Ecolean Production Facility, Landskrona

Ecolean is constructing its second packaging production facility in Landskrona, Sweden, with an investment of approximately €30m ($36m). The facility will employ 100 people upon completion of construction in 2020.

The new production facility will manufacture the company’s lightweight packaging solutions to meet the demand of the liquid food industry.

This project is part of Ecolean’s growth strategy, which is aimed at meeting the growing demand for its products. The company is also developing another production site in Pakistan, which is expected to be opened in 2019.

Ecolean production facility location

The new production facility will be constructed on a 30,000m² site purchased by Ecolean in the Kronan business area in Landskrona, Sweden. It will be located 20km south of the company’s headquarters in Helsingborg, Sweden.

The site purchase agreement includes an option to buy an additional 30,900m² for expanding the site in future.

Ecolean’s lightweight packages

Ecolean’s lightweight packaging products are shaped in the form of a pitcher, making them capable of standing on the shelf. Packaging features an air-filled handle, which provides easy grip and makes it easy to pour.

Packaging uses Ecolean Calymer^™ material film, which is made of plastic and chalk. The film is converted into air-tight packages in different sizes at the company’s production sites.

The Ecolean^® Air range of packages can be used for chilled distribution of liquid food products such as dairy, still drinks, soups, and beverages.

The company’s product range also include the Ecolean^® Air Aseptic packages, which are hermetically sealed and sterilised using electron beam treatment. The Ecolean^® Air Aseptic Clear is a range of transparent packages, which can be used for still drinks such as juice, water, and ice tea.

All packages are approved by the Swedish Rheumatism Association (SRA) and certified as easy-to-use for everyone. The packages are pre-sterilised for ambient distribution, which simplifies the operations of the aseptic packaging plant.

Features of Ecolean’s lightweight packages

Ecolean uses sustainable methods involving minimal usage of raw materials, energy and resources, secure filling and distribution, and low wastage.

The manufacturing process uses fewer polymers and chalk as filler, reducing the amount of plastic. As a result, packages are 50%-60% lighter than a conventional liquid food carton or bottle and can be transported more efficiently.

Ecolean’s Air Aseptic packages don’t need refrigeration, which saves energy. Packages can be emptied completely preventing wastage of product. Further, the packages need less space and lead to low waste volumes by end of their lifecycle.

Marketing commentary on Ecolean

Ecolean is a developer and manufacturer of lightweight packaging and filling machines for the liquid food industry. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Helsingborg, Sweden.

The company has production sites in Sweden and China with commercial operations across 30 countries, including China, Russia, and Pakistan. Local sales offices are in 11 locations with their main activities being sales and technical support.

Ecolean currently employs approximately 400 people and recorded sales of 2.68 billion packages and 35 filling machines in 2017. The company’s Ecolean^® Air and Ecolean^® Air Aseptic ranges won the award for best new technology innovation at the International Beverage Awards in 2018.

Ecolean received ISO 14001 certification for its film production and converting plant in Sweden and China. The company is also part of CEFLEX, which is a European project working to improve flexible packaging by inventing and incorporating better system solutions identified by companies that are in the value chain.