The Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (ITDI) launched two new packaging testing laboratories seeing to promote packaging innovations in the country and support the needs of local and domestic industries and consumers.
The DOST-ITDI inaugurated on Dec. 21 the Simulation Packaging Testing Laboratory (SPTL) and Green Packaging Laboratory (GPL), which are among the DOST’s Big 21 projects.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said both laboratories “are expected to be in full operation in March 2022.”
He said the SPTL provides a venue to simulate actual hazards that packaged products will undergo during distribution.
The laboratory is managed by the Packaging Technology Division (PTD) of ITDI.
The first floor of the SPTL features a showroom, bay area and conditioning room, product stability room, warehouse, packaging design room, and performance testing room, the DOST-ITDI said.
De la Peña cited that the laboratory can design and test the performance of transport packaging for various types of products such as food, furniture/house décor, pharmaceutical and personal care products, and soon dangerous goods.
On the other hand, the GPL aims to support research on packaging options, alternative packaging materials, and green and sustainable technologies that manufacturers and end-users of packaging may consider, he said.
These include studies on all types of packaging materials, bioplastics, new and alternative packaging materials from indigenous and renewable materials, circularity of petroleum-based materials, improved processes to reduce energy consumption and waste materials, and recycling technology.
The SPTL facility houses the GPL.
“The establishment of SPTL and GPL aims to promote packaging innovations in the country and support the needs of local and domestic industries and consumers,” de la Peña said.
He said the SPTL and GPL were open for partnership with industry, private sector, academe, and other government units in packaging research, innovation, and development of packaging standards.