Belgian thermoformed plastic packaging producer ANL Plastics (Wellen; www.anlplastics.com) is expanding its production through a new partnership with plastics machinery manufacturer Kiefel (Freilassing / Germany; www.kiefel.com). ANL Plastics’ CEO Tony Neven said, “We shall continue to invest in the expanding of our sites in Belgium, France and Poland, in order to continue the positive company development. To this end, we have decided in favour of a long-term partnership with Kiefel.”

ANL Plastics has placed an order with Kiefel for 20 machines. “Working for ANL Plastics, we were able to combine the strengths of our 'KMD Speedformer' with a number of custom solutions desired by the customer,” said Erwin Wabnig, director of Kiefel’s packaging industry division. “The extra-long heating section and special additional functions in the stacking station ensure the maximum in flexibility with a diverse spectrum of parts.”

ANL Plastics develops and manufactures mostly bespoke thermoformed plastic packaging, and has production facilities at its headquarters in Wellen, as well as in Cahors / France and Dabrowa Górnicza / Poland. It has about 350 employees at its Wellen site, 60 in Cahors and 50 in Dabrowa Górnicza. Output from the Cahors facilities is aimed at France and southern Europe, while the Dabrowa Górnicza plant supports ANL Plastics’ pan-European development strategy, with a focus on growing eastern European demand, the company says on its website.

ANL Plastics has three key markets: confectionary, including interiors and trays for chocolates and biscuits; food, including platters for fish and meats, bowls for fruit and vegetables and containers for salads and ready-to-eat meals; and non-food, such as consumer blister packaging and shock-resistant packaging.