Sonoco Plastics Opens New Albany, Ohio Plant to Commercial Production

Plant producing rigid plastic containers for personal care products

HARTSVILLE, S.C., Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has commenced commercial production of rigid plastic containers for personal care products at its new $15 million plant, located in the Beauty and Home Care campus in New Albany, Ohio.

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According to Rodger Fuller, vice president of Rigid Plastics, Sonoco's new 142,230-square-foot plant is currently operating 11 injection stretch blow-molding production lines, producing PET bottles for personal care products. In addition, the plant is operating four injection molding machines that are producing plastic components for wall air fresheners.

"Sonoco Plastics is a leader in designing and producing innovative, customized rigid plastic packaging for some of the largest personal care brands in North America. As we continue to ramp up production from our new Beauty Park facility we will be adding six more injection stretch blow-molding lines," Fuller said. "By year-end 2012, we expect to be in full production and reach total employment of 70 people. That said, we have the capacity and capability to further grow this plant's production for other personal care and food-grade containers."

Sonoco Plastics is a leading manufacturer of mono-layer and multi-layer blow-molded bottles and jars, thermoformed cups and trays and engineered molded and extruded containers, spools and trays. The Company has 25 plastics operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Netherlands and Germany. In addition to the Beauty Park facility, Sonoco Plastics operates a state-of-the-art food-grade, blow-molding and injection molding plant in Columbus, Ohio. The Company is currently reviewing plans for additional expansion of this facility as well, Fuller added.

To learn more about Sonoco Plastics' rigid plastics capabilities, stop by our booth #S-1562 at Pack Expo, or visit http://www.sonoco.com/productsservices/plastics.aspx.

About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.5 billion, the Company has more than 19,600 employees working in over 340 operations in 34 countries, serving many of the world's best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2012/2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

SOURCE: Sonoco

Roger Schrum, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.sonoco.com

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