Swiss packaging manufacturer Aluflexpack (Reinach; www.aluflexpack.com) has invested around EUR 70 mn to expand its plant in Drnis, Croatia.

The spending suppored the construction of 13,000 m² of additional production space and the installation of new lines for the processing aluminium and the finishing of flexible packaging made of plastic, paper, and the metal. In total, the moves have increased capacity by 30,000 t/y and created 65 new jobs, the company said.  

Much of the packaging produced in Drnis is exported. “Thanks to the latest investment, this share will increase further,” a company spokesperson said. Drnis is one of a total of four company plants in Croatia alone. Aluflexpack has other production sites in Switzerland, Turkey, France, and Poland. The four Croatian plants – in addition to Drnis, located in Omis, Umag, and Zadar – employ around 1,100 at a company with just under 1,600 employees.

Despite a weaker market environment, Aluflexpack said it increased revenue organically by 12.3% to EUR 190.8 mn in the first half of 2023, compared to total revenue of EUR 357 mn in the previous financial year. Dairy turnover rose 29% due to strong demand in the private label business. The executive board reaffirmed the revenue guidance from April of EUR 390 mn to EUR 430 mn.