The Cleveland flexible-packaging facility of Chicago-based Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc., will be permanently closed by next summer, the converter announced July 24. The plant, which produces flex packs for the healthcare and beauty markets, employs about 220 workers.

"These are difficult decisions to make, especially in light of the employees who will be affected," says president Ilene Gordon, Pechiney Plastic Packaging. "This closure is not a question of market conditions but of cost improvement." PPP will relocate equipment to its other facilities to meet customer demand.