Toppan to establish European production site for transparent barrier films in Czech Republic

One of the global leaders in communication, security, packaging, décor materials, and electronics solutions will open a new plant in Most, the Czech Republic. Toppan aims to commence mass production at its first transparent barrier film manufacturing site in Europe by the end of 2024. With the launch of the new plant, Toppan will establish a market-leading and global supply capacity for transparent barrier films with production bases in Japan, North America (Georgia, USA), and Europe.

“By taking advantage of the new plant’s location, Toppan will bolster its capacity to supply GL BARRIER1 transparent barrier films to packaging manufacturers in Europe, where we see some of the world's most environmentally friendly countries, and accelerate sustainable transformation (SX) business globally by strengthening relationships with top-rated companies in the areas of ESG and the SDGs,” said Masahiko Tatewaki, managing executive officer, Toppan’s Global Packaging business. “This plant will also employ the most environmentally friendly technologies, such as heat reuse systems with an emphasis on maximum energy efficiency.”

“We welcome the establishment of Toppan's barrier film factory in the Czech Republic, which will produce eco-friendly and sustainable packaging materials locally with export to Europe and contribute to the development of the Usti region,” said Eva Jungmannova, director - Foreign Activities and Investments, Czech Republic.

Background

Toppan began sales of GL BARRIER transparent barrier films in 1986. Today, Toppan enjoys the leading share of the global market for transparent vapor-deposited barrier films on account of world-class barrier performance and an extensive lineup of products for diverse purposes.

The global packaging market requires environmentally friendly packaging materials that enable efficient use, reproduction, and sustainable recycling of finite resources to drive a circular economy and society. The European Commission has proposed a strategy to reduce plastic waste, and regulations are being considered that would mandate the reuse and recycling of packaging materials and impose a ban on excessive packaging. If such regulations are implemented, manufacturers of packaging materials will in principle, be required to design all packaging materials to be recyclable by January 2030.

In response to these market trends, demand for Toppan’s transparent barrier films, which contribute to resource-saving and recyclability, is increasing significantly, and Toppan has decided to establish a new site.

Overview of planned new company and plant

• Name: Toppan Packaging Czech s.r.o. (locally incorporated company established for the opening of the plant)

• Location: Most, Czech Republic

• Site area: Approx. 50,000 square meters

• Scheduled production start: End of 2024

• Product manufactured: Transparent barrier films

GL BARRIER is Toppan’s proprietary brand of barrier products centered on GL FILM, a transparent film that delivers world-class barrier performance. GL FILM’s stable performance is enabled by a multi-layer structure combining a unique coating layer with a high-quality vapor-deposited layer. In recognition of their numerous outstanding features, GL BARRIER products are used in a wide variety of fields, including the food, medical/pharmaceutical, and industrial materials sectors.