Alimarket, recognised as the top source of sectoral economic information in Spain, highlights Grupo Torrent’s strong focus on innovation, a key priority: “Grupo Torrent is reinforcing its strategic focus on innovation through the introduction of new processes, tools, and the development of sustainable materials, ensuring that functionality, food safety, and product uniqueness are maintained.” Additionally, the article underscores the Group’s dedication to sustainability, noting eco-friendly initiatives that have been the core of the company’s investments in recent years, with plans to continue this approach into the future.
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Here’s the full Alimarket article:
Torrent Group Enhances Its Commitment to Innovation
Torrent Group, based in Cádiz, and a leading producer of plastic and metal closures for wine, spirits, and oils, continues to prioritise innovation. The company is implementing new processes and tools and creating sustainable materials that meet the rising demand for environmental responsibility, while preserving product functionality, food safety, and distinctiveness.
Recently, Torrent Group introduced its patented technology, ‘Lenticular Security by Torrent (LST)’, a security closure solution for liquors and spirits that can be customised. This system combines lenticular imaging with nanolaser texture. Additionally, the company developed ‘Pentalock’, a high-security solution that ensures product authenticity, tamper evidence, and prevents refilling. They also launched the ‘Green Valve’, a mono-material valve that reduces CO2 emissions by 10% during production, a result of their eco-design platform.
This eco-design platform, established by Torrent, focuses on creating lighter, single-material products, including bio-based or recycled materials. The company has also incorporated the CO2 Tool, which calculates the carbon footprint of each product based on the materials and techniques used.
A Growing Innovation Hub Since 2016
These cutting-edge solutions are driven by Torrent Innova, the innovation subsidiary of Torrent Group, founded in 2016 to consolidate the company’s R&D efforts. Torrent Innova encompasses various departments, including engineering, design, product development, and sustainability. In 2020, Torrent Lab was added, an “ideas lab” where the company collaborates closely with clients to bring innovative projects to life. This subsidiary has been a key pillar of the group’s innovation strategy, with continuous investments to expand its facilities, improve technology, and grow its workforce, which now includes 26 employees. “Innovation is essential for us. Compared to others in the industry, our team is competitive with companies three times our size. We are also in the upper range for innovation intensity among industrial firms, with an annual budget of 1.6-1.8% of the group’s revenue,” says Eduardo Jiménez, Director of Torrent Innova.
R&D continues to be a cornerstone for Torrent Group, a tradition that dates back to its foundation. “Innovation has always been part of our production process, but in 2015, we realised we needed a dedicated R&D unit, and Torrent Innova was established. Today, all of our business stems from innovations, whether in product design, decoration, or processes, and we continue to improve each piece,” Jiménez explains.
Over the past few years, the company has focused on reducing development timelines, customising parts to meet client demands, and ensuring cost-efficiency. Advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing and finite element virtual simulation have been integrated into their processes, allowing for more accurate prototypes and optimising components while retaining functionality.
The Development of ‘Biocork’
Sustainability is a critical aspect of Torrent’s innovation drive, with materials playing a central role. The company has opened a new pre-consumer plastic recycling plant and is actively researching new bio-based materials. One of their key developments is ‘Biocork’, created in partnership with the University of Cádiz. “Biocork is a bio-based polymer that incorporates cork powder, a by-product of our production process, which we’ve integrated into our sustainable ‘Terra’ platform,” Jiménez explains. He also mentioned ongoing developments in materials that will enhance recyclability and utilise more sustainable by-products.
Innovation continues to attract significant investment from Torrent Group each year. The company is also expanding its production capacity with projects like the enlargement of its aluminium parts subsidiary, Cápsulas Torrent, in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz). The facility will grow to cover 25,000 m² and will include new production lines and high-efficiency injection moulding machines, set to be operational by mid-2025. This project also involves the creation of a new logistics warehouse and office space, with an estimated budget of €7 million.
