Malaysian protective packaging products provider Ire-Tex plans to establish a new RM20m ($6m) manufacturing facility in Kulim that will start operations in 2012.

Ire-Tex group managing director Datuk Donald Yap said the facility would specialize in protective paper-based and wood-based packaging materials for the aerospace, solar power and automotive industries, biz.thestar.com.my reported.

"Construction work for the facility will start in early 2013," Yap said.

Ire-Tex hopes the revenue contribution to rise to 45% of the group's revenue, once the plant is operational. It will then increase its output of paper-based and wood-based packaging products monthly to 1,300t from the current 1,000t.

Ire-Tex, which supplies heavy-duty packaging materials for three solar power multi-national corporations, is at present using new biodegradable material made from palm fiber to replace wood as a raw material to manufacture durable packaging materials.