Ahlstrom-Munksjö invests US$40M to upgrade production platform

FINLAND – Manufacturer of fiber-based products firm, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has invested US$40 million to upgrade its production platform in its Beverage & Casing business.

The firm has installed an advanced Voith paper machine line at its Chirnside site in the Scottish Borders.

In addition to enhanced supply-chain security, the investment offers a better product selection, higher quality, and much more manufacturing capacity.

According to the firm, the equipment is currently starting production at a commercial level, opening a new era for the beverage and casing industry.

The Radcliffe long fiber production facility in Scotland has also been enlarged to allow for seamless vertical integration in order to build on the success of the new line.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö Beverage & Casing business Vice President Philippe Sevoz said: “Commissioning the new paper machine allows us to serve our existing customers faster and better whilst facilitating our growth ambitions.

“Thanks to our Chirnside and Radcliffe team’s extensive knowledge and capabilities in Tea, Coffee and Casing we can continue to provide best-in-class innovative and sustainable products to our customers worldwide and can cement our unique position to become our customers’ supplier of choice.”

In addition to the new production line, the company now offers unique Spunbond PLA.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö was one of the early adopters working with PLA, and it took years for the knowledge of this unique technology to develop.

The firm offer BioWeb and Fiber+ offering for tea filter materials, which are both compostable and produced without the use of oil-based heat seal fibers.

It also offers compostable single-serve coffee solutions in both the European and American markets.

The business plans to create customized goods for various uses with these unique capabilities, as demand for sustainable and plastic-free alternatives is growing.

With the recently increased capacity, the company is one of the few manufacturers with a completely worldwide manufacturing imprint, logistics flexibility and product availability in North America.

Award of Platinum level rating by EcoVadis

Meanwhile, the company’s continuous efforts have now been rewarded, placing the group among the top 1% of companies assessed by EcoVadis.

The rating is an improvement from Gold level rating, which was previously rated in 2019. The score increased especially in Environmental performance and Labour & Human rights.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized rating system that brings visibility to sustainability performance.

The EcoVadis methodology builds on international sustainability reporting principles, including the Global Reporting Initiative, United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000, and is audited by independent sustainability experts.

With this process, Ahlstrom-Munksjö ensures that its Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance System continuously supports the group’s sustainability ambition and strategy, and answers challenges like emission reduction and resource efficiency.

It also confirms that the company deploys responsible sourcing and transition to circular economy, equal opportunities and well-being in the workplace as well as positive contribution to its local communities, transparency and ethics.

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