TURKEY – US-based sustainable packaging provider Sonoco has opened a new protective packaging facility in Turkey, expanding its Sonopost cornerpost manufacturing operations in Europe.

The opening comes a year after the Hartsville, South Carolina-based company opened its first Sonopost manufacturing plant in Sochaczew, Poland.

Adam Wood, Vice President and General Manager of global paper products in Europe for Sonoco said: “Growing demand for our proprietary Sonopost technology created the need for a second production facility.

“Our protective packaging design team is working hard with our customers who are aligned with us in creating fully sustainable, paper-based packaging that protects and preserves both their product and our planet for generations to come.”

According to Sonoco, Sonopost protective packaging solutions provide a sustainable way to protect white goods, like washers, dryers and refrigerators, HVAC systems and heat pumps from manufacturing or shipment damage.

The cornerposts act as an external skeleton for large singular units, bracing and supporting bulk loads and securing them into tight units.

Typical applications include stacking, corner and clamping protection, beam support for displays and a rigid base carrier.

Besides reducing expanded polystyrene (EPS) and plastic packaging, the solution is claimed to help minimize carbon emissions.

Sonopost are made from 100% recycled paperboard sourced from Sonoco mills, and the company says they can re-enter the paper stream after use.

Production at the Turkey facility is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year to meet the growing demand for expanded polystyrene-free packaging.

The new Sonoco Bursa Protective facility will also have a design and testing lab to help customers in the packaging design process.

Earlier last month, Sonoco ThermoSafe added CEVA Logistics to expand its Orion Rental packaging program in Europe, adding a reclamation service station in Brussels.

Sonoco said that CEVA Logistics has been chosen due to its proximity to existing biopharmaceutical customers, prospects and other western European countries.

The Orion Rental Programme offers reusable package packaging for medical, pharmaceutical, and other temperature-sensitive businesses to help achieve sustainability goals.

Meanwhile, in September, Sonoco also acquired Denmark-based Skjern Paper to expand its customer production capacity and convert operations throughout Europe and neighboring areas.

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