MICC: Making greener packs

Why an innovation centre?
In emerging economies like India, when the market is growing at a very fast pace, all the assets and resources are deployed for meeting the existing demand that leaves limited scope for product innovation. Michelman realised that many packaging converters in India are not equipped for innovating in-house. Therefore we decided to emulate our converters manufacturing facility at one centre, which will be completely dedicated to product innovation, which is the Michelman Innovation Centre for Coatings (MICC).

Focus on flexible packaging
MICC is a dedicated space with technical capability and technology that allows for collaborative innovation between brand owners, film producers, converters, packaging institutes, and others involved in the research and development of sustainable packaging. Collaboration with Michelman’s technical and market experts allows all members of the packaging value chain to accelerate the concept-to-commercialisation cycle with innovations that will produce sustainable packaging. MICC supports innovation and hence, Michelman’s innovation partners can use the packaging incubator at no cost.

How is it done?
MICC is a world-class packaging incubator that hosts testing equipment to support the formulation and evaluation processes involved with flexible packaging. We conduct tests to evaluate laminate durability, effects of laminate structure on product shelf life, techno feasibility analysis, etc. We conduct hundreds of such tests, and many of these can be done only at MICC.

Packaging prototyping
MICC is a space dedicated to innovation. Michelman partners can come to MICC with an idea and with the help of our experts these ideas can be developed, prototyped and tested in-house.  MICC is a centre for rapid prototyping that enables our partners to evaluate new technology, prototype innovative structures and quickly commercialise superior packaging.

Training
Michelman is committed to training industry’s next generation of packaging engineers, MICC hosts a training and conference facility, which is available for use by all members of the packaging value chain, including students of packaging institutes. We support apprenticeship, and we are in the process of formalising a programme for students.

Hot topics
Plastic waste management, recyclability, downgauging, mono-material packaging.