Nelipak expands global footprint with new healthcare packaging facility in Costa Rica

COSTA RICA – Nelipak, a global provider of healthcare packaging solutions, has announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art production facility in Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The expansion marks a significant milestone in Nelipak’s commitment to supporting the growing medical device sector in the region.

Active in Costa Rica since 2012, Nelipak currently produces thermoformed trays and die-cut mounting cards. The new facility, expected to begin operations by mid-2026, will significantly boost the company’s manufacturing capabilities in Latin America.

Spanning 60,000 square feet, the Class A industrial building will be developed to Nelipak’s specifications by Portafolio Inmobiliario.

The project will be located in Costa Rica Green Valley, a strategic hub for innovation and global business.

“We are pleased to welcome the multinational company to Costa Rica Green Valley,” said Roberto Arguello, project director at Portafolio Inmobiliario.

“The start of construction marks a key step in consolidating our ecosystem as a destination for leading global companies. We’re proud to support Nelipak’s growth through world-class, sustainable infrastructure.”

Designed to meet the stringent quality standards of the healthcare industry, the new plant will be ISO 13485-certified and include ISO-7 cleanroom manufacturing space.

It will house production lines for both thin-gauge thermoforming (used in medical trays and blisters) and heavy-gauge thermoforming (used for deep-draw tubs and trays). Die-cut pouch cards and inserts will also be produced at the site.

The facility will also offer expanded warehouse space to support local distribution of Nelipak’s range of flexible healthcare packaging products. Importantly, the site is designed with room for future expansion to accommodate growing demand.

“We are excited to announce another major investment in our global operating footprint,” said Pat Chambliss, CEO of Nelipak.

“Costa Rica is a significant and growing hub for medical device manufacturing. This new facility underscores our commitment to providing world-class local production capabilities to support our customers regionally and globally.”

The Costa Rica expansion comes just weeks after Nelipak announced new investments in sterile barrier packaging in the Asia-Pacific region.

As part of its APAC strategy, the company is extending its expertise, technologies, and resources to better serve healthcare customers in that market.

Nelipak’s medical packaging portfolio includes custom sterile barrier systems such as die-cut lids, sheets, pouches, and bags.

These are manufactured from materials like Tyvek, medical papers, films, foil laminates, and proprietary heat-seal coatings.

These flexible solutions were added to Nelipak’s offering following its 2019 acquisition of Bemis Healthcare Packaging Europe.

In addition to flexible packaging, Nelipak also provides rigid thermoformed trays and tray-sealing equipment, all tailored to meet the stringent requirements of the global medical device industry.

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