Stefano Zuliani (Head of Operations Flexo and Gravure Europe), Massimiliano Caretta Fantini (Export Manager Flexible Packaging) and Adrien Pflieger (Managing Director hubergroup France) at the inauguration of the new mixing station.
With the commissioning of a new mixing station on the economically significant Sainte-Sigolène plateau, hubergroup Print Solutions is sending a strong signal for growth, customer proximity, and responsiveness. Inaugurated on June 20, the station for solvent-based Gecko inks encompasses on-site storage, mixing, technical support and a laboratory. This marks a significant milestone for the printing and packaging industry in France.
With the investment in this new mixing station, hubergroup emphasizes the importance of the French market for the company. "The new site is a real game-changer for us and our customers in the region," says Adrien Pflieger, Managing Director of hubergroup France. "Geographical proximity, our technical expertise, and our quick response create a new level of efficiency for flexible packaging manufacturers."
With a short-term capacity of around 100 tons per year – and potential for growth – hubergroup positions itself in the midst of one of France's most important packaging clusters: Sainte-Sigolène represents almost 50% of national extrusion activity. The local packaging companies benefit from shorter delivery routes, faster availability, and on-site technical service – even for malfunctions or special colour requests.
Local expertise, global support
The hubergroup team in Sainte-Sigolène consists of two sales engineers, a sales representative as well as a mixing station manager and is supported by a partner for logistics. In addition, it is supported by the European hubergroup network and the laboratory staff as well as product managers based at the headquarters in Germany.
Adrien Pflieger adds: “The responsiveness of our team in France, but also of the international hubergroup network, combined with a solid understanding of the specific challenges of the French market, will enable us to meet the needs of local customers and support the growth of the sustainable packaging market in France.”
Sustainable flexible packaging
Dedicated to hubergroup’s solvent-based Gecko products, the new mixing station is specifically targeted at flexible packaging manufacturers. The portfolio thus offers various options for designing smart, eco-friendly packaging products. This includes the NC-free, PU-based series Gecko Platinum and deinking solutions as well as support in complying with thresholds for printing with NC-based inks. In an effort to provide customers with everything they need to produce sustainable flexible packaging, hubergroup additionally offers a broad range of varnishes, barrier coatings, primers, whites, additives, and laminating adhesives.