On Friday, October 20, Smart Packaging Solutions opened its new Competence Center in Belgium. Fruit and vegetable customers and those from the fish sector came to take a look. A party for company employees followed on Saturday.
"In the Competence Center, we test all new designs to see exactly what clients need. People come in here with a packaging idea and leave with a box. We translate what customers want into the production environment," says Business Unit Manager Johan de Neef.
Johan de Neef (right) with Frederic Stanz of Smart Packaging Solutions
At the Competence Center, fruit and vegetable clients got a glimpse of the solid cardboard fruit and packaging options. They could choose different cardboard types that are then tested for strength and water absorption. All boxes are, for example, tested in a special climate chamber.
All Smart Packaging's packaging is 100% circular, De Neef points out. "It's made from recycled fibers or fibers of known, safe origin. You can then recycle the whole packaging back into renewable material. We also make every effort to produce our fruit and vegetable packaging in an environmentally friendly way."
"With minimal CO2 emissions, too. Before sustainability was a hot topic, we already paid plenty of attention to the environment. For instance, we generate green electricity, we're among the top in our industry regarding CO2 reduction, and we think out of the box by supporting ecological initiatives," Johan explains.
The fruit and vegetable sector customers got a company tour where they saw how Plano packaging is processed into ready-to-use set-up boxes and trays. "Fresh fruit and vegetable products must be packaged quickly and efficiently. We know that flexibility is needed and, thus, customize for streamlined fresh produce processing."
What is the packaging company's biggest challenge? "Supermarket demand is currently changing at lightning speed. The trick isn't to anticipate this; it's to stay ahead of it. Hence, this Competence Center, where we react to market demand in a flash and proactively propose packaging solutions," Johan answers.
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For more information:
Johan De Neef
Smart Packaging Solutions
120 Oude Baan
9200, Oudegem-Dendermonde, NL
Tel: +32 (0) 522 61 925
Email: [email protected]
www.smart-packaging-solutions.com