In spring 2015, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. (clearlam.com), will open a new 25,000-square-foot Co-Packing Facility and Innovation Center at its Elk Grove Village manufacturing operation. Clear Lam has invested $2 million in equipment and technology to launch the new operation, which will support consumer products utilizing its patented PrimaPak™ System. The operation will employ 23 individuals and will be focused on producing PrimaPak packaging for test markets, regional rollouts, seasonal items and ongoing national distribution.

The Co-Packing Facility will specialize in dry, free-flowing products using Clear Lam’s revolutionary PrimaPak™ Vertical Form-Fill-Seal (VFFS) System with combination scale weigher. It will start with two state-of-the-art production lines with a combined production capacity of 20 million units per year. Additional lines will be added in the future. Clear Lam also will assist on an as-needed basis with the sourcing and purchasing of raw materials; shipping, freight and logistic services; and inventory and warehouse storage of materials and findings.

“The introduction of our new Co-Packing Facility and Innovation Center is an exciting development for Clear Lam and for the advancement of our PrimaPak™ System,” said James Sanfilippo, president and chief executive officer, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. “We understand that many of our customers are looking for opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiencies in their packing operations without taking on new staff or having to purchase new equipment.”

Clear Lam has made this strategic investment to provide customers with an end-to-end solution for the PrimaPak™ System, covering everything from the packaging materials to the design, printing, filling, sealing, labeling and packing services to get products to market faster. The facility has the flexibility to handle small-batch test product runs and long-term packaging needs. Applications include salty snacks, nuts, candy, dried fruit, cereals, pet foods, detergent pods, fertilizer and more.

Clear Lam’s Innovation Center includes a Quality Control Laboratory, where analytical testing can be performed on packaging products and materials to ensure they meet performance standards and customer specifications. Clear Lam takes a collaborative approach to this process, working closely with customers to ensure the raw materials and finished product will perform as expected in the marketing environment for which the package is designed. This includes tests for strength and other physical properties, oxygen transmission rates, and optical properties of various packaging materials.

Commercial applications for the PrimaPak™ technology were launched in North America last fall. The Clear Lam patented technology produces a cubed, semi-rigid package with a reclosable feature from proprietary rollstock. Clear Lam’s first-of-its-kind PrimaPak™ packaging is designed as a replacement for rigid cans, bottles, jars, trays and select flexible packaging. It is lightweight, stackable and merchandises on six sides. PrimaPak™ technology improves cube by 30 percent or more.