LINPAC Packaging, a division of leading UK-based packaging and supply chain specialist LINPAC Group Limited, has opened its first factory in China. The new facility complements the three existing LINPAC Viscount factories in the People's Republic.

LINPAC has invested substantially in a modern production plant at Changzhou in Jiangsu province, about 150km from Shanghai, where it will be manufacturing high quality PVC stretch wrap film for food packaging. Employing 60 permanent staff, the facility has been purpose-built on a 20 000 sq metre site, with the capacity for extension to 50 000 sq metres if required. It was officially opened on 12 June 2008.

The new Chinese factory reinforces LINPAC's global presence and continues the company's rapid development in the Asia Pacific region. It is LINPAC Packaging's first manufacturing site in Asia and means the division now has production facilities on five continents.

Another LINPAC Group division, LINPAC Viscount, has manufacturing operations for plastic pails and containers at Changzhou, Guangzhou and Langfang in China, as well as at locations in Malaysia and Thailand.

The latest facility contains two extrusion lines for the large-scale production of PVC stretch wrap. This material is used by food manufacturers, suppliers and retailers in the manual and automatic wrapping of fresh foodstuffs - in particular for the protection and preservation of meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables.

In the lead-up to the opening of the plant, two Chinese teams spent time at LINPAC's manufacturing facility in Pontivy, France - benefitting from its 25 years' experience in the protective food packaging sector. LINPAC Pontivy is the European market leader in the field of stretch film for food.

Divisional President and Managing Director, Ralf Wunderlich, said: "LINPAC Packaging is committed to serving its customers worldwide. I'm excited to add a Chinese plant - which will be fully supported by our global best practice sharing teams - to our strong Latin American, American, European, Central European and African manufacturing portfolio. I am proud that we now have a divisional presence on five continents."