Plastic packaging manufacturer Berry Global is committing $20 million to expand its capacity and capabilities for hygiene, healthcare, and specialty films in North America, the firm announced in a release Wednesday. 

During the project, the company plans improve its extrusion and printing capabilities, add capacity for the its Sof-Flex technology, and install new flexographic printing equipment. The catalyst for the effort is increased demand for breathable film and sustainable products, according to the company. 

“As a global leader in films and nonwovens, we are continuing to invest around the world,” said Curt Begle, president of Berry’s Health, Hygiene, and Specialties division, in a statement. “Our focus on serving the North American market with advanced technology remains a high priority for our business.”

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The project is linked to Berry Global’s sustainability strategy, Impact 2025, that was announced last year. As part of the effort, the company is working to make improvements in three key sustainable product areas in hygiene – light-weighting, sustainable materials, and products that are designed to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable. 

“We are excited to expand the capacity of sustainable products in the North American market. As a longstanding industry partner, we look forward to continued innovation alongside our customers,” Robert Weilminster, executive vice president and general manager of Berry’s hygiene markets in the U.S. and Canada. 

Berry’s expansion is slated to be operational in 2020 at its U.S. network of breathable film production plants. The company said the project is the first of three phases of its expansion of Sof-Flex film production, which is planned to reach completion in 2022. 

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