Agenda

2024 speakers have been confirmed!

The 2024 speakers include Mars, Domtar, Sonoco, Novolex, BiOrigin, Papkot, Mondi, Suzano America, Canopy Planet, Dow, University of Maine, UMV Coating Systems AB, and more.

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Please click on the dates below to see each day's program!


Pre-Conference Workshop
Registration Open
Set the Stage sponsored by Kuraray
Opening Remarks
< Session Description >
Pre-conference workshop: Focus on Paper – Is making the switch from plastics to paper beneficial?
The first part of this workshop will focus on the drivers and blockers to developing compelling innovations for brands to convert from plastic to paper.  We will be exploring market factors to include consumer insights and brand perspectives, looking at technical innovations and challenges, commercial economic factors, and emerging innovations. 

The second half of the workshop will focus on improving paper packaging with compostables. What is the real deal? Speakers will share some challenges, successes and tips on how to get into compostables for packaging.
Navigating the development of recyclable packaging for Stacked Potato Crisp Snacks
Abstract to come!
 
John Michels | Consultant
Plastic-free waterborne barrier coatings and fiber treatments for packaging
85 % of all plastics produced worldwide remain in landfills or pollute our
oceans! innovative solutions have been developed to address this global challenge by
utilizing bio-based components to impart functional barrier properties to
fiber-based packaging in place of plastic and microplastics.

These renewable and sustainable solutions can be formulated to contain only
bio-based components. Multi-functional barrier properties include protection
against oil and grease, water, water vapor, oxygen and mineral oils.
The bio-based coatings impart surface and barrier properties to fiber-based
products (e.g. paper and board) enabling usage in direct food contact
applications that replace foils, plastics and polylaminates.

Bio-based origin does not infer biodegradability. The composition of these
coatings is designed to be inherently biodegradable under natural
compositing conditions. Testing has also shown them to disintegrate
efficiently under marine conditions.

The presentation introduces practical applications using novel fiber-based
packaging products enhanced with neat or formulated coating layers of bioorigin.
Such compositions have supplanted plastics in a range of single-use
applications and continue to do so, remaining environmentally friendly to the
end.
Jochen Schlegel | Managing Director, JOS Consulting GmbH & EURIKAS BV
Networking Break
Panel: Deep Dive Discussion
A Deep Dive Discussion amongst technical experts in paper, bioplastics, and packaging applications on what we know today replacing fossil plastics with bio-based materials.

Moderator: Kelly Williams, Managing Director Lamination Division, Earthfirst 

Panelists:
Zack Leimkuehler, General Manager, Little Rapids Company
Eric Klingenberg, Materials Science Lead, Mars
Raj Krishnaswamy, Vice President, Polymers R&D, CJ Bio
Ralph Giammarco, Global GM, Printing & Packaging, Michelman
TJ Hart, Technical Director, Hart Industries

 
Kelly Williams | Managing Director Lamination Division, Earthfirst
Workshop Ends
Registration Open
Set the Stage Sponsored by Sekisui
Opening Remarks
Session I: Current Industry Landscape & Future Trends in Specialty Papers
The Environmental Choice: Making the Sustainable Case for Paper
Learn more about consumer preferences, the environmental story of paper, and the battle against misleading greenwashing campaigns. Arm yourself with information on how to combat the misconceptions and drive home the message that paper and paper-based packaging are environmentally favorable options.

Jill Crossley | Director of Operations, Two Sides North America
Is our future green or not at all?
How can novel fiber molding technologies help reduce single-use plastic consumption?

Guido Schmitz | Vice President, PAPACKS
Networking Break
Sponsored by

 
 
Session II: The Papermaker’s Perspective
Papermaker's Panel
The papermakers panel focus will be discussing how the landscape has changed for paperboard and specialty paper. Looking at shift from newsprint, office and graphic arts grades to specialty papers and paperboard.

Also looking at current opportunities/challenges around paper vs. plastic, sustainability, and working with brand owners. There is to be a pre-conference meeting with the moderator and all of the panelists to fine tune the focus around the members backgrounds.

