SunOpta to strengthen aseptic processing and packaging capabilities in California

Natural health products manufacturer SunOpta will strengthen its aseptic processing and packaging operations in California with the installation of a third processor at its Modesto facility.

Scheduled to be commissioned during the third quarter of 2014, the equipment will provide SunOpta with 33% increased processing capacity at the site.

The Canadian firm plans to add new aseptic filling lines to cater to demand for various product categories, including non-dairy, nutritional beverages and dairy.

SunOpta CEO Steve Bromley said the expansion is an important step in enabling the company to meet growing customer demand, and will support new product innovation.

Bromley added, "Together with our Alexandria plant, we believe we are now the largest carton based low acid aseptic manufacturer in the United States, which offers key processing scale and geographic advantages to our customers.

"The continued investment in our aseptic platform is directly aligned with our core strategies to aggressively grow our value-added ingredients and packaged foods portfolio, and to leverage our integrated platform to become a pure play natural and organic foods company."

Since its commissioning in 2010, the Modesto plant has undergone a series of expansions, and its operations are paired with aseptic processing and packaging operations in Alexandria, Minnesota.

The SunOpta product portfolio includes soy milk, rice beverages, almond beverages, hemp milk, sunflower milk, ancient grain beverages, coconut-based beverages, nutritional beverages, teas, dairy products and broths.