Nestlé And IBM Develop AI Tool For Green Packaging

In a remarkable partnership, IBM Research and Nestlé R&D have introduced an AI-powered tool aimed at transforming sustainable packaging solutions. This joint effort represents a major advancement in using artificial intelligence and deep tech to find high-performance materials that protect product integrity while meeting stricter environmental standards.

The collaboration focuses on creating next-generation high-barrier packaging materials. These materials can shield products from moisture, oxygen, and temperature changes while supporting sustainability goals. At the center of this project is a generative AI tool that uses a custom-trained chemical language model along with IBM’s regression transformer technology. These tools help scientists understand the molecular structure of materials and predict their physical and chemical properties, leading to new, efficient packaging designs.

The process started with AI-based data mining, in which researchers built a strong knowledge base of materials from public datasets and Nestlé’s proprietary research. This knowledge base was then used to train a chemical language model specifically designed for packaging innovation. Unlike general AI models, this specialized tool is fine-tuned to analyze and predict how molecular features link to key packaging properties: durability, safety, cost-efficiency, and recyclability.

IBM’s regression transformer, a machine learning model that generates chemical structures and estimates their characteristics, was applied to this database. The result is a model that not only identifies existing materials but also suggests new chemical combinations and structures. This effectively creates new material candidates for testing in real-world applications.

Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Palzer, highlighted the importance of such innovation in the context of the company’s digital transformation. He stated, “This AI-powered language model, developed with IBM Research, shows how Nestlé is leading the digital change in the food and beverage industry. In the future, this breakthrough technology could be used to improve sustainable packaging across product categories.”

This development is also part of Nestlé’s broader strategy to incorporate artificial intelligence into various areas of its operations. The company is using AI tools for recipe optimization, balancing nutritional value, ingredient costs, and sustainability metrics. This ensures products meet health guidelines and environmental commitments while staying economically viable.

Another important area for AI use is manufacturing. Nestlé is utilizing digital twins—virtual copies of physical processes and facilities—to enhance efficiency, cut waste, and optimize energy use in production lines. These tools enable the company to simulate scenarios and improve performance without stopping operations or incurring extra costs.

Personalized nutrition is another key focus in Nestlé’s AI vision. With growing consumer demand for customized dietary solutions, the company is developing data-driven systems to recommend tailored nutrition plans for individuals and pets. These systems evaluate lifestyle, health data, and dietary preferences to suggest personalized food and supplement plans, backed by scientific research and AI predictions.

Alessandro Curioni, IBM Research Vice President for Europe and Africa, pointed out the broader implications of this innovation for science and business. “We believe Generative AI will keep disrupting scientific discovery, impacting the core of all knowledge-based industries and enabling critical differentiation and sustainable growth,” he said. This underscores IBM’s commitment to applying advanced AI tools across various sectors, from pharmaceuticals to agriculture, and now packaging.

To further its vision, Nestlé has recently opened a new deep tech R&D center focused on the food and nutrition sector. This facility serves as a testing ground for emerging technologies like advanced sensors, robotics, AI systems, and mixed reality tools. The goal is to foster experimentation and innovation, driving long-term change in how the company develops, tests, and scales new solutions.

The collaboration between IBM Research and Nestlé shows how partnerships across different fields can lead to powerful solutions for urgent challenges in the food industry. As regulatory pressure and consumer demands push companies towards more sustainable practices, innovations like AI-designed packaging materials could become key to industry leadership.

As Nestlé continues to invest in its digital and AI skills, and IBM expands the application of its generative AI tools, this joint venture sets a standard for future collaborations at the crossroads of science, technology, and sustainability.