Flexible packaging is a staple in the food packaging, healthcare, and consumer goods industries, as it’s lightweight and versatile, yet still protective. Moreover, less material is used to produce flexible packaging, making it a more sustainable solution.
Now, the industry will receive a big boost, as Nelipak Healthcare Packaging, a prominent player in the global medical and pharmaceutical packaging industry, has opened its first flexible packaging production facility in North America. This marks a significant expansion for the company, which has historically operated similar sites in Europe.
The new 110,000-square-foot facility, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is equipped with ISO-7 clean rooms, state-of-the-art production equipment, and ISO 13485 certification. Designed to meet the stringent requirements of the healthcare industry, the plant will manufacture custom flexible packaging solutions, including roll-stock, die-cut lids, pouches, and bags. These products incorporate advanced materials like Tyvek®, foil laminates, and Nelipak’s proprietary heat-seal coatings.
Pat Chambliss, CEO of Nelipak, underscored the strategic importance of this move for the company’s North American presence. “With this facility, we can better serve our customers in the Americas, offering high-quality sterile packaging solutions that align with their sustainability and continuity goals,” he said.
The plant’s construction is part of a broader effort to replicate Nelipak’s European capabilities for growing markets in the Americas. The location was purpose-built to ensure compliance with healthcare packaging standards while streamlining production to meet rising demand.
The project also highlights collaboration with state and local organizations, including the North Carolina One NC Fund and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on October 16, 2024, recognized the contributions of Forsyth County, the City of Winston-Salem, and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., alongside the North Carolina General Assembly and Community College System.
By establishing this flagship facility, Nelipak not only strengthens its position in the healthcare packaging sector but also aligns itself with sustainability and supply chain continuity efforts. This strategic investment underscores the growing importance of advanced packaging solutions in supporting critical medical and pharmaceutical applications across North America.
