The Philippines’ first simulation packaging testing laboratory (SPTL) will be at par with those of other countries, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.

In a statement, the DOST said that the SPTL, which is currently under construction, will be the first performance testing lab for transport packaging in the country.

The facility targets to assist the different industry sectors in the areas of packaging design, performance testing, and development of standards for transport packaging used in goods distribution, and in packaging for e-delivery service.

“The simulation packaging testing laboratory (SPTL) being established will be at par with other countries,” said Daisy E. Tañafranca, chief of the Packaging Technology Division (PTD) of DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI).

Tañafranca added that the SPTL will help prevent or minimize product damage while in transit, reduce packaging cost, and comply with regulations both in the local and international markets.

Aside from the SPTL, the DOST will also be establishing a green packaging laboratory (GPL). The facility is currently undergoing construction.

It will serve as venue for research and development and technology innovations in the areas of alternative packaging materials from indigenous and renewable materials, as well as from agricultural wastes.

While the construction of the laboratories is still ongoing, the PTD of DOST-ITDI offers performance testing, but to a limited dimension of boxes and International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)-testing protocols.

Meanwhile, products from large and multi-national companies are tested abroad, it said.

“The SPTL is very useful to the different industry sectors to include agricultural products, food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, personal care, furniture/handicraft, delivery service, etc. from micro to multi-nationals,” Tañafranca said.