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Amcor Opens State-of-the-Art European Innovation Center to Revolutionize Sustainable Packaging

Submitted by J. Mikhail on

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 23, 2024 – Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, today announced the grand opening of its European Innovation Center (AICE) in Ghent, Belgium. This cutting-edge facility will serve as a collaborative hub for brands and retailers across Europe to develop innovative packaging solutions that prioritize sustainability, functionality, and consumer appeal.

Amcor's investment in the AICE underscores its commitment to advancing the packaging industry by fostering collaboration between industry experts, material scientists, and brand partners. The center's strategic location in Ghent,a major European logistics hub, further enhances its accessibility and potential impact.

A Comprehensive Approach to Packaging Innovation

The AICE boasts a comprehensive suite of capabilities designed to guide packaging solutions from concept to commercialization:

  • Material Science Center: Drives research and development of innovative materials that reduce carbon footprint,such as recyclable mono-material alternatives and bio-based polymers. The center also explores advancements in high-barrier paper packaging and nanocoating technologies. State-of-the-art analytical labs rigorously test new materials for performance and sustainability.
  • Customer Engagement Center: Facilitates collaborative sessions and consumer focus groups, providing valuable insights into packaging appeal and usability. A simulated retail environment allows for real-world testing of packaging designs across various consumer scenarios.
  • E-Commerce Lab: Ensures packaging meets rigorous ISTA 6 standards for e-commerce distribution,guaranteeing safe and efficient delivery of products.
  • Packaging and Recycling Test Center: (Coming Soon) This center will feature small-scale packing lines that replicate real-world production environments, allowing for in-house machine trials. Recycling equipment will enable Amcor to evaluate the recyclability of packaging in real-world scenarios.

Driving Sustainability Through Collaboration

"Our goal is to create packaging that consumers love and that benefits the environment," said Noemi Bertolino, Vice President of Research & Development at Amcor. "Packaging needs to be visually appealing, easy to use, and suitable for current and future recycling systems. The AICE allows us to comprehensively test packaging against these criteria."

Amcor has set ambitious sustainability targets, pledging to make all of its packaging recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025 and significantly increase the use of recycled content. The AICE aligns with this commitment, as it is housed in a building designed and constructed according to BREEAM sustainability certification standards.

A Vision for the Future of Packaging

Michael Zacka, President of Amcor Flexibles Europe, Middle East, and Africa, stated, "The AICE represents a significant investment in our pursuit of more sustainable, circular, and innovative packaging. By bringing together the brightest minds in the industry and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we are confident in our ability to deliver exceptional brand solutions to our customers."

Through its collaborative approach, Amcor is poised to revolutionize the packaging landscape, empowering brands to achieve their sustainability goals while meeting consumer demands for functional and visually appealing packaging.The AICE is a testament to Amcor's dedication to innovation and its vision for a more sustainable future.

About Amcor

Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for a wide range of industries,including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal care. The company is committed to making packaging that is lighter weight, recyclable, reusable, and increasingly made from recycled content.

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