Plastic packaging manufacturer ALPLA celebrated its 70th anniversary on 12 September at the Festspielhaus Bregenz, Austria, marking seven decades since its founding in a laundry room in Hard by Lake Constance in 1955.
From humble beginnings, the Austrian family-owned company has grown into a global operation with 200 locations in 46 countries and a workforce of more than 24,000. ALPLA supplies rigid plastic packaging to a wide range of consumer goods sectors across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.
The company’s development over the decades has been marked by key technological milestones, including the introduction of the Alplamat extrusion blow-moulding machine in 1958 and the launch of the first in-house customer site in 1985. It also pioneered the world’s first two-step PET bottle and early adoption of post-consumer recycled materials. More recently, ALPLA has advanced paper-based bottle technologies and biodegradable capsule formats.
Speaking at the anniversary event, CEO Philipp Lehner reflected on the company’s past and outlined future goals. “We have grown enormously and always remained true to our values. We will continue to do both,” he said. Lehner confirmed that the company will maintain its focus on core business strengths, expand into new markets and technologies, and increase investments in digitalisation, automation and circular economy models.
The company continues to operate seven development centres and four design hubs globally and emphasises a full-system packaging approach. ALPLA’s leadership credits long-term strategy and internal collaboration as key factors in sustaining its market presence.
Lehner added: “We support each other and continuously improve. This is how we have grown into a strong and reliable brand over the past 70 years – for customers, partners and as an employer.”