BPI announces major investment in agricultural films division

British Polythene Industries PLC (BPI) has announced a major investment of €8 million in its agricultural films division with the installation of two new five layer extrusion lines. This investment reflects BPI's confidence in the market and the opportunities available to it through the introduction of a range of new products.

The new lines are the latest addition to the company's production facilities and are part of a larger agricultural films investment programme which has seen the Group install four other manufacturing lines across its silage film sites since the year 2000.

The investment in the new, state-of-the-art extrusion equipment will enable the company to take production of its film products to optimum efficiency levels.

The new units will benefit the business through increased throughput and quicker turnaround times whilst enhancing even further the company's excellent quality record and customer service standards.

John Langlands, Chief Executive, BPI commented, "This new investment is testament to our continuing commitment to Agriculture. As well as enabling us to take forward new products like SilotitePro and Baletite it brings even more flexibility to our manufacturing processes."

Two new BPI products, SilotitePro and Baletite, which provide farmers and contractors with both added value and environmental benefits, have been announced at Agritechnica. SilotitePRO, an innovative new silage stretch film, combines an impressive 40% extra length with a lower film thickness whilst maintaining the essential bale wrap characteristics of oxygen permeability, high strength and tear resistance. Baletite is a polythene wrapping film which replaces netwrap on round bales to secure them effectively whilst also aiding the grass ensiling process thanks to the increased oxygen barrier the product provides.