The plastics division of UK-based packaging group DS Smith has invested approximately €2.6m in its injection moulding plant in Bilzen, Belgium.

The facility specialises in moulding beverage crates and pallets and the investment will enable it to increase production capacity by nearly 50%. The company has added four new injection moulding machines.

¡°The investments will allow us to grow even further in other products for markets such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture etc,¡± said Paul Baeyens, managing director of DS Smith¡¯s Plastics¡¯ Injection Moulding business segment.

The company said in a news release that the investments at Bilzen ¡°give the plant a completely new dynamic¡±. The injection moulding machines are 40% more energy-efficient and are equipped with the ¡°very best¡± in-mould labelling robots.

DS Smith has introduced a new internal raw materials supply system and created a new plant layout at Bilzen to ensure an optimum production flow. The investment has also created eight new jobs.

In addition to its large cardboard packaging business, DS Smith has a plastics business focused on three areas: flexible packaging and dispensing solutions, rigid packaging and foam products. The plastics division operates from 28 sites in 14 countries.