What we offer
Conestoga is a leader in packaging research due to its unique position of offering the only academic packaging technology program offered in Canada. Faculty and researchers have strong industry experience supported by state-of-the-art packaging testing equipment.
Conestoga packaging research can help to reduce risk for companies making changes to their packaging, supported by pre-shipment testing such as vibration and drop testing and analytical testing. Industrial packaging equipment in our 8,000 sq. ft. pilot plant supports applications testing for novel films, shelf-life extension or other novel packaging methods or processes.
Food, consumer goods, and B2B package testing
Materials testing
- Material characterization: polymer and corrugate properties
- Coatings and surface treatments: characterization and applications testing
Packaging system testing
- In-application packaging testing: measure barrier properties, strength, and more
- Pre-shipment testing. drop testing and transportation testing (vibration table testing of full pallet)
Corrugate and boxboard prototyping services
- Design of case-ready packaging
- Structural design of packaging for use
- Optimize pallet patterns with specialized software
- Novel applications of corrugate and boxboard
Package integrity and barrier testing
- Leak detection testing and heat seal profile studies
- Oxygen and water vapour transmission rate
Scale-up and technical support
- Packaging equipment in 8000 square foot pilot plant
- Trouble shooting and packaging solutions
Our capabilities
Coefficient friction test
Shown here is the Instron conducting a coefficient of friction test to determine how film will slide on metal. This test is important when changing polymers to ensure packaging moves through automated equipment as expected.
Shelf-life study for novel produce trays
With the goal of developing new produce trays, Bio-Origins partnered with the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL) and Conestoga's SMART Centre on an eight-month project. During the first phase of the project, the SMART Centre designed lids needed for the containers that would be tested by CFRIL during their shelf-life study. Using designs from Bio-Origins, the SMART Centre created drawings and the subsequent lids using food-grade polymer materials. Read more.
Package integrity and barrier testing
- Leak detection testing and heat seal profile studies
- Oxygen and water vapour transmission rate
Scale-up and technical support
- Packaging equipment in 8000 square foot pilot plant
- Trouble shooting and packaging solutions