EVANSVILLE - Berry Global has opened its new 'Circular Innovation and Training Centre' in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The new 12,000 square foot facility will accelerate the development of products driven by materials science and engineering, foster a collaborative space for training, and incubate cutting-edge stretch film projects that help keep materials in use and out of the environment.

“Now more than ever, the ability to access premium films with tailored performance and circularity benefits is crucial for our distributors, as they strive to meet the evolving sustainability demands of consumers and the market at large,” said Phil Stolz, EVP & general manager for Flexibles. “This new centre represents a significant investment in education, technology, and sustainability to help our customers unpack complexities and understand what’s possible for the flexible packaging market.”

Stretch films are made with thin, lightweight, extruded plastic and wrapped around a product to achieve load integrity. This promotes sustainability by eliminating or reducing breakage, damage, and loss of products during shipment. Showcasing a range of wrapping machines and film evaluation equipment, Berry’s new center will spur the development of new Bmore Circular Solutions across ultra-high-performance films that support a circular economy through the use of recycled content, material downgauging, and more.

Lighter weight stretch films require less raw materials and energy to produce, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and plastic waste.

The centre also offers a space for distributors to broaden their knowledge of Berry’s stretch film products and applications through a range of educational and immersive training sessions led by internal subject matter experts.

To cater to the unique interests of distributors, these training courses will cover a variety of topics, including Stretch Film 101, Wrapping Dynamics and Optimization, the Benefits of Berry’s Ultra and Premium Circular Films, Partnership Building, and more.