Sonoco Products Company, one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, has unveiled a new multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art centre in Columbus, Ohio. 

The 11,000 square foot Steel Can Technology Institute includes modern laboratories, prototyping equipment, training rooms, and collaboration spaces. The opening of the Sonoco Metal Packaging Technical & Engineering Centre demonstrates the company’s commitment to expand leadership in sustainable metal packaging and creates a centralised location to support customers with design support, advanced technical services, process development, engineering, and training.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Ernest Haynes, President of Sonoco’s metal packaging business stated, “We are excited to unveil our new state-of-the-art centre which supports another milestone in our pursuit of excellence and our unwavering commitment to high-quality, precision manufactured metal packaging. Our new centre will foster even greater collaboration and productivity in a unified workspace where Sonoco will bring together can makers, brand owners, industry suppliers, and scientific partners to harness the latest advances in technology and deliver greater value to our customers.”

Sonoco is a leading manufacturer of sustainable metal packaging for food and beverage products and one of the largest aerosol can producers in North America. Sonoco produces steel tinplate 2-piece and 3-piece aerosol and food cans along with closures and packaging components from twelve manufacturing operations across the U.S.

Technical support is in high demand, particularly for shelf-life testing and package performance. Sonoco specifically offers expertise in package performance an integrity testing, real-time shelf-life testing, electrochemical corrosion testing, among others. 

Additionally, Sonoco offers customized training opportunities accommodating large groups and facilitates comprehensive education on can manufacturing processes to accelerate production ramps, increase throughput, and improve quality.

Sonoco President and CEO, Howard Coker, commented, “We continue to invest in our packaging portfolio to leverage new technologies and innovations and provide our customers with the most modern and efficient solutions in the industry. The opening of our new Steel Can Technology Institute stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to provide superior solutions in leading-edge technology, design, and manufacturing for our customers.”

With net sales of approximately $6.8 billion in 2023, Sonoco has approximately 22,000 employees working in more than 300 operations around the world, serving some of the world’s best-known brands.