Close×

Amcor will open a new innovation centre in the US, focused on home and personal care brands.

The site in New Albany, Ohio, will deliver what Sean Kharche, vice-president of Amcor’s home and personal care market, describes as award-winning design expertise; rapid prototyping; product sampling; and testing capabilities.

“Our customers want innovation and speed to market and we have responded by providing one-stop access to Amcor’s industry-leading capabilities in Ohio. The goal is to help our customers develop products with unprecedented flexibility and speed,” he said.

A cross-functional team of designers, engineers, and technical specialists at the innovation centre will work with customers on their product concepts; customers will also be able to access products such as barrier technologies, e-commerce, PCR, and sustainable solutions. The centre will combat what Amcor calls the ‘sea of sameness’ in consumer brand packaging.

Amcor this year closed a $A9.2bn merger deal with US-based packaging giant Bemis, expanding its footprint in North America.

Food & Drink Business

As the Australian functional beverage market continues to grow, emerging companies are still finding places to slot in. Alcohol recovery drink, Dodge, hit stores in mid-2022, and has taken off across the Asia-Pacific region with its science-backed formula and striking branding. Food & Drink Business spoke with co-founder, Braeden Leahy, about the product and plans for the future.

The former deputy chief of staff to the federal communications minister, Amanda Watson, has been appointed CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia (BAA).  Watson starts in the role on 14 July and replaces John Preston, who had been in the role for five years.

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.