A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at the opening of a research and development facility for a Bowling Green company. The $3.6 million investment is expected to create at least 30 new jobs.
SmartSolve Industries, a zero-waste packaging technology company, announced the opening of its new Research & Development Center at its Northwest Ohio facility at 12700 South Dixie Highway.
The new 10,000-square-foot facility is designed to accelerate packaging innovation and sustainability, further establishing SmartSolve as a world leader in global packaging innovation.
“The purpose of the new R&D Center is to commercialize new and innovative zero-waste packaging technologies,” said Jonathan Jakubowski, CEO of SmartSolve. “With rising concern over the harmful effects of microplastics on human health, this project positions SmartSolve as a global innovator and leading provider of microplastic-free packaging technologies that address one of the world’s most pressing environmental and health challenges.”
Jakubowski noted that the project is fueled by SmartSolve’s strong pipeline of product developments and the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
SmartSolve was originally founded in Bowling Green in 2016 under the umbrella of CMC Group. The company specializes in manufacturing water-soluble raw materials for flexible packaging, supported by custom blending and compounding, extrusion coating, and advanced laboratory testing. SmartSolve serves a wide range of industries, including dish, laundry, personal care, industrial, and dry foods.
The project was supported through a JobsOhio Research & Development Grant, created to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies.
“SmartSolve Industries’ new R&D Center is more than an investment in infrastructure — it’s a clear signal that Ohio is open for sustainable innovation,” said J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio. “This expansion in Bowling Green will bring cutting-edge equipment and efficiencies that will deliver the latest dissolvable waste technology to meet evolving market demand.”
Jakubowski added that the JobsOhio Grant significantly accelerated the original construction timeline. He explained that the center is being built on three core objectives:
- Develop and commercialize at least one new alternative packaging solution each year
- Foster regional workforce growth through economic activity
- Raise public awareness through sustainability innovation
According to Jakubowski, additional indirect benefits of the center include the onshoring of innovation from international competitors, the creation of community educational opportunities focused on sustainability, and the establishment of new local R&D partnerships.
“Ohio has a long history as a hub of innovation,” Jakubowski said, explaining why the company chose to expand in Northwest Ohio. “This legacy of ingenuity spans food, medical devices, consumer goods, and technology, demonstrating the state’s enduring spirit of invention. SmartSolve is on its way to becoming one of Ohio’s most innovative companies, and this grant accelerates that aspiration.”
SmartSolve recognized the collaboration of numerous economic development partners in bringing the project to life, including Bowling Green Economic Development, the Regional Growth Partnership, CIFT, and JobsOhio.
Kati Thompson, executive director with Bowling Green Economic Development, highlighted the importance of supporting innovation at existing businesses as a key driver for regional growth.
“It’s been an honor to work with SmartSolve to advance their mission and vision for the company in Bowling Green,” Thompson said. “We have no doubt that through this new R&D center, SmartSolve will achieve their goals and become the global leader in microplastic-free packaging technology.”
