Antalis opens smart packaging center for automation and design demonstrations

10 Jan 2022 --- French-headquartered Antalis Packaging is opening a new smart packaging center in the UK. The center features a demonstration suite for packaging automation and a dedicated packaging design studio. 

The latest developments in packaging automation, including carton and bag on-demand machinery, are showcased in the new demonstration suite. Customers can witness demonstrations of a full range of in-the-box systems in air cushion and paper technology that wrap, cushion and protect products.

The Smart Packaging Centre (SPC) will showcase such systems from major packaging suppliers, including Lantech, Sealed Air, Ranpak and Pregis.

Services in demand
Antalis has seen demand for its services grow following the initial launch of the SPC in 2018. The company’s head of innovation and design, John Garner, says this demand is driven by customers seeking solutions to their packaging’s environmental sustainability and efficiency concerns.

The new SPC has been designed to cater to this growing need. It provides customers with the opportunity to discuss their packaging requirements, see packaging automation in action, and packaging design solutions developed with samples quickly created on site.

Providing customers with the opportunity to see automation in action is a huge benefit. “A lot of our focus at the SPC is on helping customers to understand how they can futureproof their business,” explains Garner.The Smart Packaging Centre will demonstrate systems by Lantech, Sealed Air, Ranpak and Pregis.

“Having the opportunity to see automated packaging machinery working makes it easier for them to understand the features of the different machines and to visualize how it might integrate with their existing set-up.”

Artwork design
The new dedicated design studio offers innovative packaging design and artwork design. Once a packaging solution has been developed on screen, samples can be created – and printed – in the demonstration suite.

The ability to create fully printed samples is proving very popular with customers. Garner says: “We have had an injection of fresh thinking from our talented university interns, two of whom are now working full time in the studio. They have wowed us – and our customers – with their fresh ideas and ability to create packaging solutions.”

PackagingInsights sat down with Garner last year for an in-depth discussion. With the UK struggling with labor and material shortages, he warned planning for peak packaging season has never been more critical.

Garner shared his advice on navigating challenges ranging from the UK Plastic Packaging Tax to Brexit labor shortages and COVID-19-induced material supply disruptions.

“If you thought peak 2020 was challenging, 2021 is throwing us even more curveballs, plus the Plastic Packaging Tax is looming ever closer, so it’s important to ensure any decisions made now are mindful of that, too,” he said.

By Joshua Poole

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