Amcor proudly marked the dual milestone of 100 years of packaging excellence at its Belgian site in Ghent, alongside the first anniversary of the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe.
The rich history of Amcor Ghent notably includes the creation of easy-peel film technology in 1972, which has since become a global standard for sterile medical equipment packaging as well as for pre-packaged slices of charcuterie and cheeses.
Building upon this legacy, Amcor Ghent underwent a significant expansion last year, establishing the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe (AICE). This collaborative space fosters co-creation among Amcor experts and brands, driving the future of food and beverage packaging. Within the AICE, materials scientists work in tandem with packaging designers to develop innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the European market.
“Our team draws on a century of local expertise, combined with Amcor’s global know-how, to help brands find consumer-friendly and more sustainable packaging without compromising on technical performance,” shares Kris Buysens, Innovation Center and Material Science Center director at Amcor Ghent. “Located in the heart of Europe, our team can help brands navigate the sustainability requirements of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), setting the standard for all packaging sold in Europe. Additionally, our marketing experts analyze Europeans’ shopping and consumption habits, influencing their preferences for packaging formats and functionality compared to consumers in other regions.”
In its inaugural year, the AICE has successfully hosted over 100 customer teams, welcoming more than 500 visitors to collaboratively create packaging solutions, run trials, and attend Amcor University sessions. These sessions cover various topics, from the technical properties of packaging materials to enhancing recyclability.
A key focus of the AICE is driving sustainability improvements through:
- Recycle-ready solutions: Developing and trialing innovative, recycle-ready materials.
- Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content: Integrating PCR resins into new packaging to comply with the impending PPWR targets.
- Paper-based solutions: Innovating paper-based packaging, including high-barrier options such as AmFiber Performance Paper, across a wide range of applications.
- Lightweighting and decarbonization: Creating innovative format designs to minimize material use and facilitate decarbonization, such as spouted refill pouches that accommodate up to 2-liters of products like laundry detergents, and bag-with-pump systems for sauces to replace individual sachets in restaurants.
The AICE features a state-of-the-art Material Science Center, which accelerates packaging development utilizing Amcor’s analytical expertise and advanced equipment. It includes tools capable of producing rapid prototypes for concept iteration.
New packaging can also be assessed for performance on-site. Eight test filling lines, mimicking customers’ packing operations, facilitate runability trials for various food, beverage, and healthcare products. Once filled, packages undergo performance testing in the Analytical Lab, delivering quick feedback to streamline development cycles.
In response to the growing demands of online retail, the site’s E-Commerce Lab is specially equipped to test packaging for e-commerce distribution. This specialized lab conducts the necessary evaluations for ISTA 6 certification, validating packaging for secure shipment through platforms like Amazon.
The AICE also evaluates recyclability in its Packaging and Recycling Test Center. Employing industry-standard methodologies, the team assesses the recyclability of different packages.
“We are partnering with Amcor to help advance the recycling of packaging,” states Annemarie Abbeel, senior expert in design for recycling at Fost Plus, a Belgian non-profit organization that promotes and finances the collection, sorting, and recycling of household packaging waste. “We share a common goal: to create a circular economy by designing packaging that facilitates and accelerates sorting and recycling. At the Amcor facility in Ghent, newly developed packaging structures, including paper-based options, are assessed for their recyclability.”
