Sidel’s Nextgen Innovation Lab brought together young engineers from different countries to work on real challenges facing industry. Nineteen participants from ten countries completed the programme, which focused on issues related to packaging, sustainability and automation. The initiative was organised at Sidel’s site in Octeville-sur-Mer in northern France. The programme involved university students who worked with the company’s experts on topics including sustainable operations and packaging, digital technologies and artificial intelligence in industry, robotics and human-machine collaboration, computer vision and AI-based quality control, as well as mechatronics and intelligent machine control.
Linking academia and industry
The three-week programme was intended to strengthen links between academia and industry and to inspire the next generation of engineers. It included technical workshops, site visits, customer contacts and practical project work. The group of 19 participants worked in teams to develop concepts, prototypes and business analyses.
The final stage of the programme was the presentation of results to a panel made up of Sidel senior management and technical experts. The programme ended with an awards ceremony recognising achievements in five categories: "Best overall innovation", "Most customer-focused solution", "Most disruptive concept", "Most inspiring speech" and "Ready-to-implement solution".
Comments from participants and company representatives
"Innovation comes from combining different points of view. The Nextgen Innovation Lab programme created a unique environment in which young engineers could work with Sidel experts, challenge established ways of thinking and develop solutions for real industrial challenges," said Ko Hoepman, executive vice president for equipment, innovation and portfolio at Sidel. "Throughout the programme, the participants demonstrated impressive creativity, technical knowledge and teamwork skills, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, which made it an inspiring experience for everyone involved."
One of the young engineers commented: "I had not realised that so much innovation and such a broad range of expertise lie behind the production of the products I use every day, it was a very pleasant surprise for me." He also added: "My first impressions of Sidel were very positive. It is undoubtedly a company that values its employees, from engineers to operators."
Another participant stressed: "It is inspiring that we can work on real challenges facing industry while having direct access to experts who are so willing to share their knowledge."
Developing future engineering talent
The Nextgen Innovation Lab programme is part of Sidel’s broader commitment to developing future engineering talent, strengthening relationships with leading universities in Europe and promoting fresh perspectives on the future of sustainable packaging solutions. According to the company, the positive experience from the programme has translated into interest in further cooperation, with several participants expressing a willingness to continue contact with Sidel through internships.
