A Spanish packaging producer, which acquired an injection moulding plant in Hungary from the US Nypro group just over a year ago, has expanded capacity at the plant.

Since taking over the facility in Nagyigmánd, family-run Plasticos Castella of Tortosa, Spain upgraded production, investing around €5m installing additional equipment including 11 new injection moulding machines. It has also installed process automation equipment.

Today the Catalan thin wall food container moulding specialist still owns the Hungarian business jointly with Nypro, though the US group only holds a 20% residual stake. The plant is Plasticos Castella’s only production facility outside Spain.

Formation of the Hungarian joint venture, renamed PlastiCast Hungary in late 2010, was part of the Spanish processor’s strategic plan to expand to serve its global customers. Its clientele include food and beverage giants like Proctor & Gamble, Tetra Pak and Fleury Michon.

PlastiCast Hungary‘s products range from plastic lids, screw caps, closures and packaging containers in a variety of materials and sizes, with or without in-mould labelling. The eastern European plant also serves the healthcare sector.

Apart from fresh capital investment, the new Spanish owner has begun to initiate new product development in Hungary and aims to extend the customers and market segments it serves. Plasticos Castella retained the Nypro Hungary workforce intact.

Plasticos Castella has made clear it relishes the opportunity to follow its major customers to other parts of the world and set up plants from which to supply them. It is looking for business opportunities in North and South America and Asia.

In addition the Catalan moulder, which also makes moulds, is seeking suitable potential acquisitions and expects future growth both in Spain and in Hungary. The Hungarian acquisition will allow the firm to serve customers in northern and central Europe, while supplying those in the region’s south from Tortosa, it is reported to have said.

The 5,000 m2 PlastiCast plant used to concentrate on moulding components for consumer electronics when it was launched by Nypro, but later switched to packaging after electronics manufacturing moved to Asia.