Exclusive: Investment grows Avery Dennison film capacity

The plant extension adds one third to the existing 9,000 sq m of operations space and increases top coating capacity by 50 million sq m. The reorganized production operation has allowed Avery Dennison to optimize its wider European film coating operations, resulting in a significant increase of overall capacity. At the same time, the tandem coater offers increased production flexibility.

The new slitting and distribution hall is separated from the coaters by a newly built wall and positive pressure doors, creating a dust-free coating area. The factory extension has allowed the in-sourcing of warehousing, which will greatly increase the plant’s overall efficiency and speed of response.

The plant extension was opened by Angelo Depietri, vice-president/general manager of Avery Dennison’s Materials Group Europe, along with representatives from the Gotha municipality; Avery Dennison was the first major manufacturer to build a plant in the region back in 1997.

Since then the Gotha plant has undergone continued investment, most notably curtain coating technology in 2007. In 2008 top coating capability was added and a third slitter in 2012. The plant currently employs more than 190 people.

Avery Dennison’s European coating operations are divided by adhesive chemistry, and the Gotha specializes in acrylic emulsion. The company develops its own adhesive formulations.

The plant also has access to Avery Dennison’s pilot coater in Leiden, Holland. Depietri emphasized that this facility is also open to the company’s converter customers. ‘We already have regular trials at the request of our customers, but we welcome further collaboration with you on the development of your innovations and custom made products.’

Concluding, Depietri praised the key members of the Gotha team under the leadership of Gilles Collee.

For full story see extended feature in L&L1 21015