A Gloucestershire packaging contractors has unveiled a new sheet extrusion division to meet customer demand.

Kalex Films will officially launch in Cinderford on March 1 as a sister company for Leeways Packaging Services.

Leeways, based at Churcham, said the new company would help fulfil the need for rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) products using up to 100 per cent post-consumer waste.

Managing director Lee Walding said: "The launch of Kalex is an extremely exciting time for Leeways.

"Behind the scenes, we have been planning to add extrusion to the business for a few years so to have finally spent the past 15 months pulling it together has bought us all a great sense of achievement.

"We have built a new manufacturing site, invested in the best technology and recruited an amazing team of people who have all taken on board the comprehensive training and between them, have a wealth of experience in this industry."

Kalex will purchase and process around five million kilograms - the equivalent of 100 million plastic bottles - of recycled soft drinks bottles and food trays into new materials.

The company has recruited 10 new staff at its manufacturing site in Cinderford with plans to double production output in the next two years.

"Sustainability and the increased use recycled materials have been at the heart of our business for many years," said Mr Walding.

"We are immensely proud to be able to offer our customers high quality, recycled thermoformed solutions manufactured with rPET sheet consisting of up to 100 per cent post-consumer materials."

He continued: "This will further increase the levels of customer service and flexibility we can offer as a business.

"We are very passionate about the future of these two businesses working together and we are all truly excited to see what the future will bring."