Henkel unveils modernised Packaging Competence Center

At a time when the packaging industry is accelerating its shift towards sustainability, circularity, and digital manufacturing, Henkel Adhesive Technologies has inaugurated its modernised Packaging Competence Centre in Duesseldorf. The development was highlighted on the official website of Interpack, underlining the project’s relevance to the global packaging and converting industry.

According to information published on the official Interpack website, Henkel has invested a seven-figure sum into the upgraded facility, which is designed as a collaborative hub where customers and partners can jointly develop, test, and scale packaging solutions under real production conditions.

Dirk Martin, head of packaging adhesives and coatings Europe at Henkel, said the centre has been developed to help customers make the right material and technology choices for the future of packaging.

As reported by Interpack’s official news platform, the modernisation builds on Henkel’s strategic partnership with Nordmeccanica, announced in May 2025, to drive innovation and sustainability in flexible packaging.

The facility houses two new Nordmeccanica systems — the Super Combi 5000 and the Super Simplex SL E800 — which replicate industry-standard lamination and coating processes. Both machines are fully digital and equipped with online coating weight systems for systematic data acquisition and process control.

Vincenzo Cerciello, vice-president at Nordmeccanica, said the collaboration would allow packaging companies to test, optimise, and scale solutions with greater speed and precision.

The official Interpack report noted that the Packaging Competence Center has been designed to tackle two major industry priorities: recyclable packaging structures and the use of sustainable ingredients. Henkel said coatings technology would play a key role in enabling mono-material packaging solutions that improve recyclability.

The centre supports gravure and flexographic coating applications for both plastic and paper substrates, while Henkel’s portfolio at the site includes solvent-free, water-based, and solvent-based adhesive systems alongside coating technologies.

Henkel has also expanded its pressure-sensitive adhesive testing capabilities within the same facility, adding coating equipment, UV activation systems, and measurement technologies targeted at the specialty tapes and labels segment.

Integrated with Henkel’s neighbouring Inspiration Centre Duesseldorf, the Packaging Competence Centre offers customers access to development, testing, industrial validation, recycling analysis, and training services within one location.

Henkel additionally supports converters through initiatives such as the Converter’s Academy, aimed at helping customers adopt advanced application technologies and accelerate commercial production readiness.