Wednesday, October 4th
Board Lunch
Board meeting
Registration
Welcome Reception
Thursday, October 5th
7:30 – 8:15 AM
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Registration / Breakfast
Conference Opening Remarks
Consecutive
Sustainability for Conventional and Alternative Fibers
The market dynamics have been reshaped by digitalization, changes in social behavior, and climate change. Conventional and alternative fibers, which are renewable sources of cellulose, have been identified as a means of producing a variety of products such as molded items, tissue, packaging, and textiles. However, the sustainability of these fibers and the comparison between options have not undergone systematic studies, leading consumers to often identify alternative fibers as more sustainable. The SAFI consortium is dedicated to evaluating and developing consumer goods in the context of the entire supply chain, from sourcing to consumer perception, with a particular focus on studying the carbon footprint of such products. Consequently, our results will provide a holistic overview of the intrinsic relationship between fiber source, conversion process, and final use.
Speakers
Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez, North Carolina State
Naycari Forfora, North Carolina State
Global Capacity Outlook for Type 3 Molded Fiber Packaging
In response to growing demand, newly announced capacity expansions and capital investments in molded fiber have been seen, with more are expected in the near future. Since molded fiber production is dominated by small and fragmented producers, visibility to global capacity development is limited. In this presentation, we will examine the drivers for growth and discuss the expectations for capacity developments in response to continued growth. We will also discuss how technical challenges in meeting certain end-use performance requirements may limit growth potential, especially in food service applications, and discuss how these may be overcome.
Speaker
Alexander Koukoulas, AFRY Management Consulting
Break
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Concurrent
Breakout Session: Sustainability for Conventional and Alternative Fibers
Speakers
Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez, North Carolina State
Naycari Forfora, North Carolina State
Breakout Session: Global Capacity Outlook for Type 3 Molded Fiber Packaging
Speaker
Alexander Koukoulas, AFRY Management Consulting
Lunch
Consecutive
Microfibrillated Cellulose – A Bio-Binder Enhancing Strength and Barrier Priorities in Fiber-Based Systems
Recent awareness in sustainability as well as changes in the legislation regarding single-use products, has put significant pressure on the whole packaging industry. Although fiber-based packaging is regarded as the solution for replacing plastic, the current solutions have still challenges regarding, for example, the performance of the molded fiber products. Microfibrillated cellulose is a bio-based and multifunctional product made of cellulose, consisting of fibrils with lateral dimensions in the nanoscale and lengths up to micron scale.
The extremely high surface area as well as the 3D fibril structure impacts the mechanical properties of fiber based products as well as helps to controll the rheology of the barrier coating. We will discuss the impact of commercially available microfibrillated cellulose on the strength and barrier properties of the molded fiber products intended for food packaging and serving.
Speaker
Otto Soidinsalo, Business Development Manager, Borregaard
New Technology for Thin Film Lamination of Molded Fiber Products
Over the past several years, public pressure combined with new governmental regulations has led to an increased interest in non-fossil-based packaging materials. As such, paper-based materials including cardboard and molded fiber are being explored for a wider range of packaging applications. The functional benefits of polymeric materials, however, can be difficult to replicate in their cellulosic counterparts, especially with regard to shelf life and barrier properties, e.g., oxygen, water, and greases. Furthermore, legislation regarding PFAS chemicals, previously used in many coatings, has forced converters to find alternative pathways to sustainable package designs. New developments in plant-based or other bio-based films combined with existing pulp manufacturing techniques offer a potential new substrate structure that meets market needs. In 2022, ILLIG developed a new modular machine concept for laminating pulp and cardboard packaging with very thin-film bio-based materials. In May 2023, the new PLU40 was introduced at Interpack in Dusseldorf. This “pulp laminating unit” will be explored in greater detail at IMFA 2023.
Speaker
Conor Carlin, Managing Director, ILLIG North America LP
The Relevance of Molded Fiber Lamination in a Plastic-Restrictive Framework
The molded fiber industry is becoming increasingly significant while the growing the regulatory landscape limits the use of plastics in single-use packaging. However, certain functions still require a specific amount of plastic to be incorporated. Although basic barrier requirements can be met by adjusting the fiber mixture composition, high barrier properties can only be attained by laminating with a thin layer of plastic, complying with the most recent legal standards.
