Home Vitopel, a member for over 15 years of Think Plastic Brazil, a portfolio of solutions for the plastic products sector in the internationalization process for target markets, carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and INP (National Plastics Institute), is advancing in the incorporation of the revolutionary BOBST EXPERT K5 metallizer, a technological milestone in the flexible packaging segment.
This state-of-the-art equipment, the first to be installed in Brazil, is a pioneering and strategic move that solidifies Vitopel’s commitment to excellence and innovation. The arrival of the new metallizer also marks a new chapter in the company’s expansion journey, expanding its range of solutions to new product categories, in addition to strengthening its prominent position in international markets.
When it starts operating, the machine will begin the national production of a new generation of flexible metallized BOPP films that allows the replacement of the multi-material structure with the mono-material, designed for recycling, bringing a new level of protective barrier – superior to what already exists –, also being a vector of transformation for the industry by promoting a longer shelf life of packaged products, with the potential for packaging recyclability, as well as high energy efficiency, processing facilities and waste reduction.
According to Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director & Think Plastic Brazil CPO, “Vitopel is at the forefront of innovation with its new metallizing machine, which represents a significant advance for metallized flexible films. This strategic investment reinforces the company’s commitment to excellence and promotes advanced solutions for various markets, standing out on the international stage.”
Since 2023, Vitopel has been making strategic and complementary investments in the implementation of the BOBST EXPERT K5, focusing mainly on the extrusion line, where significant improvements and updates have been applied. The goal is to ensure advances in the quality of the raw material used by the new metallizer, which in turn will enable the company to explore new markets. The products benefited include dairy products, such as processed cheese and powdered milk, as well as oilseeds – peanuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts – and powdered coffee. These are just a few examples of segments that demand the advanced features provided by the new technology. In addition, Vitopel expects a 40% increase in its annual production capacity of metallized films, measured in tons, which will allow it to substantially expand its exports, reaching key markets in Latin America and, in particular, North America.
The acquisition of this advanced equipment also reiterates Vitopel’s desire and ability to anticipate the needs and, possibly, exceed the expectations of brand owners and converters in the search for innovative solutions that combine improvements in production efficiency and technical excellence, helping to intensify the great wave of sustainable substrates that will define the future of the planet.
The new metallizer is expected to start operating in the second half of 2024, marking a crucial moment in a broad modernization program for Vitopel’s facilities.
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil began its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 220 companies. During this period, the Portfolio promoted 4,773 participations by companies in the sector in 240 specifically Commercial Promotion projects, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with over US$1.247 billion in business generated and a total investment of US$12.338 million, achieving an impressive ROI of US$101.04 for every dollar invested.
For those interested in joining the Portfolio, please contact Richard Assis via email at richard.assis@thinkplasticbrazil.com or visit the website thinkplasticbrazil.com
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.
The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastics Institute (INP) emerged amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastics market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representation are due to the union of the Brazilian Association of the Plastic Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry (ABIQUIM) and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
The objective of INP, as a sectoral technological entity, is to be the backbone of the entire plastic production chain in Brazil. To this end, the entity maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards for the manufacture of better quality products.
