Linpac calls the UK home. But it has had a manufacturing site in Bunbury, Perth since 2013 and in 2015 it will have a new one in Melbourne. With a site on both the east and west sides of Australia, Linpac intends to supply the latest design and technology in rPET recyclable, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to the poultry, beef, lamb and fish & seafood markets across Australia.
Linpac Group has seventeen manufacturing sites across Europe and one plant in Changzhou, China. Australia is a key development region for the Group because major Australian retailers are currently moving into Modified Atmosphere Packaging, away from more traditional trays and overwrap films. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is commonly used throughout Europe and America due already because of the benefits it delivers to the entire food supply chain.
Linpac Packaging's primary centre for the manufacture of flexible film for the food industry is in Pontivy in Brittany, and still serves the world with certain Linpac products. It was opened in 1980 manufacturing PVC stretch films. Now its 400 employees produce flexible packaging for every application – from the reels of cling film found in households around the world to giant rolls of MAP lidding film weighing more than 1000kg each. This facility serves the customers in packing, retailing, converting and catering worldwide. The production of stretch Polyolefin films was added in 1988, followed by multi-layer barrier films in 1994 and shrink barrier films in 2006. The facility was recently upgraded further. One investment was a seven-layer film extrusion line to produce sophisticated MAP lidding films for meat packs. More is in the pipeline for 2015.
Linpac introduced its Rfresh Elite to the Australian market this year, which was enthusiastically supported by the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) who has made significant investments to ensure that suitable recycling facilities exist for PET MAP trays to encourage householders to recycle as much as possible.
Another 2014 Linpac development was its antimicrobial packaging. Campylobacter, the bacteria carried in raw chicken flesh for example, is an increasing concern for the entire supply chain. In July, Linpac began producing a range of trays and lidding films with built-in antimicrobial technology to reduce bacteria growth on the outer packaging of fresh meat. Using this packaging helps to prevent cross-contamination during the preparation, processing, packing and distribution of fresh meat. The new trays and lids integrate Addmaster Biomaster antimicrobial technology into their composition. Biomaster is a silver-based additive that can be added into any plastic, paper, textile, paint or coating product. The treated products are then able to reduce the growth of Campylobacter on their surface by up to 99.99%.
Graeme Robinson, managing director, Linpac Australia stated, “With 5.6 million people on the doorstep in Victoria, some 4 million of them living in the capital city itself, and forecasts of huge consumer growth, Melbourne seemed the perfect location for us to further invest to support our growth plans and the Australian food industry in general. With Melbourne’s multicultural welcoming environment and the $27 Billion Government spending that is going into the City’s road, rail and social infrastructure, it was an easy decision for LINPAC to seek out a site in this great city. “
Alan Davey, Director of Innovation added, “Linpac is thermoforming super cleaned rPET, which is a recycled material sourced from recycled water and fizzy drinks bottles - including right here in Australia. We manufacture rigid, high barrier trays from the material, which are then used by third party packers across Australia to pack a variety of food products. The trays are top sealed with barrier films to create leak proof, food safe, protective packaging, which ensures extended shelf life and fresher foods for Australian customers.”
