OREANDA-NEWS. Hekro PET, one of the largest plastic packaging producers in Ukraine, has announced its plans to launch a barrier film production line in 2008. Barrier film is used in food packaging and has better optical and barrier properties than other plastic packaging. The launch of barrier film production is a highly complicated project from a technological point of view and thus Hekro PET will be the first company in Ukraine to do so, Alfa Capital Ukraine disclosed.

According to Hekro PET’s Development Director Andrey Shevchenko, who spoke at a late last week investment forum hosted by Alfa Bank and Alfa Capital Ukraine, the company’s expected production capacity is 5,600 tons of barrier film per year. In addition as this is a global product, the company plans to supply barrier film not only domestically, but to Russian and Western European consumers.

According to management estimates, Hekro PET’s 2007 sales are expected to hit $115 mln, or a 35% increase y-o-y. Barrier film production, as well as expanding production of PET preforms and stretch film, will together triple Hekro PET’s output by 2010. Shevchenko noted that the company is well positioned to expand its current business, as it has continuously invested into developing its production capacity.