Global packaging company, Huhtamaki has officially opened its new facility in Antrim creating over 100 new jobs.
The new factory based in Kilbegs Business Park, will be the first facility in Ireland to produce high quality sustainable paper straws.
Opening the new premises was McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer for UK & Ireland, John Park. Mr Park’s visit follows McDonald’s announcement last year that they will roll-out paper straws to more than 1,300 UK and Irish restaurants in 2019.
Earlier this year, Huhtamaki announced a global investment in its paper straw capacity within its foodservice business segment, starting in Northern Ireland. Huhtamaki plans to invest approximately £12million over a five-year period, with the new facility creating 100 new jobs, supported by an offer from Invest Northern Ireland.
Speaking about the investment, General Manager of Huhtamaki Food Services Belfast, Ciaran Doherty commented: “We are delighted to welcome John Park to officially open our new facility in Antrim and we are committed to growing our strategic partnership with McDonald’s and to delivering innovation in new product categories.
“We are proud to be a fast moving, innovative partner, capable of adapting to our customer’s needs. We value McDonald’s trust in us and today celebrate another landmark in a relationship that now spans over 30 years.
“Our sustainably sourced paper straws are made with new, purpose-built machinery to deliver a premium product with 100% of paper used in all straws and wrapping, PEFC certified. Starting with Antrim, Huhtamaki plans to expand its manufacturing capacity into other key markets across Europe and globally.”
John Park, Chief Financial Officer for UK & Ireland said: “Last year our customers asked us to change our plastic straws to paper ones, we listened and are making that switch with the support and partnership of suppliers like Huhtamaki. We are proud to be doing the right thing in rolling out paper straws across our UK and Irish restaurants, and will continue to invest in making our business as environmentally sustainable as possible – this is just one step on that journey.”