Moderator: Gary Robinson, Independent Consultant, Tetonia, LLC

Panelists:
Dave Magda, Director of Innovation, Pixelle
Dave Barr, Director of New Product Development, BiOrigin
Murray Ross, Sr Manager, Technology - Specialty Papers, Domtar
 
Closing Remarks
Registration and Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks - Set the Stage Sponsored by Sekisui
Conference Producer, Smithers

Session III: Innovations and Advancements Across the Supply Chain
< Session Description >
Moderator: Scott McNutt, Consultant, Nextep Partners LLC
How is Pixelle meeting the need for sustainable packaging?
The market for flexible packaging is huge and growing, but currently this market demand is primarily being served by single use plastics, which are problematic from an end-of-life standpoint.  Pixelle is actively developing and marketing treated and coated paper products with functionalities that are required to replace plastic based packaging – functionalities like oil and grease resistance, moisture vapor barrier, oxygen barrier, liquid water barrier, aroma barrier, mineral oil barrier as well the ability to heat seal.  These products are not only made from renewable natural fibers but are designed to enter directly into curbside recycling streams, and in some cases are suitable for composting.  Learn how Pixelle is positioning itself to align with the current market drivers of 1.) increasingly aggressive sustainability goals of large brand owners, 2.) growing legislation aimed at single-use packaging, 3.) increasing consumer preference for fiber-based packaging.
Dean Benjamin | Director of New Product Development, Pixelle
“Fiber” coating a new dimension to create advanced paper & board products
A completely new innovative coating technology for surface treatment of paper and board is available. It concerns a coating technology that makes it possible to bring a paste in semi-solid state to the web, well distributed in machine direction MD and cross direction CD directions at impressive speeds and adequate solids levels. It is known that advanced cellulosic fibers have difficult rheology and therefore it has been impossible to coat paper with this material at practical conditions. However, the actual new fiber coating technique has solved the problem and thus opened new opportunities to produce sustainable packing materials, since earlier lab studies show that advanced cellulosic fibers give oxygen barrier properties, as well as grease resistance when applied on a paper web. We ran pilot trials, to explore the performance of the coating technique as well as to see the quality development by the application of MCC (Micro Crystalline Cellulose) and MFC (Micro Fibrillated Cellulose) in relevant combinations. The precondition for the trials was that the testing speed matches future expectations of commercial production plants. The paper will present physical & optical properties as well as oxygen & barrier performance for base papers treated with advanced fibers. Furthermore, the presenter will share insights from observations related to the drying of the treated paper, specifically in the context of avoiding pinholes.
 
Daniel Ragnarsson | Commercial Director, UMV Coating Systems AB
Networking Break
Session IV: Academic Focus: Latest Developments from Universities
< Session Description >
The recyclability of barrier coated papers
The potential to replace plastic in many of our food packaging systems with a fiber-based alternative is becoming increasingly real. However, it is important to not develop systems that are difficult to recycle. One aspect of this issue is the ability to recover fibers in a typical recycling situation. Little is reported on the influence of coating layer types, pre-coating layers, and paper types on the ability to recycle the grade. The fiber quality and fiber recovery are reported for a range of barrier coating types such as polyethylene (PE), dispersion coated barriers, and bio-based polymers. The influence of a pre-coating layer of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) is also studied as well as the paper properties. For most of the systems, fiber recovery of over 90% was obtained. A pre-coating layer of CNF always improved the fiber recovery, likely by causing the coating to not penetrate into the paper and interact with a layer of fibers. Even extrusion coated PE samples showed good fiber recovery. Fiber recovery was best when the barrier coating does not penetrate deeply into the paper base.

Additional Speakers:
Aysan Najd Mazhar, Ph.D. Student, University of Maine
Doug Bousfield, Calder Professor, University of Maine
 
Colleen Walker | Director, Process Development Center, UMaine Process Development Center
Session V: The Power of Partnerships: Working Towards Collaboration
Nanochitin as a strength-enhancing agent for paper-based packaging materials
With growing environmental concerns, traditional plastic packaging derived from petroleum has been increasingly replaced by paper-based alternatives, especially for packaging purposes. However, current paper-based packaging products have significant drawbacks compared to conventional plastics, including poor mechanical strength and rigidity, compromised durability and structural integrity, limited recyclability, and susceptibility to fire hazards. The paper-based packaging industries are actively seeking ways to enhance the properties of paper-based materials to broaden their application areas. The overall objective of this research is to harness nanochitin as an innovative additive for the production of paper-based packaging materials. Chitin is a natural biopolymer that forms the primary structural component of crustacean shells. Nanochitin particles are rod-like nanoparticles, obtained by selectively removing the amorphous regions from native chitin. Due to its superior mechanical strength, nanochitin is extensively used as a reinforcing element in the fabrication of polymer nanocomposites.


