100 jobs to be created with support from Invest NI

Global packaging company, Huhtamaki, today welcomed McDonald’s UK&I Supply Chain Director Beth Hart, to officially open its new facility in Antrim. The new factory based in Kilbegs Business Park, will be the first facility in Ireland to produce high quality sustainable paper straws. The visit follows McDonald’s announcement last year that they will roll–out paper straws to more than 1,300 UK and Irish restaurants in 2019.

Earlier this year, Huhtamaki announced a global investment in its paper straw capacity within its foodservice business segment, starting in Northern Ireland. With a five year £12.3m investment plan, the new facility will also create 100 new jobs, supported by an offer from Invest Northern Ireland of £480k. 

Speaking about the investment, Ciaran Doherty, General Manager of Huhtamaki Food Services Belfast, commented “We are delighted to welcome Beth Hart to officially open our new facility in Antrim and we are committed to growing our strategic partnership with McDonald’s and to delivering innovation in new product categories. 

“We are proud to be a fast moving, innovative partner, capable of adapting to our customer’s needs. We value McDonald’s trust in us and today celebrate another landmark in a relationship that now spans over 30 years.

“Our sustainably sourced paper straws are made with new, purpose–built machinery to deliver a premium product with 100% of paper used in all straws and wrapping, PEFC certified.   Starting with Antrim, Huhtamaki plans to expand its manufacturing capacity into other key markets across Europe and globally.

“Our investment will result in an additional 100 jobs in the local area and I would like to thank Invest NI for its support and look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”

Beth Hart, UK&I Supply Chain Director, “I am delighted to be in Antrim today to open this Huhtamaki facility. Last year our customers asked us to change our plastic straws to

new paper ones, we listened and are making that switch with the support and partnership of suppliers like Huhtamaki. We are proud to be doing the right thing in rolling out paper straws across our UK and Irish restaurants, and will continue to invest in making our business as environmentally sustainable as possible – this is just one step on that journey.

“Currently more than 80% of our guest packaging can be recycled, our restaurants use 100% renewable energy and we are continuing to innovate such as the installation of over 1,100 recycling units across our restaurant estate in the UK and Ireland.  

“Strategic partnerships lie at the heart of McDonald’s success.  Huhtamaki is a trusted partner who we have worked with for a number of years, and we’re proud to be working together to roll out paper straws, made in the UK, to our restaurants.”

Alastair Hamilton, CEO of Invest NI said: “Huhtamaki Food Services Belfast has a long track record of innovation and a reputation for delivery. It has grown to become a significant employer and an important Northern Ireland manufacturing business.

“This latest investment and innovative project will create new jobs, support the local supply chain, and also help deliver environmentally through the production of sustainably sourced paper straws. This will all bring positive benefits to the local Antrim area. We look forward to continuing to support Huhtamaki with its growth here in Northern Ireland.”

For further information contact:

Julie Ann Donnelly

The JAM Factory

Tel: 07789 888413

Notes to editors:

1.      Huhtamaki is a global specialist in packaging for food and drink, with a network of 78 manufacturing units and additional 24 sales only offices in altogether 34 countries. Mastering three distinctive packaging technologies, approximately 17,700 employees develop and make packaging that helps great products reach more people, more easily. In 2018, net sales totaled EUR 3.1 billion. The Group has its head office in Espoo, Finland and the parent company Huhtamäki Oyj is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com

2.      Huhtamaki have a long history in the use of sustainable materials for food packaging products.

3.      The paper straws are crafted to be strong, reliable and functional. They are manufactured in facilities with highest safety standards and have been tested and certified for food safety in Europe, China and the United States.

4.      Their new paper straw offering will include several new size variants in addition to the standard size with 7.3 mm diameter.

5.       The high quality sustainable paper straws