At the Greven site, the Group is installing the latest offset printing technology with the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106X-7+L and is commissioning a new die-cutter in Kecskemét, Hungary, with the Heidelberg MK Powermatrix 106 CSB, with a second machine of the same type to follow at the beginning of 2022.
„With these investments, we are significantly expanding our capacities in the area of high-quality carton folding boxes,“ says STI Group CEO Jakob Rinninger. „In doing so, we are recognising the continuous growth of the two folding carton sites and consolidating our strategic direction. In this way, we are also supporting the successful development of our customers and, with the Substitution of plastic packaging with fibre-based solutions an important contribution to greater sustainability.“
The importance of the segment for the STI Group is also reflected in the Group's re-entry into the Folding Carton Industry Association (FFI). „The work of the FFI association stands for valuable dialogue. Especially when it comes to developing political, legal and technical framework conditions, we want to fulfil our corporate responsibility and play an active role“, says Rinninger. CEO Jakob Rinninger wants to play a greater role in shaping developments in the industry by participating in various committees, particularly in the context of sustainability.
„We are delighted to welcome the STI Group, one of the most innovative packaging manufacturers and a founding member of the FFI, back into our circle of members. We are convinced that the exchange at association level is of great added value for all sides“, comments Christian Schiffers, Managing Director of the FFI.
Productivity increase in Hungary
The folding carton segment in particular is benefiting from the Development towards ever more sustainable packaging solutions. The STI Group's Hungarian site has significantly increased its production volumes in recent years and, according to the company, generates a total output of over 80 million euros. According to the company, this makes the plant one of the largest folding carton sites in Europe. Many well-known manufacturers of branded goods have finished folding cartons and pharmaceutical packaging produced in Kecskemét. The Group expects the two new die-cutting machines to significantly increase productivity.
The latest printing technology in Greven
The STI Group's Greven plant also specialises in folding cartons. Packaging is expected to be printed on the new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106X-7+L from the end of November. STI Group customers can look forward to creative options for finishing their packaging: as a hybrid press with seven inking units and a coating unit, the press processes both conventional and UV inks and coatings, prints special coatings via a metallic kit and produces even higher-quality print images on silver foil-laminated materials and natural surfaces. „With these investments, we are consolidating our strategic focus in packaging and will be able to meet our customers' demand for sustainable fibre-based and highly refined packaging even better and more efficiently in future“, says Rinninger.
SourceSTI Group
