Smurfit Kappa Colombia Unveils US$50 Million Cardboard Plant Project in Guarne, Antioquia
Smurfit Kappa Colombia on January 4 announced a US$50 million investment in a new corrugated-cardboard plant in Guarne, Antioquia, just east of Medellin.
To make way for the new plant, Smurfit Kappa recently sold a lot in Medellin that hosts its existing, 60-years-old “Carton de Colombia” plant.
Colombia Real Estate Fund-FIC, Arquitectura y Concreto and Londoño Gómez paid Smurfit Kappa US$50.3 million to acquire the Medellin lot for a new urban-development project, according to Smurfit.
“As of the first quarter of 2021, the construction of the new plant [in Guarne] begins, with an investment of US$50 million, including a totally new, state-of-the-art corrugator [production line], and new printing and finishing machines for cardboard boxes, as well as relocation of the current plant equipment,” according to the company.
“The new plant will enter into operation towards the end of 2023, with 50% greater capacity and designed to grow modularly until its capacity is doubled.
“In this way, Smurfit Kappa will generate more quality jobs in the region, both in the construction phase — around 345 direct and indirect jobs — and with the expansion of its production capacity. It will also strengthen its portfolio of packaging solutions for the mass consumption, industrial and agricultural sectors, including flowers and bananas, among others.”
The new plant will have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification “for sustainable construction and will make available to customers a ‘packaging experience center,’ a space dedicated to innovation, where they can experience the design of their packaging with cutting-edge methodologies and tools, exclusive to Smurfit Kappa,” according to the company .
According to Alvaro José Henao, President of Smurfit Kappa for Colombia, Ecuador, Central America and the Caribbean, “with a market that increasingly demands sustainable, innovative and efficient packaging, investing in Colombia continues to be a great bet for the Smurfit Kappa Group.”
