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August 20, 2023 — Houston, Texas: This was the day—the day the packaging industry awaited with bated breath. GlobalPack Industries, one of the largest manufacturers of packaging materials, opened a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Houston, Texas, for the manufacture of PVC film especially intended for use in blister packaging. Among those present at the launch were key figures from the industry, local government authorities, and company bosses. This marked a significant step in production capacity expansion for GlobalPack. Key People Present The event was spearheaded by GlobalPack CEO, Emily Carter, who was flanked by Texas Governor, Jake Martinez, and Houston Mayor, Maria Hernandez. The representatives were from the pharmaceutical, electronics, and consumer goods industries, signaling that this new facility would indeed affect a wide array of sectors. Reasons for Expanding This increase in production was based on a steep rise in demand for PVC film in blister packaging. The COVID-19 pandemic brought higher demands on safe and tamper-evident packaging, notably from the pharmaceutical industry. Substantially relying on the blister packs in medication protection and dispensing, their demands surged. Moreover, consumer electronics adds to pressures on existing capacities with protective packaging. According to Emily Carter, "Our customers need trustworthy, high-quality PVC film for their packaging solutions. This new facility is the direct response to those needs, ensuring that we can answer the growing demand without ever compromising our commitment to sustainability and innovation." The Manufacturing Process The facility in Houston represents a cutting-edge plant capable of producing PVC film of high quality to meet the stringent requirements for blister packaging. It starts polymerizing vinyl chloride monomers into PVC resin and then extrudes and biaxially orients the film. State-of-the-art machines equipped in this facility are able to produce film with well-controlled thickness and surface properties to meet all customer-specific needs. The facility is also designed with sustainability in mind. Energy-efficient processes and recycling of industrial waste are integrated in the facility in order to minimize its impact on the environment. "We invested in technology that would make a better product but would also lower our carbon footprint," said Carter during the launch. Results of the Expansion A new facility in Houston will increase GlobalPack's PVC film production capacity by 40%. This means significantly reduced lead times to any customer located anywhere in North America. This will also mean the creation of more than 200 new jobs within the Houston area, providing a boost to the local economy. This first batch of PVC film from the new facility is due to be shipped to major pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturers by the end of September 2023. Initial tests indicate that the film is well within industry standards in terms of clarity, durability, and resistance to chemicals, and can thus be used in a large variety of blister packaging applications. Industry Effects The opening of GlobalPack's new facility is likely to create a chain reaction within the packaging industry. With more volumes of high-quality PVC film made available, it raises the performance and reliability standards for blister packaging—thereby motivating further innovation in this direction for packaging design, particularly for where safety and tamper evidence come first. The facility will most likely set a new standard within the industry toward sustainability and push other manufacturers to be greener. "This is more than just an expansion; it's a commitment to the future of packaging," said Carter. Conclusion