Smurfit Kappa bag in box continues strong growth with new US facility

Packaging Solutions

Smurfit Kappa is continuing to extend its global bag in box footprint by acquiring a new facility in Texas, US.

The company has strengthened its Vitop tap manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of an injection facility in San Antonio. The Vitop tap occupies a leading position in the world for wine taps and has revolutionised the bag in box system due to its tamper proof design and extended shelf life.

The new plant will play an important part in the US market. Premium bag in box wines are a rapidly growing segment in the North America beverage sector. Smurfit Kappa has also seen increased demand for liquid packaging solutions for olive oil, water, fruit juice and motor oil.

A series of investments will be made to equip the new 100,000 square foot facility with additional technology to provide a number of bag in box solutions including the new Delta tap for rigid packaging.

‘Acquiring this new US facility is an important milestone for Smurfit Kappa bag in box,’ said Didier Pontcharraud, CEO of [Smurfit Kappa] Vitop.

‘The new plant will support the growth we are seeing in both the wine and non food markets in the Americas and will facilitate the development of state of the art new dispensing technologies.’

When up and running fully, the new plant will employ 70 employees. Smurfit Kappa bag in box operates in 12 countries worldwide.