Switzerland-based SIG Combibloc Group AG, a leading provider of systems and solutions for aseptic packaging, inaugurated the first-of-its-kind Innovation Center in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) in cooperation with US-based SPX FLOW last month, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations in the region.
The landmark center was officially inaugurated at SIG’s regional headquarters at DSO – Dubai’s integrated free zone technology park – in association with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and SPX FLOW on the eve of Gulfood Manufacturing 2021. Samuel Sigrist, CEO at SIG, Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Deputy CEO at DSOA, and Gerard Lang, Vice President, Nutrition & Health Systems at SPX FLOW were among the senior officials present during the function.
The new hub provides new and unparalleled opportunities for the development of the food and beverage sector through new technologies provided by the center, such as SPX FLOW’s Ultra High Temperature (UHT) treatment which exists in two separate process methods, direct and indirect heating, with beverages being the key area of application.
The center also includes the SIGCUBATOR, SIG’s accelerator programme for start-ups and small companies who need just a spark to ignite the next novel food and drink innovation.
The new center’s four-stage process, from concept development to design, including recipe development and packaging, to trial production and merchandising, provides full support to existing customers and new businesses, to accelerate product development and new packaging systems in the modern facility.
Speaking at the inauguration, Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG, said, “The launch of the new center today is a new milestone for SIG and the food and beverage industry in the region. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in the Middle East and Africa region, we look forward to leading the next era of growth and driving innovation in the food and beverage space in the region and beyond. With our customers and partners, we will continue to focus on developing the sector, by providing advanced and sustainable technologies and introducing world-class innovations.”
“The project is in line with the UAE’s vision for the next phase of growth: ‘Projects of the 50’. Our leadership has placed digital, technical, and scientific innovation and excellence at the heart of this vision in order for the country to become the capital of the future. The opening of the SIG Center will define new development and economic frontiers, supporting talent, companies, and investments in these sectors,” added Dr. Al Matrooshi, Deputy CEO of DSOA.
Abdelghany Eladib, SIG’s President and General Manager – Middle East and Africa, said, “It is not surprising that Dubai Silicon Oasis, which is a hub for innovation and modern technology-based sectors, is home to our first research and development center in the Middle East and Africa region. Developed with the support of SPX FLOW, our Innovation Center will open up countless opportunities for existing companies and start-ups alike.”
The SIG Innovation Center is designed to assist food and beverage companies in the region and support new entrepreneurs looking to set up businesses in the food and beverage category. Its state-of-the-art extrusion technology, innovative quality measurement system, advanced testing equipment, and future digital technology capabilities enable faster development of new products and packaging materials that meet the growing consumer demand for sustainability. SIGCUBATOR offers new, emerging companies in the food and beverage sector an unparalleled opportunity to develop the perfect recipe, relying on SIG’s global network of ingredient suppliers, producing those recipes in the company’s DSO factory, and launching the products in the market without having to incur high costs in setting up an integrated production facility.
