RKW Launches Sustainable Product Line for Packaging Industry

Franklin (KY), USA, August 30, 2019 – At the PackExpo and Healthcare show in Las Vegas, USA, RKW will display its wide range of special engineered films and nonwovens for a large variety of applications in the flexible packaging industry.

A highlight at PackExpo will be the range of films that are particularly sustainable and meet the requirements of customers who place special emphasis on sustainable materials and recyclability. This line encompasses films, which can be used to produce fully recyclable stand-up pouches as well as others, which contain various degrees of recycled post-consumer raw material (PCR). RKW is also investing in new technologies that enable the development of unique films that offer new opportunities in saving raw materials.

In addition, RKW will present the latest developments in its film portfolio that includes mainly monolayer, multi-layer barrier films including EVOH and/or Nylon for many different packaging but also industrial applications. This includes easy-tear films that ensure easy opening of the package and thus excellent consumer convenience and forming and non-forming films.

The RKW portfolio also covers a wide range of films for packaging applications such as hybrid shrink-/ stretchhoods and RKW ProVent^® bags especially for powdery goods. RKW will also show household and industrial products that include different kinds of bags such as easy-opening bags, which are particularly suitable for bakeries, and gel packs. Especially for the beverage industry, RKW displays shrink bundle films. Moreover, the exhibits will include RKW HyJet^® - hydroentangled nonwovens that is used in special packaging and agricultural applications. Another long-term success are RKW’s FPO^® films that show a similar performance to paper and are used in different wrapping applications.

Investment in the US

As RKW announced on February 15, the company is investing close to $19 million in its production Site in Franklin, Kentucky. The purpose of the investment is to strengthen the company’s position in North America. The expansion of the Site will create 30 new full-time jobs.

The North American Site expansion includes the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility and investments in new, state-of-the-art equipment that will support the planned growth of its business in both the hygiene and in our special-engineered films markets. Groundbreaking took place in May 2019, the construction is in progress and is planned to be completed in February next year.

“Our business in North America is growing rapidly and we are responding to new needs and challenges in the market,” said Kenneth Budlong, General Manager RKW North America. He added, “As part of our global expansion, we are making this significant investment to support the growth of our business in the Americas, and to provide the quality and service that our customers expect of a top supplier.”

Paul Walter, Director Sales RKW North America: “RKW is proud of its record and reputation as a reliable business partner who supplies high-performance films. At the PackExpo 2019 and Healthcare tradeshows, we will present sustainable film solutions, which significantly contribute to the success of our customers and their customers.”

During the 3-day tradeshow, our team of experts will be happy to discuss all challenges, talk about new products and will welcome customers and visitors alike. Meet the RKW team at PackExpo 2019: Booth #7797.