About us

In the autumn of 1966, the first production of flexible polyethylene-based plastics took place in a modest factory on Julianaweg in Volendam. This marked the start of KIVO (Kunststof Industrie Volendam) under the leadership of founder Dick Kwakman.

Driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus, many types of LDPE films and bags produced for a wide range of applications. KIVO was soon regarded as a leading producer and the foundations were laid for continuous growth and development.

Back in 1984, we started producing HDPE films and bags. The machinery and product portfolio were expanded, enabling further growth. Today, KIVO is still one of the largest producers of HDPE films and pockets in Europe.

The importance of consistent product quality, continuous development and professional service has always been pursued and led to ISO certification in 1995. In the same year, formal measures were already taken as a precursor to BRC-Packaging certification to step up and ensure food safety.

Also in the field of production techniques and development of better materials for existing and new applications, KIVO did not sit still in the 1990s. It is therefore typical of KIVO that when multilayer coextrusion was introduced, not one, but immediately two new 3-layer coextrusion lines were purchased.

In 2008, founder Dick Kwakman passed the baton to his youngest son Robert as Managing Director, after which, in 2010, the shares were also divided equally among Dick's three sons: Robert, Henry and Louis. This allowed the fine family business to continue successfully and with the same fervour.

In 2011, KIVO introduced the 5-layer production of barrier films, a pioneering step in the industry. This innovation enabled us to offer more efficient and sustainable packaging solutions, reaffirming our leading position.

In February 2012, KIVO acquired Polaris Verpakkingen, now known as KIVO Zwolle. This strategic acquisition expanded our production capacity and enabled us to focus entirely on producing bread bags. With modern facilities and a focus on efficiency and quality, KIVO Zwolle has been supplying high-quality bread bags to bakeries and supermarkets worldwide ever since.

In 2014, KIVO expanded its operations with the establishment of KIVO Kosovo, a joint venture with VM3. The new plant in Kosovo hosts all production processes, such as extrusion, printing and sealing, similar to our facilities in Volendam. This expansion strengthened our market position and offered new opportunities thanks to the motivated, highly skilled local workforce.

In 2018, KIVO Recycling was established, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. This facility in Volendam processes our production surplus into high-quality films for non-food applications. This move allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a circular economy.

In 2019, KIVO took an important step in its commitment to sustainability by establishing the REKS joint venture. This partnership, which focuses on recycling and the use of recycled materials, strengthened KIVO's position as a leader in the sustainable packaging industry. REKS was established to develop innovative recycling methods and promote the circular economy. Thanks to this joint venture, KIVO can now even better meet the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions, while contributing to the reduction of plastic waste.

In 2022, KIVO further expanded its sustainable initiatives by entering into a strategic partnership between REKS, Kras Recycling and SCG Chemical. This collaboration marked a new phase in KIVO's commitment to circularity and sustainable innovation. Joining forces with Kras Recycling, a leading company in recycling, and SCG Chemical, a major player in chemical technology, created a synergy that significantly increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the recycling process. This alliance enables KIVO to further close the plastic materials loop and produce high-quality recycled raw materials that meet the strictest environmental standards.

In 2024, KIVO took an important step towards making its production processes more sustainable with the installation of hundreds of solar panels at KIVO Kosovo. The solar panels power the factory with green electricity, which not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels, but also contributes to lower CO2 emissions. This step fits perfectly with KIVO's broader strategy to provide environmentally friendly packaging solutions and set an example in the industry.