SIG Combibloc, part of the Swiss international packaging giant SIG, has begun to construct its first factory in China today.
The factory is located in Suzhou Industry Park and will be used for the manufacture of asepsis packaging and related system equipment for beverage and dairy production.
According to the China News, total investment in the factory will be approximately €90 million. The workshop will cover about 20,000 square meters and the factory will cover totally 75,000 square meters. The first part of the project is expected to start production in the first quarter of 2004.
In the foundation-laying ceremony held today, Rademacher, CEO of SIG Combibloc, said that China was one of the most attractive markets for the packaging industry, hiding immense growth potential for the future. Analysts and industry observers expect there will be continuously strong growth momentum in the China packaging market.
SIG Combibloc was founded in 1930. It is affiliated to Switzerland Industry Group (a public company on Zurich Stock Exchange). Combibloc is said to be the second largest asepsis paper packaging company in the world. In 2001, its sales reached €854 million.