ETI strengthens Technology Center through strategic collaborations

ETI Converting Equipment is expanding the capabilities of its Technology Center through new collaborations with Henkel and Evonik, aimed at accelerating material validation and product development in a real production environment. The ETI Converting Equipment Technology Center is located on the outskirts of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The collaborations are structured independently, with each company working directly with ETI through the Technology Center program. They do not represent a formal partnership between Henkel and Evonik, but rather parallel engagements that enhance the overall value of the initiative.

ETI’s Technology Center is designed as a hands-on environment where converters, material suppliers, and brand owners can evaluate materials, trial constructions, and validate concepts with full technical support. By integrating Henkel’s expertise in adhesive technologies and Evonik’s capabilities in silicone chemistry, the Center further strengthens its role as a bridge between material innovation and real-world manufacturing.

“Our goal has always been to help the industry test ideas under the same conditions they’ll face on the production floor,” says Maxime Bayzelon, president of ETI Converting Equipment. “By welcoming Henkel and Evonik into our Technology Center, we are reinforcing a collaborative environment where material expertise and manufacturing know-how come together in real production conditions. Customers gain direct access to specialists in adhesives and silicone release systems, allowing them to validate new constructions more efficiently and move projects forward with confidence.”

Located near Montreal, the Technology Center offers full capabilities for silicone and adhesive coating, printing, lamination, and diecutting. Trials are conducted on the same equipment used in commercial production, ensuring results translate directly to converters’ manufacturing environments.

Each collaboration enhances the Center’s ability to explore new material combinations, assess performance, and refine production approaches. For Henkel, the initiative expands how it supports customers in development and testing.

“Expanding our capabilities through ETI marks a major step forward in how we support customers in their development,” states Chelsey Seevers, business development manager, Henkel Specialty Tapes and Labels North America. “By giving customers access to advanced coating and printing capabilities, including double-sided constructions, we’re providing a more flexible environment to test innovations before making capital investments.”

Evonik also sees the collaboration as a way to strengthen real-world application of its silicone technologies.

“Being part of the Technology Center allows us to work alongside the companies using our silicone technologies every day,” says Chris Ogle, global segment head for Silicone Release Coatings at Evonik. “That direct exchange leads to stronger products and smoother implementation.”

By bringing together material expertise and manufacturing capability, ETI’s Technology Center continues to evolve as a hub where concepts can be tested, refined, and validated under real production conditions. The expanded collaborations further position the Center as a resource for accelerating innovation across the label and converting industry.