US flexible packaging specialist Sealed Air Corp. has launched production at a new 9.5 million euro food packaging plant at Volgograd in southwestern Russia.
Group subsidiary CJSC Sealed Air Kaustik opened the facility in a renovated factory on the Volgograd industrial complex of local partner, Russian chemicals company JSC Kaustik.
The Sealed Air Kaustik operation is set to produce a range of pack products including multi-layer polypropylene film packaging for the processed meat industry. It is already equipped with 500 kilograms per hour capacity production lines and employs an initial workforce of 45.
Volgograd plant is expected to increase its workforce later to 68 and will install production lines with a capacity of 800 kilograms per hour, according to an announcement by the Volgograd regional government.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Sealed Air first entered the Russian market in September 1993 when the now merged packaging business Cryovac set up joint venture production with Kaustik at Volgograd.
Sealed Air has contributed to the transformation of fresh food packaging in Russia since then. Even in 1994, meat products were still largely wrapped by the seller in paper.
“The impact of Sealed Air on the purchasing and eating habits of Russian consumers is a success story in itself. Extended shelf life has been a door opener for increased accessibility of fresh food, without preservatives, all over the vast country,” the U.S. firm said in August 2013 when it celebrated 20 years in Russia.
In 2007, Sealed Air launched its Cryovac tray business which at the time was a complete novelty pack in Russia.
In 2013, Sealed Air announced its Russian operation had achieved annual sales worth more than 113 million euros and employed around 500 in the country.
Sealed Air, which offers diverse widely recognized flex pack packaging brands including Cryovac and Bubble Wrap around the globe, posted 2015 sales of $7 billion.