Nelipak opens new healthcare packaging facility in Costa Rica

USA – Nelipak has broken ground on a state-of-the-art production facility in Costa Rica’s Green Valley, Grecia, Alajuela.

The 60,000-square-foot plant, slated to open in mid-2026, is poised to enhance Nelipak’s regional capacity, delivering innovative packaging solutions to the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors.

The new facility, developed in collaboration with Costa Rican real estate developer Portafolio Inmobiliario, will feature advanced production capabilities, including thin- and heavy-gauge thermoforming, die-cut pouch cards, and inserts. 

Designed to meet rigorous industry standards, the site will boast ISO 13485 certification and ISO-7 cleanroom manufacturing space, ensuring top-tier quality for sterile-barrier packaging.

According to Nelipak, this expansion will strengthen its ability to serve South American and Caribbean markets while supporting future growth through enhanced warehousing and distribution capabilities.

“This investment underscores our long-term commitment to our customers in Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting our strategy to provide global excellence with strong local support,” said Nelipak CEO Pat Chambliss in a statement. 

The facility aligns with the company’s focus on sustainability, incorporating operational efficiencies to meet evolving customer demands.

Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, praised the project, highlighting its economic and environmental impact. 

“We congratulate Nelipak for its commitment to innovation, quality employment, and sustainable growth, which benefits our country and the region,” Tovar remarked. 

The plant reinforces Costa Rica’s growing reputation as a hub for medical device manufacturing, bolstered by its robust life sciences ecosystem.

Nelipak, a global leader with 1,400 employees across 11 sites, has been a key player in Costa Rica since acquiring ATE in 2012, supplying custom packaging to leading medical device manufacturers. 

The new facility will further solidify its role in the global healthcare supply chain, offering scalable solutions to meet rising demand.

In a related development, Nelipak recently announced plans to expand its flexible packaging capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a report by the company. 

This follows the opening of its first North American flexible packaging site in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in November 2024, which features ISO-7 cleanroom space and advanced equipment to support sustainable packaging initiatives. 

These efforts underscore Nelipak’s global strategy to enhance its footprint while prioritizing eco-friendly solutions, positioning the company as a trusted partner in the healthcare packaging industry.

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