Berry Global Group has announced its second investment for 2021 in the wipes segment to support the long-term consumer behaviour shift towards infection prevention, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The investment, located in Europe, will increase Berry’s production footprint in support of its global customers, with total investments reaching more than $110 million in nonwoven materials for products such as hard surface disinfectant wipes. Prior to the demand surge of 2020, the European impregnated wet wipes segment, for home cleaning and disinfecting, was growing at the rate of 5% during 2014–2019. COVID-19 has increased heightened focus on sanitation and personal hygiene for infection prevention, suggesting permanent consumer trends away from the chore of cleaning to a health and safety priority.
This new asset will add to the company’s existing Spunlace platform, further expanding its sustainable wipes portfolio. Recognising its customers’ ongoing environmental sustainability goals, the new asset will incorporate the production of biodegradable or recycled nonwoven substrates, increasing Berry’s capacity in Europe by more than 300 million m2. The new line is expected to be commercially available in the September quarter of 2022.