Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. underwent a $2 million investment to expand the forming films division of its Elk Grove Village, Ill., headquarters plant. This investment increases Clear Lam’s manufacturing capacity for a variety of rigid plastic rollstock used by thermoforming companies and processors that operate vertical form-fill-seal equipment.

The main addition to the manufacturing plant is a new sheet co-extruder that adds 15 million additional pounds of capacity. This equipment gives Clear Lam increased output of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), rPET (recycled polyethylene terephtalate), PLA (polylactic acid) and BioPET (biopolyethylene terephthalate) rollstock. In addition, Clear Lam added slitting capacity to satisfy the demand for material with tight tolerances and new blending equipment to improve low temperature impact strength, clarity and sealability.

Applications for rigid rollstock include prepared foods, fresh produce, meats, cheeses, dairy items and non-food items. Clear Lam develops monolayer and multi-layer films and blends used to produce contemporary rigid packaging solutions.