will drive access to markets across East Africa. The new facility sets us up to better meet the growth of the fiber packaging sector and future demand for sustainable packaging. It also strengthens our position in the region significantly,” says Eric Le Lay, President, Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania.

This investment underlines Huhtamaki´s strong commitment to the growing customer base in South Africa and East Africa, as the addition of several new lines allow a significant increase in capacity. Manufacturing operations are expected to begin during the fourth quarter in 2021 and the facility is expected to employ approximately 30 employees when fully operational.

Huhtamaki has operated in South Africa since 2000. The company currently employs approximately 530 people across four manufacturing units and manufactures fiber packaging for eggs and fruits, foodservice packaging, and flexible packaging. Huhtamaki South Africa has a level 4 rating in the B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) program.

For further information, please contact:
Calle Loikkanen, Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communications, tel. +358 10 686 7125
Katariina Hietaranta, Head of Media Relations, tel. +358 10 686 7863

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ
Global Communications

About Huhtamaki
Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste. We embed sustainability in everything we do. We are committed to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all our products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.

We are a participant in the UN Global Compact and as of 2020, we received an MSCI ESG Rating of A, on a scale of AAA ─ CCC. To play our part in managing climate change, we have committed to set science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative. Huhtamaki has been awarded the Silver medal by EcoVadis for performance in sustainability.

With 100 years of history and a strong Nordic heritage we operate in 36 countries and 81 sites around the world. Our values Care Dare Deliver guide our decisions and help our team of 18,1200 employees make a difference where it matters. Our 2020 net sales totaled EUR 3.3 billion. Huhtamaki Group is headquartered in Espoo, Finland and our parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Find out more about how we are protecting food, people and the planet on www.huhtamaki.com.