Flexible packaging solutions provider Gualapack (Castellazzo Bormida / Italy; www.gualapack.com) in September 2013 opened a new production facility in San Jose / Costa Rica. The plant, which the company says will afford access to the Latin American markets, will produce the complete “Cheerpack DP” spouted stand-up pouch range. "Cheerpack" is particularly suitable for fruit purée, baby food, dairy snacks as well as beverages, sauces and condiments, Gualapack said.

The 2,600 m² facility, part of GualapackGroup, employs almost 30 workers and has already begun operations, the Italian company said. By 2017, the company plans to have raised the workforce of Gualapack Costa Rica to 160.

Gualapack was founded in 2010 when Italian flexible packagers Gualapack and Safta (Piacenza; www.safta.eu) decided to join hands. Since then, Gualapack has steadily built up its international presence, which now includes three plants in Italy and a facility in Romania. In addition, the group operates two joint ventures – Secure Packaging, located in China, as well as Cheer Pack North America, located in the US. Aside from that, Gualapack has also entered into a partnership with Japanese flexible packaging producer Hosokawa Yoko (Tokyo; www.hosokawa-yoko.co.jp), who are also part of the North American JV.