International packaging manufacturer Elopak will expand its Little Rock manufacturing facility by another $30 million and add a third production line, the company said Tuesday (Oct. 28).
The firm spent nearly $100 million when it opened the first of two production lines at a state-of-the-art plant at the Little Rock Port Authority in April.[1] The company said global demand of its sustainable Pure-Pak cartons is fueling its new investment.
“This is a significant achievement. Just four months after we officially opened in Little Rock, we are already in the process of adding two new production lines,” said Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi. “This is a testament to the quality of our low-carbon, sustainable Pure-Pak cartons, which are resonating with brands and consumers alike. I’d like to thank all our colleagues at Little Rock and our Americas team for their hard work, dedication, and incredible levels of effort, which are clearly paying off.”
Norwegian-based Elopak produces cartons for liquid dairy products, juices, plant-based drinks, and liquid eggs. Founded in 1957, Elopak announced it would locate at the Little Rock Port in December 2023. It originally was set to be a $70 million investment employing 80 workers, but grew to $100 million and 100 jobs.
The company employs 2,850 worldwide and has 12 manufacturing locations. It produced 16 billion cartons in 2024. The process of using cartons instead of glass products began in 1915 in the milk industry, but reducing glass and plastic containers with recyclable carton materials is a growing consumer trend.
The new line will cost $30 million to bring online and will produce a mix of smaller Pure-Pak cartons, including school milk cartons, the company said.
Production on the second line is predicted to start in 2026. A timetable has not been set for the third line to begin production.
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- ^ at the Little Rock Port Authority in April. (talkbusiness.net)