Huhtamaki, Finland, will set up a greenfield paper cup manufacturing unit in Kiev, Ukraine. With local manufacturing, Huhtamaki will be able to better serve both its local and global customers, and help them grow. 

Huhtamaki has been present in Ukraine since 2002 and is currently serving the market by importing products mainly from its manufacturing units in Poland. 

The new unit will manufacture a full range of paper cups for cold and hot drinks. Manufacturing operations are expected to begin during 2018 and the unit is expected to employ some 50 people. The unit will become part of the Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment.

"Despite the recent political and economic turbulence, the foodservice market in Ukraine is growing and the country has an important role in many of our global key customers' growth plans. In addition, Ukraine has an extensive transport infrastructure and is well placed to service the neighboring countries," said Eric Le Lay, EVP, Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania.

Huhtamaki is a global specialist in packaging for food and drink. With its network of 74 manufacturing units and additional 24 sales only offices in altogether 34 countries, the company is well placed to support its customers' growth wherever they operate. Mastering three distinctive packaging technologies, approximately 17,000 employees develop and make packaging that helps Huhtamaki products reach more people, more easily. In 2016 the company’s net sales totaled EUR 2.9 billion.