Sirane opens production site in Czech Republic as region’s environmental demands grow

04 Jan 2022 --- Sirane is opening up a new manufacturing site in the Czech Republic to answer growing consumer demand for environmentally sustainable packaging, such as recyclable and plastic-free solutions, in Central and Eastern Europe. 

With the new site launching in February, the UK-based biodegradable packaging specialist is planning to manufacture an increasing amount of its products for this region in the Czech Republic.

Sirane Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is located in Hranice, a town in eastern Czech Republic with proximity to Poland and Slovakia. The new branch will be the company’s fifth site, having established locations in the UK, Russia, Mexico and South Africa. 

The company’s marketing manager Mark Lingard tells PackagingInsights: “Central and Eastern Europe is no different to the rest of Europe in the sense that [environmentally] sustainable packaging is certainly at the forefront of people’s thinking and becoming increasingly important.” 

“We supply packaging and try to encourage our customers to take compostable or plastic-free where possible.” 

Geographical advantages
Sirane owner and managing director, Simon Balderson, says the new site in Hranice is a “key part” of the company’s expansion plans for the next few years, and will allow it to manufacture within easy reach of much of Central and Eastern Europe.

Sirane's new manufacturing site in the Czech Republic.“The location is ideal, situated in the heart of Europe, with excellent transport links, and we’ve been able to recruit an excellent team,” continues Lingard.

“Not only does it offer us access to the Czech Republic, but also Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and more.”

Lingard explains the company wanted a manufacturing site in central Europe, close to good transport links and allowing to better serve existing customers, as well as gain new business. 

Product range and manufacturing 
Sirane CEE will offer its entire product range, notably absorbency, flexible packaging including bags, pouches and films, and board-based products.

The intention is to manufacture more products in the Czech Republic if they are for the Central and Eastern European market, reiterates Lingard.

“We’re currently setting up machinery and the intention is to be manufacturing by the end of February. In terms of output, it will depend very much on the business brought in by the team based out there,” he adds. 

However, Balderson says the initial manufacturing in Hranice will focus on absorbent products. These include: absorbent pads for meat, seafood and fruit, ovenable pads and compostable pads.

Furthermore, Sirane’s flexible packaging range entails “plastic-free pouches and films, cooking bags, recyclable pouches, films and more” while its board range includes “a wide range of products such as salmon boards, cake boards, pizza boards, susceptor boards and plastic-free tree-guards,” notes Balderson.Sirane’s plastic-free, recyclable and paper-based Earthpouch. 

Learning from experience
Lingard says Sirane will be selling into processors, packers and the FMCG industry. 

“Our experience is while there may be differences locally, often the fundamental needs of the industry are the same.”

“They still have the same need for short lead times, still need the flexibility Sirane can provide, still have the same shelf life issues to deal with and still need their food to look good on the shelf.”

“We’ve learned from our experiences elsewhere that if you get the basics right – quality, short lead times and reliable service – then that’s a very good start. If you can then add some genuine packaging innovation into the mix, people sit up and take notice.”

Sirane is known for its Earthpouch, a plastic-free recyclable paper-based pouch suitable for coffee, confectionery, vitamins, healthcare supplements, cereals and more. 

Meanwhile, the company has signed a licensing agreement with Koepala, widening the market for its single-portion packaging. The Koepala design creates pop-up bowls, drinks cartons and more – supplied flat – for the food-to-go, takeaway and retail sectors.

By Natalie Schwertheim