Constantia Flexibles opens new competence center for films

The competence center represents a multi-million investment to upgrade existing R&D equipment and infrastructure, and sees 15 experts working on close to 100 projects every year. Their focus is on: supporting product and sales managers by analyzing and testing the composition of the latest film products; developing new film formulations with raw material suppliers in order to obtain the optimal quality and meet stringent food contact legislation in a transparent way; and developing mock-ups of in-house innovations for customers to meet long-term trends such as more recycling-friendly packaging.

‘Today’s opening is a clear signal that we will support our customers around the globe with innovative film products,’ said Gerold Riegler, board member at Constantia Flexibles. ‘In addition, we are currently planning our own lab-scale film production line for 2016 with the installation of an extruder.’

Alexander Baumgartner, who recently started in the role of CEO of Constantia Flexibles, was present for the opening.

The competence center is located at the Constantia Hueck Folien production plant in Weiden, Germany. Constantia Flexibles already operates a competence center for aluminum and foil laminates at its plant in Weinburg, Austria.

About 50 percent of the group’s sales are reported from film-based packaging for food, beverage, and home and personal care products. Global demand is being driven by the Asian and African continents, Constantia Flexibles said, and it expects its share of sales from film-based products to increase in the future.