CKF, Inc. strengthens position in sustainable-packaging market sector with $10 million capital investment
By CKF, Inc.
GeneralAn rPET extrusion facility and additional Earthcycle™ production capacity are made operational.
HANTSPORT, N.S. (Jan. 31st, 2023) – CKF, Inc., is pleased to announce the commencement of operations of two significant capital projects that further support its commitment to growing the sustainable packaging market. In December 2022, CKF began extruding its own rPET at its Rexdale, ON facility and in January 2023, west coast production of its Earthcycle ™ line of thermoformed moulded pulp began at its Langley, B.C. plant.
Earthcycle services growers, packers, and retail customers with FSC certified, home compostable and widely recyclable packaging for the fresh fruit and vegetable markets. The west coast Canadian production, combined with the original Earthcycle production facilities located in Hantsport, N.S., makes CKF the largest global thermoformed pulp manufacturer for this market sector. Having expanded production on the west coast improves access to Earthcycle for markets in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the large and export-oriented growing areas in Latin and South America.
As Canadian retail coalescence around rPET/PET as its number one choice for packaging, CKF made the investment in an extrusion operation to help build the scale and standardization required for a sustainable, circular economy for rPET. The extrusion facility supports CKF’s rPET packaging operations in Delta, B.C. and the recently acquired Packright Manufacturing Ltd.
“Our capital investments are evidence of the commitments that CKF has towards making packaging—whether it be moulded pulp or rPET—widely recyclable or home compostable and in turn helping our customers meet their sustainability goals” says Ian Anderson, President of CKF. “We are well-positioned to offer North American and global customers a range of sustainable packaging solutions that meet the needs of their particular performance criteria.”
CKF will be displaying its entire line up of Earthcycle packaging for produce at its booth at the upcoming Fruit Logistica show (Hall 23 Stand A-30/31) in Berlin from Feb. 8th-10th, 2023. The company will also be displaying its range of rPET and Earthcycle packaging solutions at the CPMA Show in April 2023.
About CKF Inc.
CKF Inc. is a diversified Canadian-owned manufacturer that proudly offers a wide range of moulded pulp, foam, and rPET products to meet the specific demands of retail consumers, food-service operators and the packaging industry. CKF is a member of the Scotia Investments Family of Companies, whose core values include long-term stewardship, environmental integrity, and community well-being.
R.A. Jodrey established Canadian Keyes Fibre Company Limited in the summer of 1933, during the worst of the Great Depression years. The company began with a single plant in Hantsport, N.S., manufacturing pie plates and cake circles for bakeries. CKF has experienced uninterrupted growth since its establishment and now operates five plants in Canada—Hantsport, N.S., Rexdale, Ont., two in B.C.: Langley and Delta, and two plants in the U.S. in Clinton, IA and El Paso, TX—employing over 900 people. Nationally recognized brand Royal Chinet® is one of CKF’s best known products and stands as a symbol for many Canadians—of family, friends, and joyous occasions.
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