Supporting our customers through research and development

Working with all aspects of the packaging supply chain

INNOVATION CENTRE

The Innovation Centre provides the technical knowledge and skills to help keep your products at the forefront of the market.

We have access to the global expertise of the Tata Steel Research and Development department. Based in IJmuiden, the Netherlands, the Innovation Centre has available to it some of the best research, development and technical resources in the steelmaking and tinplate world.

Our investigations include studies of corrosion and mechanical performance during handling, processing and storing. We use computer modelling to predict performance before the actual component is produced, speeding up development time and reducing trial and error.

Dealing with all aspects of the packaging supply chain, from welding, forming and coating to filling, seaming, sterilising and recycling, it provides excellent technological knowledge and skills. Our laboratory testing capabilities cover:

Forming and joining
Electroplating
Food processing
Corrosion testing and measurements
Coating applications
Packaging design
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

CONTAINER TECHNOLOGY

Our team at the Innovation Centre has expertise in resistance welding, deep drawing, forming, wall ironing and finite element modelling. It does research into all types of can and component manufacture, from fundamental studies of new products to process capability studies on our pilot lines.

Research into all types of can and component manufacture, from fundamental studies of new products to process capability studies on our pilot lines are carried out.

We focus on satisfying our customers' demands for cost-effective, efficient, attractive packaging. This includes manufacturing at high speeds and volumes, and how to achieve consistently high quality feedstock, coupled with requirements for lower costs.

We also cooperate with other steel makers, with can fillers and brand owners, as well as can makers on selected projects to protect and increase steel's share of the packaging market.

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Researching into all types of can and component manufacture

Coating Technology

Improvements in coatings aim to increase material quality simplify the can-making process, and enable cost savings and environmental improvements. This work offers opportunities for new packaging solutions.

The Coatings Technology knowledge group has excellent laboratory and pilot coating line facilities. Access to a range of sophisticated software programs (e.g. ELSYCA®, ASPEN®, CFX®) assists coating process optimisation through simulation. Development achievements range from improved DWI tinplate homogeneity by means of edge mask technology to new treatments for tinplate.

The group belongs to international networks of research institutes and universities, giving it access to the newest developments in metal packaging coatings.

Packaging and Performance

Quality and food safety are of course a high priority for our customers.

At the Innovation Centre we have a vast amount of expertise in food technology, materials science and corrosion technology. We have the facilities to fill, seam, process and store cans, in order to analyse the packed product and packaging during its lifecycle.