Speakers
Salvador Diaz, Sales Director, Hamer Packaging Technology
Pol Casado, Ecological Business Unit Manager, Hamer Packaging Technology
Ingeo Biopolymer Advances in Molded Fiber Applications
NatureWorks is a world-leading company that invents and manufactures more-responsible, high performing PLA-based biomaterials and applications under the brand name Ingeo™️. In this session, NatureWorks will present on the novel Ingeo™️ PLA formulations developed for food serviceware and food packaging applications that enable faster composting rates, retain high levels of renewable biobased content, and improve processability and mechanical properties of both biaxially oriented & blown films.
Speaker
Koen Bastiaens, Strategic Market Manager, NatureWorks
Break
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Concurrent
Breakout Session: Microfibrillated Cellulose – A Bio-Binder Enhancing Strength and Barrier Priorities in Fiber-Based Systems
Speaker
Otto Soidinsalo, Business Development Manager, Borregaard
Colleen Walker, PhD, University of Maine
Breakout Session: The Relevance of Molded Fiber Lamination in a Plastic-Restrictive Framework
Speakers
Pol Casado, Ecological Business Unit Manager, Hamer Packaging Technology
Conor Carlin, Managing Director, ILLIG North America LP
Salvador Diaz, Sales Director, Hamer Packaging Technology
Koen Bastiaens, NatureWorks LLC
Molded Fiber 101
Back by popular demand, this workshop goes back to basics and focuses on the details and processes of molded fiber manufacturing. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, there's something for everyone at this interactive workshop.
Speakers
Gary Visser, IMFA Chairman
Paul Carter, MyBlendedLearning.com
Vince Daniel,Huhtamaki North America
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Concurrent
Members Only Meeting
Gary Visser, IMFA Chairman
Non-Member Information Session
Joe Grygny, IMFA Founder
6:00 – 8:30 PM
Reception & Dinner
Friday, October 6th
Presentation
Breakout Session
Packaging Megatrends – Sustainability and Opportunities in Molded Fiber
Sustainability in packaging has finally hit a tipping point globally, regulations are accelerating and consumer preferences are shifting as their understanding of sustainability evolves. Molded fiber is emerging as an alternate packaging substrate for various applications and has witnessed significant investment and growth recently. In this session we will share our latest thinking on the key mega-trends affecting the $1Trillion Global Packaging Industry, including trends in molded fiber space and opportunities ahead.
Presenters
Daniel Nordigaarden, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Maimouna Diakhaby, McKinsey & Company
Breakout Session Panel
Daniel Nordigaarden, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Maimouna Diakhaby, McKinsey & Company
Break
Regulatory Compliance: Access to the Market
The presentation will briefly introduce global regulations on paper food packaging and food contact materials with a focus on the US, EU, China, and other markets. Discuss strategies how to ensure safety and regulatory compliance, manage safety perceptions and keep up with the regulatory landscape changes, play ahead of the game to access global markets.
Speaker
Huqiu Zhang, SME
Fibre-based Packaging Industry in Action for a Circular Future
4evergreen is a unique alliance bringing together more than 100 companies from the entire value chain, all committed to perfecting fibre-based packaging circularity for a greener world. Their goal is to increase the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging up to 90& by 2023. Together, they are working in four key areas with exceptional intensity: evaluating packaging recyclability, designing for circularity, advising effective collection and sorting, and exploring innovative recycling and sorting technologies and techniques. For each area, they are developing a series of guidelines and protocols that will help the industry develop increasingly sustainable packaging solutions.
Speaker
Susanne Haase, 4Evergreen
11:45 – 12:30 PM
Awards & Closing Remarks
2:20 PM
Golf Outing *
18-Hole, Par-3
All times are subject to change.
What is a Breakout Session?
A breakout session is a continued conversation following its speaker session. There will be a moderator in each breakout session to start and lead the conversation, and panelists will participate in the conversation. All registrants may ask questions during these sessions.
*Registration required
$125pp, includes cart rental