Gargantuan warehouses along interstates aren’t the only evidence of the e-commerce boom.
The ever-growing demand for products from online giants such as Amazon has increased demand for the packaging that carries them to customers’ doorsteps, so it’s not surprising that a major maker of padded mailer envelopes wants to locate a new plant near existing e-commerce warehouses.
According to a report in BizNewsPa, paper products manufacturer Georgia-Pacific plans to open a 250,000-square-foot facility near interstates 78 and 81 in Union Township, where it will make padded mailer envelopes. The location is in the Gateway Logistics Park near Lickdale.
BizNewsPa reports that Georgia-Pacific will lease space in the complex that already counts toymaker Mattel and clothing maker VF Corporation as tenants. The complex is served by Lebanon Transit’s Route 10 Old Forge Express.
In a recent media release, Georgia-Pacific announced that it is “expanding its manufacturing footprint for curbside recyclable paper padded mailers to support growing demand for more sustainable shipping envelopes. The new locations in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and McDonough, Georgia, will expand availability of the mailers in the Northeast and Southeast to customers including Amazon.”
Georgia-Pacific’s parent company, Koch Industries, is already advertising for employees at the new facility, which is expected to open by the end of 2021.
“The growth of e-commerce has generated significant demand for sustainable packaging options, as both consumers and e-retailers look to increase the recyclability of their packaging,” according to the company. “This curbside recyclable padded paper mailer is a sustainable alternative to non-recyclable dual material packaging.”
Georgia-Pacific noted that, “while Amazon is the flagship customer for the plant, Georgia-Pacific plans to offer this innovative product to a range of customers seeking alternative envelope solutions.”
BizNewsPa reported that Georgia-Pacific “plans to invest about $15 million in the Jonestown operation, which should start producing mailers by the end of 2021 and employ about 50 people.”
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