Swiss flexible packaging maker Aluflexpack (Reinach; www.aluflexpack.com) has reported growth in the first three months of 2021, with the group achieving turnover of EUR 62.5m, an increase of 12.7% compared to the same period last year. The manufacturer also announced an 8.8% rise in sales, a figure that excludes the Polish packaging manufacturer Top-System (Tarnowo Podgórne; www.top-system.pl/en) acquired in September 2020 (see Plasteurope.com of 23.11.2020).

Aluflexpack said it is currently investing around EUR 65m in the expansion of its manufacturing facilities in Croatia to increase the production and storage area at the sites in Omis and Drnis by 13,000 m² and to provide additional pre-treatment and coating capacities for aluminium films. “We will start ramping up the new capacity on schedule in the fourth quarter of 2022,” CEO Igor Arbanas said.

Given the current market environment, the group confirmed its outlook for 2021 issued in February. The executive board said it expects revenues between EUR 260m and EUR 270m and an EBITDA before non-recurring effects between EUR 40m and EUR 43m.

With flexible packaging solutions for end markets such as coffee and tea, pharmaceuticals, pet food, confectionery and dairy products, the Swiss group, which employs around 1,300 people across Europe, achieved sales of EUR 239m last year, an annual increase of 15%. In addition to its domestic plants, the pouch specialist has production sites in France, Poland, Turkey, and four facilities in Croatia.