Huhtamaki opens paper straw factory in Antrim, N. Ireland

Finnish food and drink packaging specialist Huhtamaki is celebrating the opening of its newest food packaging manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland. The factory is in the town of Antrim, not far from Belfast and is set to employ around 100 people in the area. The new facility is Huhtamaki's third such site in Northern Ireland, employing over 560 people all together.

The Antrim facility will specialise initially in the manufacture of paper straws. There are plans, going forward, to expand the product range that is manufactured at the site to include other paper-based products.

The first wave of manufacturing equipment is taken into use during 2019 and further investments in additional manufacturing equipment are planned for 2020-2022.

"At Huhtamaki we are continuously looking for ways to improve the environmental performance of our products and to introduce new, more sustainable packaging innovations," says Ciaran Doherty, General Manager for Huhtamaki Foodservice in Northern Ireland.

"The launch of our paper straws is a good example of this. We are extremely proud to support our customers in their strategy to have a more sustainable and environmentally responsible supply chain by opening this new site," he added.

Huhtamaki paper straws and wrapping are made from 100% sustainably managed forests and made with new, purpose-built machinery. The company is planning to expand paper straw manufacturing to other sites in Europe throughout 2019.

Back to Homepage

Back to Consumer Goods