Amcor expands Barcelona innovation centre with 3D printing capabilities

SPAIN – Amcor has strengthened its product development capabilities in Europe with the installation of advanced 3D printing technology at its rigid packaging innovation centre in Barcelona.

The addition marks the completion of a global rollout of 3D printing systems across all five of the company’s rigid packaging innovation hubs, located in Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and China.

With the technology now embedded at each site, Amcor says its regional teams can collaborate more seamlessly to accelerate packaging development for health, beauty and wellness, nutrition, and food and beverage markets.

According to the company, the 3D printing systems allow designers and engineers to convert CAD files into physical prototypes within hours, significantly shortening development timelines.

The models enable early-stage evaluation of pack aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality, and manufacturability before tooling investments are made.

They can also be used to produce sample packs for preliminary consumer testing, helping brands validate concepts and refine designs ahead of commercial launch.

Amcor operates ten innovation centres globally, each designed to provide market-specific technical support and design expertise.

Alejandra Beltran, vice-president R&D for global rigid packaging solutions, said speed to market is increasingly critical in competitive consumer goods categories.

“In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive markets, speed of new product development and the ability to react quickly to changing market and consumer demands are fundamental to achieving success,” Beltran said. She added that the company’s collaborative R&D model enables customers to co-develop packaging solutions that enhance user experience while supporting sustainability targets.

The Barcelona expansion comes amid a series of new product introductions within Amcor’s rigid portfolio.

Recently, the company unveiled its Mocha bottle design for the beauty and personal care sector.

The bottle features a rounded base and curved shoulders, offering a contemporary silhouette and a large surface area for branding. It is available in multiple colours and finishes, targeting premium positioning.

In January, Amcor also expanded into the de-icing segment, broadening its range of rigid and flexible packaging solutions tailored to industrial, commercial, and consumer applications.

The portfolio now includes rectangular containers, jerry cans, trigger spray bottles, and flexible bags engineered to perform in harsh winter conditions.

The company said the designs focus on durability, product protection, and ease of handling, while incorporating recyclable formats and recycled content where possible.

The move reflects wider industry efforts to balance performance with circularity, as packaging manufacturers respond to tightening regulations and brand-owner sustainability commitments worldwide.

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