Nestlé has officially opened the Institute of Packaging Sciences, the first of its kind in the food industry.
The new institute allows Nestlé to accelerate its efforts to bring functional, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions to market to address the global challenge of plastic packaging waste. “ Our vision is of a world where none of our packaging ends up in landfills or as litter. To achieve this, we offer reusable packaging solutions and pioneering, eco-friendly packaging materials. Furthermore, we support the development of local recycling infrastructure and deposit systems to help shape a waste-free world. The Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences allows us to create a strong pipeline of sustainable packaging solutions for Nestlé products across all our businesses and in all countries where we operate ,” says Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé.
Nestlé's Institute of Packaging Sciences focuses on various areas of science and technology, such as refillable or reusable packaging, simplified packaging materials, recycled packaging materials, high-performance barrier papers, as well as bio-based, compostable and biodegradable materials. “ Reducing plastic waste and mitigating the effects of climate change through cutting-edge technology and product design is a priority for us. Nestlé experts are co-developing and testing new environmentally friendly packaging materials and systems, together with our development centers, our suppliers, and other research institutions and startups. Located at our Nestlé Research facility in Lausanne, Switzerland, the institute also leverages our existing research capabilities in food safety, analysis and food science ,” explains Stefan Palzer, Chief Technology Officer at Nestlé.
At the inauguration of this center, Sander Defruyt, leader of the new plastics economy at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, added that “ Nestlé was one of the first companies to sign the global commitment of the new plastics economy, setting concrete goals to eliminate plastic waste and pollution at the source. It’s great to see the world’s largest food and beverage company increasing its research focus and its ability to fulfill these ambitions .”
Nestlé is already making progress towards its commitments to have 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025 and has launched new packaging solutions. For example, Nestlé's packaging experts and suppliers have developed products in recyclable paper packaging, such as Nesquik All Natural chocolate drink and YES! snacks, in less than 12 months.
