STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 13 -- MeadWestvaco Corporation announced today the debut of its new Packaging Innovation Center, located at the company's Richmond, Virginia, office. The new facility features demonstrations of innovative packaging technologies and capabilities, and provides a stimulating, informative environment that supports collaborative exploration of customer ideas. "Packaging has traditionally and simply conveyed the product inside and enticed consumers to buy them," said Rita Foley, MeadWestvaco senior vice president and president of its Consumer Packaging Group. "Now, innovative design incorporating new technologies and applications is leading the way in an exciting step-change allowing packaging to go much further. The Packaging Innovation Center was created to highlight our forward-thinking design capabilities and to reflect MeadWestvaco's belief that customer collaboration throughout the entire packaging design process is what produces unique, outstanding packaging solutions." MeadWestvaco's customers, some of the world's leading brands in media, healthcare, cosmetics, personal care and other markets, operate in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment, requiring their package designs to be functional and compliant as well as exciting in order to strengthen their branding efforts. The facility showcases the latest features and applications in packaging solutions to meet these demands, including radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology; anti-counterfeiting technologies; and interactive "smart packaging" concepts. Customers can also experience the possibilities of package design through hands-on exposure to multiple materials and finishing options. More information about the Packaging Innovation Center is available by calling (804) 327-6192.