Placon Expands Thermoforming CapacityPlacon Expands Thermoforming Capacity

Thermoformer Placon announced this week that it has expanded production capacity to meet growing demand for stock and custom thermoformed packaging from customers in the medical, food, and retail markets.

New thermoforming equipment

The 55-year old company said it has installed two thermoforming machines at its headquarters in Madison, WI, where much of Placon’s food and retail packaging is produced. The equipment will be used to ramp up processing of post-consumer recycled PET food and retail packaging.

Newly added capacity at the Plymouth, MN, facility will allow the company to increase production of its popular line of Fresh ‘N Clear catering trays and lids.

“With customers increasingly looking for more sustainable plastic packaging options, our expanded production capacity allows us to meet growing consumer demand for our food and retail product lines,” said Scott Newton, Placon’s director of sales for custom food and retail.

Medical packaging expertise accelerates customer approval timelines

To satisfy demand from its medical customers, Placon operates ISO-certified cleanrooms at its facilities in Madison and Plymouth as well as in Elkhart, IN. The company’s accelerated prototype turnaround time — typically under five days — helps customers expedite approval timelines. Products include thermoformed trays, blisters, and clamshells to support orthopedic implants, renal tubing sets, surgical instruments, and stents.

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Its BargerGard line of stock polyurethane packaging is designed to protect rough and sharp medical components, including catheters, needles, screws, drills, and porous coated implants. Placon describes the pouches and tip protectors as a smart alternative to foam and vinyl protective packaging.

In addition to thermoforming, the company offers custom inline flexographic printing, die cutting, and lift labels that include Tyvek and foil in up to three colors.