High-barrier plastics films manufacturer Evertis has installed a new Coex Cast film production line at its manufacturing site in Pesquería, Nuevo León, Mexico, expanding its capacity for ultra-thin PET-based flexible films.
The line is expected to deliver more than 9,600 tonnes of ultra-thin flexible film, and takes the total manufacturing capacity at the site to more than 44,000t.
The investment extends Evertis’ production capabilities into ultra-thin flexible films, alongside its existing activities in rigid packaging.
Manuel José Matos Gil, chief executive of Evertis, said: “Mexico is a strategic anchor in our North American footprint, and this investment reflects how seriously we take our commitment to the region.
“Bringing advanced Coex Cast technology to Evertis México extends our portfolio into ultra-thin flexible films at a moment when our customers are asking for higher performance from less material.”
Tailored formulations
The new line has six extruders and can produce structures of up to eight layers. According to Evertis, this allows barrier specifications to be adjusted for different applications.
The company said its in-house coextrusion technology can support tailored formulations and the use of recycled content, as well as structures designed to remain compatible with existing PET recycling streams.
The line also provides downgauging capabilities, allowing less material to be used while maintaining mechanical performance, while the films are designed to provide the optical clarity and surface finish required for consumer-facing packaging.
Matt Smith, business development director at Evertis USA, said the company had seen demand in North America for films that can operate reliably at high speeds while reducing material use.
‘Better serve the US market’
“The new Coex Cast line is engineered around these exact requirements,” he said. “It truly strengthens our ability to better serve the US market with a premium packaging offering.”
The investment is intended to support circular economy objectives through material reduction and the incorporation of recycled content. Evertis also said PET-based flexible structures compatible with existing recycling streams could support greater recyclability.
The Mexican expansion follows Evertis’ announcement of plans for a new production plant in Columbia, South Carolina.
The facility represents a total investment of $100 million and is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2028, with commercial sales expected to start in the second quarter.
