Packaging manufacturer Albéa has opened a new US$7 million production site near Milan.

The 18,400 square metre site located in the village of Bottanuco will employ 250 people and has the capacity to produce 160 million units per year. It has been fitted with production technologies such as injection-blow moulding, integrated injection, decoration, surface treatment and assembly lines and will become the group’s ‘European Centre of Excellence’ for mascara, lip-gloss and eyeliner.

The plant consolidates production from two former industrial sites in Verderio and Imbersago, which had been operating for nearly 35 years in the Milan  area.                                                                                             

To improve the site’s environmental efficiency, Albéa has incorporated a trigeneration heating and cooling system, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reuses heat for other energy needs.

Guillaume de Demandolx, Executive VP, Albéa Cosmetic Rigid Packaging, commented, ‘The creation of this European Mascara Centre of Excellence demonstrates our commitment to supporting our customers with their product launches.

“This completely integrated site should not only improve our responsiveness and industrial efficiency but should also allow us to offer a wider range of high value-added services. It will also make it easier for our customers and teams to work together.”

The new site adds to Albéa’s portfolio of plants in Mexico, Brazil and China.