Essel Propack (Mumbai / India; www.esselpropack.com), the world’s leading laminate tube manufacturer, has opened a new plant in Cali / Colombia, to serve growing demand from local and regional customers.

The plant, which has been designed to support future capacity expansions, will manufacture 180m tubes annually, and includes capability to make Essel’s new-generation laminated tubes for the high-value beauty and cosmetics markets. A pharmaceutical clean room is also available.

Regional vice president Ted Sojourner said the company has now established its gateway to South America. “Essel Colombia is a significant strategic event for our continued long-term growth and development in Colombia and throughout the South America continent,” he commented.

As well as servicing the local beauty, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food markets, the facility will cater for growing export opportunities in the adjacent Andean markets of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Chile, as well as the rest of South America.