Machine Nation News Team
May 20, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM
Norwegian-Based Global Packaging Company Elopak Officially Opened Its First U.S. Carton Converting Plant At The Little Rock Port Authority. The New $100 Million Plant Will Employ 100 Workers In Central Arkansas
Elopak, a Norwegian-based global leader in sustainable packaging, officially opened its first U.S. carton converting plant on April 30, 2025, at the Port of Little Rock, Arkansas. The $100 million, 300,000-square-foot facility, built in under 12 months on a 25-acre site, produces Pure-Pak® cartons for liquid dairy, juices, plant-based drinks, and liquid eggs, targeting a $5 billion U.S. packaging market. Employing 100 workers and supported by state incentives, the plant features two production lines, with the second line—added via a $25 million expansion in September 2024—set to be operational by 2026, contributing $110 million in annual revenue. CEO Thomas Körmendi called the facility a “cornerstone” of Elopak’s plan to double revenues by 2030, citing Little Rock’s strategic location near road, rail, and airport infrastructure. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised Arkansas’ business-friendly climate, noting it “beat out other states” for the project. The facility, operating on 100% renewable energy, supports Central Arkansas’ 30,000-strong manufacturing workforce and aligns with tariff-driven reshoring trends.
For the precision machining industry, Elopak’s plant emphasizes the critical role of surface roughness in carton production equipment. Components like cutting dies and folding rollers require CNC milling to achieve precise surface roughness, measured in microinches (Ra 8–32 µin), ensuring smooth operation and durability in high-speed packaging lines. 5-axis milling machines, optimized with specific feedrates and cutting speeds, deliver these surface qualities while maintaining tolerances within ±0.001 inches. The facility’s advanced automation drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in Arkansas, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening supply chains for sustainable packaging.
Source:
Elopak Press Release, April 30, 2025
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X is buzzing about Elopak’s Little Rock plant opening, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “big win” for Arkansas. Users praised the 100 jobs, with one noting “sustainable cartons from Little Rock,” while another tied it to “reshoring packaging tech.” The excitement reflects optimism for economic growth and green manufacturing.
What is the Surface Roughness?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Surface Roughness - The texture of a machined surface, measured in microinches (Ra), critical for ensuring precision and performance in CNC-milled components for manufacturing equipment.
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Related Tags:
#Elopak #LittleRockManufacturing #SurfaceRoughness #PrecisionMachining #SustainablePackaging #Reshoring