The Detmold Group’s new LaunchPad laboratory, which includes an Australian-first dedicated bag testing facility, received royal envoy attention during a recent special tour of the site.
The R&D lab in Brompton, South Australia is part of the recently-completed LaunchPad facility, which tests paper and board re-pulpability, and medical mask functional effectiveness.
Frances Adamson, governor of SA, toured the R&D laboratory with leaders of the Detmold Group, including acting co-CEO Sascha Detmold Cox, R&D manager Megan Schuttle, and chemist Sarah Bagster.
The company says its LaunchPad lab is elevating product capability testing to new standards in Australia and globally, and forms part of the wider LaunchPad facility, now completely functional after a three-year process.
The facility focuses on innovation, new product development, and developing more sustainable products for local and international markets.
“The $500,000 LaunchPad facility was the first and only dedicated bag-testing facility in Australia, and one of only a few laboratories able to test coated paper and board packaging for re-pulpability – the ability to pulp materials for recycling,” said Cox.
“The re-pulpability testing capabilities have been developed by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).”
The LaunchPad lab also tests medical mask functional effectiveness to AS4381/AS1716 standards, including filtration testing and blood/fluid penetration testing.
“Innovation is essential in our industry, as consumers demand higher quality packaging and medical supplies,” said Cox.
“Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and want to know that their packaging can be recycled, as no-one wants to live in a throw-away society.
“Through LaunchPad, we are now able to offer higher Australian specific testing standards for businesses in the packaging, food and beverage, and quick service industries.”
According to Cox, the LaunchPad lab has created bespoke testing equipment, which replicated the usage of products in real-world situations. She also said it was also climate-controlled for humidity and moisture to replicate oven and refrigeration conditions.
“The governor’s tour of the Detmold Group’s LaunchPad laboratory was an excellent opportunity to celebrate women in business and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths), and SA as the national centre of packaging innovation,” she concluded.
“The Detmold Group is investing in SA, as this is the ideal place for us to reach national and international markets.
“We’ve also invested in our staff, including encouraging women to follow careers in STEM, and we appreciate their input and the incredible intellectual rigour that they bring to Detmold and our group of companies.”
