Smurfit Kappa (Dublin, Ireland) is continuing to extend its global Bag-in-Box® footprint by acquiring a new facility in Texas, US.

The packaging leader has strengthened its Vitop® tap manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of an injection facility in San Antonio. The Vitop® tap occupies the No. 1 position in the world for wine taps and has revolutionised the Bag-in-Box® system due to its tamper-proof design and extended shelf life.

The new plant will play an important part in the US market. Premium bag-in-box wines are a rapidly growing segment in the North America beverage sector. Smurfit Kappa has also seen increased demand for liquid packaging solutions for olive oil, water, fruit juice and motor oil.

A series of investments will be made to equip the new 100,000 sq. ft. facility with additional technology to provide a number of Bag-in-Box® solutions including the new Delta tap for rigid packaging.

"Acquiring this new US facility is an important milestone for Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box®," said Didier Pontcharraud, CEO of [Smurfit Kappa] Vitop®.

"The new plant will support the growth we’re seeing in both the wine and non-food markets in the Americas and will facilitate the development of state-of-the-art new dispensing technologies."

When up and running fully, the new plant will employ 70 employees. Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box® operates in 12 countries worldwide.