Cirkla Expands U.S. Manufacturing with New Molded Fiber Packaging Facility in Georgia
Cirkla, a developer of sustainable molded fiber packaging, has announced plans to establish a new U.S. manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Georgia, with production expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The facility will be dedicated to scaling the company’s molded fiber meat packaging solutions and supporting the growing demand for sustainable, plastic-reducing alternatives across the U.S. food industry.
The new plant is expected to be the first facility of its kind in the United States focused on large-scale production of molded fiber meat packaging. Located in Hall County, known as the “Poultry Capital of the World,” the facility will strengthen Cirkla’s ability to serve major meat and poultry processors, grocery retailers, and food brands across the country.
Cirkla’s expansion follows strong market interest in its molded fiber Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) trays, which incorporate patented liner technology designed to deliver the performance required for demanding protein applications. The company says its solutions have gained traction among leading protein processors and national grocery retailers seeking packaging that combines functionality with improved sustainability.
“Our manufacturing in India runs at scale and has validated this technology in real production environments across some of the most demanding protein categories,” said Vaibhav Goel, CEO of Cirkla. “As U.S. demand has grown, so has the case for a domestic footprint. This facility brings that same capability closer to our customers and is built to support the national rollouts ahead.”
Cirkla says its fiber packaging technology addresses some of the longstanding performance challenges associated with replacing conventional plastic meat trays. Its high-barrier fiber trays have been validated across packaging platforms used by a significant portion of the U.S. protein-processing industry.
The company’s decision to establish the facility in Gainesville also highlights Georgia’s growing capabilities in advanced manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and packaging. Governor Brian P. Kemp welcomed the investment, noting that Georgia’s infrastructure and logistics network, including the Gainesville Inland Port, provide manufacturers with access to markets across the United States and globally.
The new facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies, precision automation, in-house quality laboratories, and expanded finishing capabilities. Once operating at full capacity, the plant is expected to employ more than 100 people and contribute significantly to the region’s manufacturing economy.
The Gainesville facility will produce Cirkla’s broader range of molded fiber packaging solutions, including MAP trays and overwrap trays. The domestic production base is also expected to provide customers with shorter lead times, greater supply-chain resilience, and increased capacity as demand for the company’s products continues to grow.
Cirkla’s U.S. expansion comes amid a broader shift within the food and packaging industries toward scalable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. While meat and poultry remain key applications, the company sees opportunities to extend its molded fiber technology into areas such as fresh produce, ready meals, and customized food packaging.
The facility will be located at the Gainesville 85 Business Center in Hall County. The project is being supported by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, and Georgia Quick Start.
Gainesville Mayor Zack Thompson said the city was pleased to welcome Cirkla’s North American manufacturing headquarters, highlighting the region’s workforce, business environment, and advanced manufacturing infrastructure.
Tim Evans, President & CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the investment, pointing to Hall County’s strong concentration of food processing, equipment manufacturing, and packaging businesses. He said the region’s established food and poultry ecosystem would provide Cirkla with access to customers, talent, and industry partnerships.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development also emphasized the importance of Cirkla’s technology to the state’s food-processing ecosystem. With Georgia’s strong agricultural and food manufacturing base, the company’s sustainable packaging solutions could help local and national food producers meet evolving packaging requirements while improving supply-chain efficiency.
With its new Gainesville facility, Cirkla aims to bring large-scale molded fiber packaging production closer to U.S. customers while supporting the transition toward more sustainable, high-performance packaging across the food industry.