TC Transcontinental Packaging is expanding its facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, US. Credit: TC Transcontinental Packaging.
The C$80m expansion is expected to be completed in 2024. Credit: TC Transcontinental Packaging.
The project includes the installation of a dedicated biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) production line at the facility. Credit: BadPixma/Shutterstock.com.

TC Transcontinental Packaging, a flexible packaging company based in Canada, is expanding its manufacturing facility located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, US.

Announced in August 2023, the project includes an estimated investment of C$80m ($60m) and is expected to be completed by 2024.

The expansion is aimed at developing advanced recyclable mono-material flexible plastic packaging solutions catering to the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions and marks a significant step in the company’s journey towards recyclability.

Location

TC Transcontinental’s Spartanburg facility, where the expansion will take place, is situated at 345 Cedar Springs Avenue in South Carolina.

TC Transcontinental facility expansion details

TC Transcontinental’s Spartanburg facility expansion project will add 11,148m² (120,000ft² ) to the existing facility. It will include the installation of a 6.6m-wide tenter frame extrusion line designed to produce biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE) films, which will be the first such line in North America. New ancillary equipment will also be integrated into the expanded facility.

The investment in BOPE technology is a key strategic move for the company, enabling it to address sustainability challenges in its existing product offerings. The new equipment will enhance the commercialisation of recyclable film solutions, which are expected to meet the requirements for various applications without compromising on fill speed or performance.

The product aligns with the market’s shift towards recyclable products that facilitate faster time-to-market, while supporting the transition towards a more circular economy for plastics.

TC Transcontinental product portfolio

TC Transcontinental has an extensive product range covering roll stock, bags and pouches, shrink films and bags, and advanced coatings. The products serve diverse markets including dairy, coffee, meat and poultry, pet food, agriculture, beverage, home and personal care, industrial, consumer products and medical sectors.

The company’s portfolio features products such as TuffChub chub film, Tuff-Tite™ shrink bags, Hot N’ Handy® deli pouches, Fresh N’ Tasty® bakery pouches, Fresh N’ Tasty® produce pouches, Steam N’ Eat® produce pouches and Twist Close re-closeable packages, as well as cold seal solutions and advanced auto-bagging equipment.

TC Transcontinental’s vieVERTe® sustainable product line leverages the inherent benefits of flexible packaging while minimising environmental impact. The vieVERTe® range includes recyclable, compostable and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content packaging solutions such as vieVERTe® compostable, vieVERTe® PCR and vieVERTe® recycle ready.

BeanPak green coffee jute bag liner, Clearshield® shrink bags and tubestock. Dartek® 6.6 nylon films, Envio™ forming and non-forming films, Halo™ barrier films, Integritite™ collation shrink films, Integritite™ PCR, and Nextrus™ shrink bags and tubestock are some of the other products.

Additional offerings encompass die-cut lidding, labels and film stretch hoods.

Contractors involved

TC Transcontinental contracted Bruckner, a leading film stretching line company, to supply the necessary equipment for the BOPE line.

Marketing commentary on TC Transcontinental

TC Transcontinental Packaging has a substantial presence, operating primarily in the US and Canada, with additional facilities in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand and the UK and employing 4,000 individuals.

The company’s facilities include one premedia studio and 28 production plants that specialise in recycling, extrusion, lamination, printing and converting.

In November 2019, TC Transcontinental agreed to divest its paper and woven polypropylene packaging operations at the Spartanburg plant to Hood Packaging for $180m. The transaction was finalised in January 2020.

TC Transcontinental also disclosed plans to close its packaging plant in Tomah, Wisconsin, in February 2024. Its operations will be transitioned to other plants including the Spartanburg facility to ensure a smooth transition and maintain high-quality service standards.