SIG invests €12m in new Tech Center Europe
The new Tech Center will help expedite new product and packaging development, to meet the demand for more sustainable packaging solutions.
In the new Tech Center Europe existing R&D Test Field & Prototype and combiLab facilities will be complemented with a new pilot plant, which will host extrusion and finishing technology as well as quality measurement systems and testing equipment. The company said this will increase serial production processability, system validation and future digital technology capacities.
Built according to the latest and most effective energy standards and food hygiene regulations, the pilot plant is scheduled to be operational by end of 2022. It will increase the co-development of products with SIG customers, speeding up innovation cycles by carrying out short-run test fillings. It will also serve as a showcase plant and modern location for project interaction with customers and stakeholder meetings.
Marcel Schopen, department manager test field, prototype and pilot plant at SIG, said, “Our new Tech Center Europe will make us even faster and more efficient in bringing new products and packaging solutions to market. It will help our customers to keep one step ahead of trends and changing consumer demands. In the pilot plant and test field of our Tech Center we support all processes from start to finish, including sleeve production, filling products and pallet packing.”
The Tech Center Europe is intended to accelerate new product and packaging development, enhancing SIG’s sustainable packaging solutions and supporting customers with complete end-to-end product launches.
José Matthijsse, president and general manager Europe at SIG, said, “Our new tech center will create capacities for packaging innovation that will shape SIG’s future growth in Europe. It will enable us to co-develop with our customers and better meet their needs, further strengthening our partnerships and expanding the service we provide to our customers in Europe.”