Broad-based machinery supplier Valmet Converting opened its new Converting Technology Center (CTC) at Valmet Rotomec SpA, near Milan, Italy, last month. A special Inauguration Ceremony will be held May 16.

Originally reported on by Converting early last year, the center covers 21,500 sq ft and adjoins the existing production facility at Rotomec in San Giorgio Monferrato. It initially features Rotomec gravure- and flexographic-printing and laminating and Titan slitting/rewinding technology.

The center's aim: build stronger relations with Valmet's customer base and bring the joint development of advanced technology solutions closer, within the sphere of flexible-packaging materials, the company says. It's hoped the CTC will become a "center of excellence" and a significant R&D site for improving converting processes dedicated to flex-pack solutions.

Production-scale machinery at the CTC provides customers with an opportunity to enhance processes, redefine production concepts and conduct user trials.