Henkel Adhesive Technologies has opened an upgraded Packaging Competence Center in Düsseldorf, Germany, integrating testing, development and training activities into one site.
The revamp follows the company’s strategic partnership with Nordmeccanica, announced in May 2025, and is intended to support work on sustainability in flexible packaging.
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The facility has been fitted with new equipment to provide a testing set-up that mirrors production conditions. This allows customers to assess adhesive and coating systems in situations closer to industrial use and to prepare them for scale-up.
Among the additions are two Nordmeccanica machines, the Super Combi 5000 and the Super Simplex SL e800, which cover standard lamination and coating processes used in the sector.
The centre also includes five flexible application trolleys using gearless flexo coating technology, as well as expanded digital tools for structured data collection.
The company has also upgraded its testing area for pressure-sensitive adhesive applications in the same building.
This laboratory space now includes coating systems, ultraviolet (UV) activation equipment and measurement systems for work related to the speciality tapes and labels segment.
Henkel said the updated facility is linked with the neighbouring Inspiration Center Düsseldorf.
According to the company, this connects chemistry development, application testing, industrial validation and training, covering stages from product design to recycling through its in-house recyclability testing lab.
The company also provides support via programmes such as the Converter’s Academy, the PSA Academy, and other customer training focused on application technologies and production transfer.
Henkel Europe packaging adhesives and coatings head Dirk Martin said: “The choice of adhesive or coating made today is defining the packages that will reach the shelves tomorrow.
“With our Packaging Competence Center, we are making sure those choices are the right ones by giving our customers and partners a unique environment to develop, test, and scale the solutions that will shape the future of packaging: faster, smarter and more sustainably than ever before.”
Last month, Henkel Adhesive Technologies expanded its paper coatings range with water-based barrier and heat-seal products for paper packaging.
The new products are meant to improve the performance of paper-based packs and support design for recycling efforts.
