One51 plc, a leading plastics and environmental services operator, is investing €8m in its OnePlastics Group subsidiary, Protech Plastics in Cork.

It is also expanding its manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China, it was announced on Friday.

The investment in Ireland will result in the development of a state-of-the-art food grade manufacturing facility located at Protech’s existing site at Little Island, Cork.

This will allow Protech to produce innovative packaging products to support the growing Irish food industry, it said in its announcement.

As a result of the expansion, the number of people employed by Protech will increase from 100 to 125 over the next two years.

China facility

OnePlastics Group also operates a facility located near Shanghai, China supplying products to its multinational clients.

As part of its expansion, One51 will also double the size of its manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

Alan Walsh, group chief executive of One51, said that its recent acquisition of IPL Inc, a leading North American producer of injection molded plastic products, has provided them with a considerable product portfolio and competence in the design and manufacture of innovative food grade packaging products.

“We intend to leverage this knowledge through Protech’s new facility and to develop products to support indigenous Irish food companies as they continue to grow and expand in the global marketplace.

“The expansion of Protech’s facility is an exciting opportunity for the group and one that we will seek to grow in the future,” he said.