Walki opens greenfield plant in Poland

Walki Group's new greenfield plant in Wroclaw has been inaugurated, adding an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes to the company's operations.

Initially, the plant will focus on catering to the company’s Consumer Packaging and Forest Industry segments.

Construction of the greenfield plant was completed in less than seven months. The main technology used at the site is extrusion technology, and the first commercial products were delivered in July.

‘We are talking about a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility with the latest automation technology,’ said Timo Finnström, executive vice-president of operations at Walki Group.

Walki Group said that as the markets for both consumer and industrial packaging is growing in Eastern Europe, Poland is the ideal location for it to build a platform for future growth.

Wroclaw is an attractive location because of recent investments in road infrastructure in the area. Hosting one of the highest ranked technology universities in Poland, Wroclaw is also ideal for recruiting highly skilled employees. Its central location, in Southern Poland close to growing markets across the German, Czech and Slovakian borders, minimises Walki's carbon footprint as transportation distances are reduced significantly.

Together with facilities in in Jatne and Kwidzyn near Gdansk, Walki Group now operates three plants in Poland.

Leif Frilund, Walki Group president and chief executive officer, added: ‘Our main markets are in Central Europe. The plant in Wroclaw reduces lead times significantly. Customers can expect to have their deliveries supplied within two weeks.

‘We have set our eyes firmly on Central Europe. Poland offers an optimal location with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Ukraine and the Baltic countries at a close distance. Being close to growing markets is also the environmental-friendly choice.’

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