Lebanon’s Cedex buys W&H line, eyes film exports to North America

Cedex Plastics S.A.L., the Lebanon-based joint venture between Exopack and the Indevco Group, has made its first equipment investment: a 3-layer Varex coextrusion line from Windmöller & Hölscher (headquarters in Lengerich, Germany; North American operations based from Lincoln, RI). In April, Exopack and Lebanon-based packaging manufacturer Indevco Group signed a joint venture to manufacture coextruded polyethylene film in the Middle East, initially installing equipment at Indevco’s Masterpak flexible packaging facility in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. The ultimate goal according to the companies is to build multiple film-production sites in the Middle East, and export product back to North America, exploiting the region’s growing resin capacity and expected long-term resin-price advantage.

In a release, W&H’s North American VP Andrew Wheeler said, “Being a part of Cedex is an incredible opportunity for W&H to form a relationship with Indevco, demonstrate the quality and dependability of our machinery, as well as gain a stronger foothold in the region.” W&H told MPW that the line is slated to be installed in the fourth quarter of this year. It features an 87-inch (2200-mm) working width, grooved feed extruders, and an 18-inch 3-layer Maxicone C die with Optifil P2K automatic gauge control and automation modules. In addition to the extruders, the line will include a W&H Filmatic S dual surface winder.

Exopack, which has worked with W&H for some time, installed a coextrusion line similar to the one purchased by Cedex this summer at its Griffin, GA plant. A portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners Inc., Exopack has 18 production facilities across North America and the United Kingdom, with capabilities in paper and plastic.

In terms of end-markets served, the initial Indevco/Exopack release announcing the Cedex JV said the new company would produce “coextruded film products for use in flexible packaging.” The partner companies say prior to the formal JV they had shared a long-term relationship and both have competencies in film and flexible packaging production. W&H said the line will be used to create shrink, sealant, and surface-printed polyethylene films for applications in beverage, personal/health care, frozen foods, and other food-grade applications.

Founded in 1955 and privately held, Indevco operates 31 manufacturing sites spread among Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, England, and the U.S. The flexible packaging division has nine plants, 1550 employees, and offers blown and cast film up to nine layers with 25% of its sales coming from exports. —[email protected]