_____________________________________________________________________________________ Royal
Interpack Group
Founded in 2011 , Royal Interpack Group ( RIG ) has grown into a leading producer of rigid packaging made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate ( rPET ). Its reach spans North America and Asia and covers industries that include retail , fresh produce , and quick-serve restaurants . Expanding from its original factory , operations now encompass five distinct plants across the globe including in Chonburi , Thailand , Guadalajara , Mexico and Riverside , California where the business is headquartered . The Californian base boasts a 300,000-square-foot complex that ’ s home to over 600 employees .
To increase efficiency and eliminate waste , the business has integrated a closed loop system in its plants . This means that PET bottles are recycled on site and then transformed from bales , to flakes , to sheets and finally into the end products . Maintaining the integrity of the entire production process also allows the company to ensure the product is of the highest quality and eliminates some of the challenges that reliance on a wider supply chain can present . It also enables the facilities to have production lines running 24 / 7 .
As the first company in Southeast Asia to open a recycling plant , a strong environmental focus , and operating in a sustainable way have always been at the core of what RIG does . Producing only recycled products , by 2025 the business will produce over 500 million pounds of product using over five billion recycled plastic bottles . The company ’ s values have been central to its success over the recent growth phase . As well as a commitment to environmental sustainability that goes beyond the product to the most efficient ways to power the factory and logistics operations , the business also emphasizes the importance of people . RIG recognizes that the professional development of employees is a vital cornerstone in achieving the company ’ s goals . Remaining future oriented has also been key . By continuously adapting to market changes and evolving customer needs , RIG can consistently deliver a competitive high-quality service to its clients . Using these principles as a foundation , the business aims to become the preferred provider of 100 rPet fully recyclable packaging solutions , meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving marketplace .
Customer requirements are often very specific . For Shenandoah Growers , for example , RIG produced thermoformed clam shell packaging with unique anti-fog properties . An inner layer of the clam shell forces moisture to run into absorbent padding which is placed behind herbs , leaving the final product looking fresher for longer .
It is through optimized and efficient production processes that the business can remain agile and adapt to customers ’ needs . The plant in Riverside provides an interesting example of an innovative evolution of the manufacturing process . When RIG upgraded to a 52-inch wide thermoformer it demanded an increase in extrusion capabilities to accommodate it . To satisfy this the company came up with a unique instillation arrangement where two 125-millimeter extruders share a single layer die creating a production line which can process 4400 pounds per hour .
In an interview for Plastic Technology , Kunal Sidhpura , Director of Operations for the North American division of the business , explains how this flexibility has helped RIG gain new customers and continue growing the company . “ Over the years we have picked up small projects which have led to bigger projects because of the way we have served the customer . Larger competitors often won ’ t consider a project unless there is a minimum commitment . Consolidation in the industry can lead to an erosion in customer service . We have acquired business from big players in the industry , with customers coming to us stating ,
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