Global sustainable packaging company Sonoco has opened its new multimillion-dollar Metal Packaging Technical & Engineering Center in Columbus, Ohio, US.
The facility, spanning 11,000ft², is equipped with laboratories, prototyping equipment, and training and collaborative spaces.
The new centre, located at 2850 Charter Street, provides a centralised location to deliver design support, process development, technical services, engineering, and training.
Sonoco metal packaging business president Ernest Haynes said: “We are excited to unveil our new state-of-the-art centre which supports another milestone in our pursuit of excellence and our unwavering commitment to high-quality, precision manufactured metal packaging.
“Our new centre will foster even greater collaboration and productivity in a unified workspace where Sonoco will bring together can makers, brand owners, industry suppliers, and scientific partners to harness the latest advances in technology and deliver greater value to our customers.”
Headquartered in South Carolina, US, Sonoco manufactures metal packaging for food and beverage products and is one of the major producers of aerosol cans in North America.
With 12 manufacturing operations across the US, the company produces steel tinplate two-piece and three-piece aerosol and food cans, as well as closures and packaging components.
It also specialises in package performance and integrity testing, real-time shelf-life testing, and electrochemical corrosion testing.
The company also provides training programmes for large groups, focusing on can manufacturing processes to boost production efficiency and quality.
Sonoco president and CEO Howard Coker said: "The opening of our new Steel Can Technology Institute stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to provide superior solutions in leading-edge technology, design, and manufacturing for our customers."
In January this year, Sonoco Products entered into an agreement to divest its Protective Solutions packaging business for approximately $80m in cash.
