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Packaging provider SIG has announced the opening of its €10 million Packaging Development Center, located at the site of its packaging plants in Linnich, Germany. The new centre aims to accelerate new and sustainable packaging innovations. According to SIG, it features state-of-the-art extrusion and finishing technology coupled with advanced quality measurement systems and testing equipment.

It will ‘significantly’ increase the company’s packaging processability in serial production, system validation and capacity for future digital technologies. The Packaging Development Center is built according to the latest and most effective energy standards, SIG added, aiming to further expand SIG’s position in sustainable packaging solutions and speed up the development of innovative new formats and materials. Marcel Schopen, department manager, test field, prototype and pilot plant at SIG, said that in today’s fast-paced food and beverage industry, there is a “vital” need to be “one step ahead with new product development”. He added: “Our high-end Packaging Development Center means we can support our customers at greater speed, with complete end-to-end solutions. We will be able to develop and validate new packaging solutions and innovative packaging materials even faster and more efficiently.” “Together with our existing co-creation and test-filling facilities for food and beverage products, we can produce carton sleeves, fill products in line with food hygiene regulations and pack them on pallets – operating like packaging and food & beverage mini factories from start to finish.” SIG’s chief technology officer, Gavin Steiner, said the new centre “perfectly complements” SIG’s existing facilities and enhances its ability to deliver “breakthrough developments”. Headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, SIG has approximately 9,000 employees worldwide and customers in over 100 countries. The company produced 49 billion packs and generated $3.1 billion in pro forma revenue in 2022.