Lurgan manufacturing company Huhtamaki is creating 20 jobs as it gets ready to make the world’s first recyclable ready-meal tray.
The product will help reduce the amount of plastic sent to landfill globally by replacing the black plastic trays which are currently widely used.
Known as Huhtamaki Fresh, the new trays are currently being used across retailer Waitrose’s Italian ready meal range and have already saved 160 tonnes of plastic from going to landfill.
The plant at the Lurgan site will allow Huhtamaki to ramp up production and meet growing demand for the product.
Huhtamaki Fresh trays feel like cardboard, are Forest Stewardship Council certified, are able to be rinsed and recycled in the same manner as paper or can be composted at home.
With regulations rapidly tightening around single-use plastics, other retailers are expected to follow suit in the future, creating significant demand for alternative recyclable products.
The company is currently hiring for the new positions which include cell coordinators, production operatives, and maintenance technicians ahead of the plant’s full commissioning.
Huhtamaki currently employs around 230 people at the Lurgan plant which also makes egg boxes, drinks carriers and other moulded paper products.
With regulations rapidly tightening around single-use plastics, other retailers are expected to follow suit in the future, creating significant demand for alternative recyclable products.
Richard Smith, General Manager of Huhtamaki (Lurgan), said there is a bright future for the plant.
“This is one of the most exciting phases in the life of Huhtamaki in Lurgan, so far, and we want to expand our committed team to prepare for the next stage of that journey,” he said. “Our new Huhtamaki Fresh tray does away with the need for black plastic, revolutionising the ready meal market and opening up vast potential for a product which is produced right here in County Armagh.
“We are providing the answers to some of the biggest issues facing the packaging world today while at the same time offering one of the most rewarding careers for the right candidates.”
Jill Sloan, Human Resources Manager at Huhtamaki (Lurgan), urged candidates to apply.
“These are exciting opportunities for people who want to work in a global, innovative business at the cutting edge of product development. Our people are at the heart of the business here at Huhtamaki and we make sure we provide an environment which allows our employees to grow and thrive.”
Applications for the new roles are open now at: https://huhtamaki.getgotjobs.co.uk/home
Huhtamaki’s parent company also owns Huhtamaki Foodservice Belfast which manufactures drinks cups and recently announced a major investment in a new factory in Antrim where it will make paper straws for McDonald’s, again replacing a plastic product.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
