Tetra Pak launches first pilot plant operation of the company in Latin America

Tetra Pak started operations of a plant for testing of new products. Part of an investment of R $40 million in a customer Innovation Center, this is the first installation of the company in Latin America. "It's a little factory for testing of new products. All our customers have access and there's request mainly for companies in Brazil and South America ", explains the Director of Tetra Pak ' s marketing services for the Americas, Julia Sotera. The framework integrates the customer Innovation Center of the company, located in Monte Mor (SP) and is focused on dairy products (milk chocolate), cold drinks (juices, coconut water and flavored drinks) and prepared food. "Some companies looking to test new ingredients or a new supplier of raw material," points out Julia. According to the Executive, the installation brings the operational advantage to prevent the company from the client interrupt your production line to test a product still under development. "So, it is possible to produce results close to reality, but with reduced costs," explains. Tetra Pak estimates that the plant supports around of 900 samples per test, the equivalent of about 250 liters per tank. "The idea is to be an intermediary between the commercial production and laboratory scale," says Julia. The customer Innovation Center is the 4th of the company in the world and is part of an overall strategy to assist the industry to devise, develop and test new products. "The equipment is configured according to local demands. We also offer training for teams of clients. " In addition customer Innovation Center, Tetra Pak has two factories in Brazil: one in Karachi and one in Ponta Grossa (PR) operation in the Country is the second-largest company, behind only China. Julia says that recycling Tetra Pak seeks to offer its clients the possibility of integrating the recycler, chain offering packages of higher added value. "It's part of the company's internal innovation and we invite our customers to take part." She believes that currently there is a greater demand due to more stringent environmental laws. The company operates in the development of the market of recycled paper and green tiles, and recently began working with the segment of products made from plastic, seeking to replace the conventional raw materials for plastic-aluminum recycled. "We work to ensure that the packaging is seen as a source of post-consumer resources and not as waste. It is essential for new production processes are established and thus keep the circularity of the raw materials, "according to the Director of environment of Tetra Pak, Valeria Michel. Currently, several initiatives to ban the plastic composition of packaging and utensils have occurred in the country. In July of this year, the Rio de Janeiro became the first brazilian city to ban the use of plastic straws in commercial establishments. In the Senate, clears the 263/2018 Bill, which bans the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of plastic bags for packaging and transportation of goods and food consumption. An example of change in the industry brought on by environmental concern are soft drink companies returning to use glass bottles, pet instead. Beyond the environmental appeal, the use of glass would cost reduction by reusing containers.