2023 sees an additional folding carton plant significantly expand STI Group's production capacity. Investment in the new folding carton facility at its Rumburk site in the Czech Republic, alongside a further Heidelberg Speedmaster 106 XL press being installed at its Hungarian site, consolidates STI Group’s strategic commitment to packaging. 

STI Group has made susbtantial investment in systematically expanding its premium folding carton capacity over the past two years, as the company group has grown significantly and ahead of the market in this segment. Installing the latest offset printing technology at Greven, Germany and commissioning two new die-cutting machines in Kecskemét, Hungary, have contributed to its success. Cardboard folding boxes are also produced alongside laminated corrugated packaging at its Lauterbach site in Germany. 

The Rumburk plant, which currently employs 80 people, will become a fourth site for STI Group’s folding carton production. In early summer, a 6-colour+varnish Heidelberg printing press, a Bobst and a Wupa die cutter and several folding box gluers will be installed. Achieving food certification for the Rumburk site underlines its high quality standards and focus on food packaging. Within STI Group's plant portfolio, Rumburk will be positioned between the highly efficient facility in Hungary and the outstanding finishing expertise offered by its Greven site, which specialises in medium volume production runs in 3b format with all common types of adhesive. 

Alongside the new folding carton capacity, display finishing continues at the Czech facility – in close association with the group’s display production plant in Neutraubling, Germany. 

Additional Heidelberg Speedmaster 106 XL for Hungary

The Petöfi plant in Kecskemét is one of the largest folding carton producers in Europe, with an annual output of around 2 billion packages. A second Speedmaster press that can handle six colours with varnish, able to process all conventional inks and coatings, will complement the site’s existing machine portfolio and expand its printing capacity. 

‘In the folding carton segment we’ve been able to grow strongly with existing and new customers in recent years, outpacing the market. By setting up a new efficient production facility for folding cartons in Eastern Europe, we can meet customers' increased demand for sustainable, fibre-based packaging solutions,’ says STI Group CEO Jakob Rinninger. 

Family-owned STI Group operates seven production plants in Germany, Hungary, Great Britain and the Czech Republic and aims to lead the way to a more sustainable packaging landscape. The company group focuses on environmentally friendly innovations through its Circular Innovation programme, and has already brought numerous product and process innovations to market.