Huhtamaki is recruiting 20 new employees to work on the first stages of a ground-breaking new project producing recyclable ready meal trays which will help reduce the amount of plastic sent to landfill globally.
The jobs, which include cell co-ordinators, production operatives, and maintenance technicians, are a key part of the innovative Finnish-owned company’s investment of £7million, with funding support by the BBI JU Horizon 2020 program, in a new plant which will make the world’s first home compostable oven and microwave safe fibre-based trays in the UK for, amongst others Waitrose.
The production facility will revolutionise the ready meal market and plays a key role in Huhtamaki’s sustainability commitment to produce alternatives to plastic.
The company is now hiring for the positions ahead of the plant’s full commissioning.
Huhtamaki currently employs around 230 people at the Lurgan plant which also makes egg boxes, drinks carriers and other moulded paper products.
The new fibre-based trays, known as Huhtamaki Fresh, replace the widely-used black plastic ready meal trays which, because the lasers used by recycling companies find it difficult to recognise the colour effectively, end up being sent to landfill.
Huhtamaki Fresh trays feel like cardboard, are Forest Stewardship Council certified and are able to be rinsed and recycled in the same manner as paper or can be composted at home.
General Manager of Huhtamaki (Lurgan), Richard Smith said: “This is one of the most exciting phases in the life of Huhtamaki in Lurgan, so far, and we want to expand our committed team to prepare for the next stage of that journey. Our new Huhtamaki Fresh tray does away with the need for black plastic, revolutionising the ready meal market and opening up vast potential for a product which is produced right here in County Armagh.
“We are providing the answers to some of the biggest issues facing the packaging world today while at the same time offering one of the most rewarding careers for the right candidates.”
Jill Sloan, Human Resource Manager at Huhtamaki (Lurgan) added: “These are exciting opportunities for people who want to work in a global, innovative business at the cutting edge of product development. Our people are at the heart of the business here at Huhtamaki and we make sure we provide an environment which allows our employees to grow and thrive.”
View all Huhtamaki (Lurgan) jobs here