Constantia Flexibles has opened a new development center at its plant in Weiden, Germany which will carry out R&D in plastic films and film laminates for flexible packaging.
In a news release, the group referred to “a multi-million investment for upgrading equipment and infrastructure of the existing local R&D facilities”.
The center has 15 staff members who work on close to 100 projects every year. It focuses on developing new film formulations with polymer suppliers, as well as analyzing and testing the composition of the group's latest film products.
“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 for Constantia Flexibles. “In addition, we are currently planning our own lab-scale film production line for 2016 with the installment of an extruder.”
Constantia said global demand is being driven by the Asian and African continents and it expects the group's share of sales from film-based products, which currently stands at about 50 percent, to increase in the future.
The company also has a development center for aluminum and foil laminates at its largest plant in Weinburg, Austria.