Healthcare packaging solutions provider Nelipak has initiated construction of a new facility in Costa Rica's Green Valley, Grecia, Alajuela.

The 60,000ft² industrial facility is being developed in partnership with Costa Rican real-estate developer Portafolio Inmobiliario.

The facility, which is expected to open in mid-2026, will substantially increase Nelipak's capacity and capabilities in the region.

It will expand production capabilities to include thin- and heavy-gauge thermoforming, die-cut pouch cards, and inserts.

The site will boast International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13485 certification and include ISO-7 clean room manufacturing space, adhering to the highest standards for sterile-barrier healthcare packaging.

Nelipak CEO Pat Chambliss expressed excitement about the construction commencement, emphasising the company's dedication to its South American and Caribbean customers.

"This investment underscores our long-term commitment to our customers in Latin America and the Caribbean, and reflects our strategy to provide global excellence with strong local support," said Chambliss.

Costa Rica Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Tovar lauded Nelipak's expansion as a testament to the company's confidence in Costa Rica as a strategic platform for its specialised packaging solutions in the life sciences packaging sector.

"We congratulate Nelipak for its commitment to innovation, the creation of quality employment, and the promotion of sustainable growth for the benefit of our country and the region," Tovar remarked.

Since acquiring ATE in 2012, Nelipak has been operating in Costa Rica, supplying medical device manufacturers with custom packaging products.

The new facility will provide additional warehousing and distribution space, allowing for future growth in line with customer demands.

Nelipak said the new plant reinforces Costa Rica's status as a prime location for medical device manufacturing and underscores its role as a key player in the global healthcare supply chain.

Nelipak employs 1,400 people across 11 sites globally, comprising six sites in North America and five sites in Europe.

Earlier this year, Nelipak said it would invest in the future of sterile-barrier medical packaging in the Asia-Pacific egion, with an intention to extend its capabilities to meet increasing customer requirements.