When Miquel Sisó and Jordi Guimet joined forces to create Plasticband in 1978, they did so with a very specific purpose: to manufacture plastic strapping. A word known by few, but which names a material that many use assiduously, perhaps without being aware of it: it is the narrow plastic tape used to give the final seal to certain packaging and packages, such as cardboard boxes.
The founders of the company did not suspect then the evolution the company would experience, which grew at the same pace as its clients. When these began to expand and internationalize, Plasticband opted to start manufacturing packaging machinery. Thus, its clients no longer only bought the strapping, but also the automatic strapping machine and the wrapper that placed it for them. Packaging for the internationalization of the Catalan economy.
Since then, Plasticband has grown to become the fastest manufacturer in its category in Southern Europe, and with the forecast of closing this year with a turnover of ten million. Now with Jordi Guimet, son of the co-founder, as general director, the company grows especially showcasing three of its characteristics: custom-made products, fast delivery, and its own green technology.
Plasticband's new plant, "one of the most sustainable in Southern Europe," will focus on the production of the first fully ecological strapping on the marketAnd sustainability has been a key axis for the company since its foundation. Guimet assures this, and company practices, such as manufacturing with recycled plastics, confirm it. The general director explains that, "for two decades now, and when nobody wanted them," Plasticband uses plastics recovered from both landfills and the sea.
With sustainability as its goal, the company inaugurated its "green factory" in Granollers in September. The new plant, "one of the most sustainable in Southern Europe," will focus on the production of the market's first fully ecological strapping, made from recycled material and which is also recyclable.
It will do so in facilities that feature solar panels, low-consumption machines, good use of natural light, and, as another differentiating element, a rainwater collection system, which is then used in the factory for production processes. The launch of the new factory has had the support of the Institut Català de Finances (ICF), with financing of one million euros over ten years at a fixed interest rate. The company has financed the rest of the investment, an additional one million euros.
In addition to sustainability, the company also has among its priorities the digitalization of processes and product creation. This digitalization allows them to be manufactured in a personalized way and adapted to the needs of each client, in a context of sector expansion. "Product packaging and its rapid arrival at its destination is increasingly important, and requires the value chain to be well organized," remarks the general director.
In line with digitalization, efficiency, and sustainability, the company promotes the manufacture of machinery with less electrical consumption, and also less plastic. Guimet argues that this is an "indispensable" material due to its particular characteristics: "If we use less, and what we use comes from the circular economy, it is a very good product."