Global specialist packaging company Essentra plc is expanding its operations in Newport and creating 70 new jobs with Welsh Government support – its second expansion in the city in under a year.

This latest investment, backed by £143,000 business finance from the Welsh Government, will see the company more than double staff numbers as it takes over an adjacent 225,000 sq ft site on Imperial Park on the west of the city.

Welsh Government Business Minister Edwina Hart said: “I am delighted Newport was selected for this additional significant capital expenditure and that it will now form a centre of excellence within this global group.

“It is a strong commitment to Wales and a great endorsement of what we can offer companies looking to expand, illustrating yet again that Wales is a great business location for life science companies.

Hugh Ross, managing director - Europe from Essentra, said: “As a global leading provider of specialist pharmaceutical, health and personal care and consumer goods packaging, Essentra’s objective is to remain at the forefront of these industries, in terms of continuing to provide our customers with a comprehensive product offering, compelling value proposition and excellent customer service.

“Our further substantial additional investment in Newport will extend the capability and capacity of the existing site, as a centre of excellence for the manufacture and future development of our extensive range of innovative packaging, and will ensure that we are optimally positioned to continue to meet the exacting requirements of our customers.”

In November last year the Minister attended the opening of Essentra’s state-of-the-art packaging facility in Newport which created twenty jobs and was supported by £290,000 business finance from the Welsh Government. This purpose-built labels manufacturing site is additionally equipped with the latest digital printing technology and a cleanroom for the production of printed primary packaging foils for the healthcare market.

At the launch she met Essentra’s chairman Jeff Harris and chief executive Colin Day, when future expansion opportunities within the group were explored.

The latest expansion into a second site enables the company to create a centre of excellence for labels capable of addressing an extensive range of customer requirements with state-of-the art equipment. From simply colourful labels to complex multi-layer labels and leaflet labels the facility services customer needs across industries including pharmaceutical, food and drink, beauty, and other consumer goods.

The new jobs will bring the headcount in Newport to more than 100 employees with recruitment already under way.