In this presentation, we report our research investigating the microscopic interactions between nanochitin particles and unbleached paper pulp fibers to comprehend the reinforcing effect provided by nanochitin. Employing spectroscopic techniques, we provide evidence of altered hydrogen bonding networks and chemical interactions governing the binding mechanisms between nanochitin particles and paper fibers. Complementing these findings, high-resolution imaging techniques offer direct visual evidence, unveiling the morphological characteristics of these chitin/paper composites at the nanoscale. By utilizing nanochitin particles with varying structural properties, we establish a generalized understanding of the prevalent interaction mechanisms in these chitin/paper composite systems. Additionally, we discuss the role of nanochitin particles in enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of the chitin/paper composites. This foundational understanding of the microstructure is expected to be highly relevant for exploring further potential applications of chitin-paper composite materials beyond packaging solutions.
 
Aaron Guan | CEO, Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by
Pulp, paper and packaging made from agricultural waste - a sustainable alternative to plastics
There is a strong interest in the market for replacing plastic packaging (particularly single-use plastic packaging) with paper based packaging. To respond to this rising demand and falling supply gap of wood fiber, Craste has developed an innovative solution to redefine the present manufacturing. Craste’s patented technology uses agricultural residue/waste for its manufacturing process. With Craste’s technology, any agricultural residue, be it from any crop, can be used for making pulp and paper, achieving 100% residue utilization.

Craste with its decentralized manufacturing and innovative approach is empowering farmers and curbing crop burning along the way. Committed to being sustainable by all means and forms, this presentation will highlight all the steps taken by Craste in detail.
 
Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni | Founder and President, KoolEarth Solutions Inc.
Brand panel: A future perspective
Aligning brand owners and producers - what do brands want and when? Impact of regulations such as EPR– challenges for brands & is this an opportunity for specialty papers?  What are consumers recyclability and sustainability expectations? What are the opportunities for collaboration within the industry?

Moderator: Steve Ottone, Technical Service Representative, MCP Mallard Creek Polymers

Panelists:
Steve Marko, Sr. Director R&D, Tillamook
Eric Klingenberg, Materials Science Lead, Mars
Steve Ottone | Technical Service Representative, MCP Mallard Creek Polymers
Panel: Unpacking New Research on Feedstocks, Performance, & Recyclability of Alternative Fibers for Packaging
As demand for fiber-based packaging rapidly increases alongside a myriad of other industries seeking wood fiber, the paper and packaging sector faces both uncertainty and opportunity to diversify its fiber basket to better meet the needs of brands, consumers, and regulators. A growing market is looking to alternative fiber solutions such as hemp, wheat straw, barley straw, and rice stubble as a means to reduce financial risk, provide sustainable packaging to customers, and advance decarbonization goals. Through collaborative efforts with industry innovators, leading brands and paper and packaging manufacturers are making exciting strides in researching and developing more eco-friendly products. But in addition to being environmentally superior, are alternative fibers strong enough to do the job? Are there sufficient and reliable feedstocks of alternative fibers? How do they perform? And what role can it play in a circular economy? Join solutions-driven nonprofit Canopy, and a panel of technical researchers as we review and discuss recent technical studies commissioned by Canopy on the feedstock availability, performance, recyclability, as well as answer common questions around alternative fibers for packaging applications. The panelists, will share their key findings, what they mean with respect to materials integration, followed by questions from conference attendees.

Moderator: Lee-Ann Unger, Canopy

Panelists:
Phil Harding, IntraCube Solutions, LLC
Kelly Tiller, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Genera
Isabel Urdaneta, Research Assistant, Sustainable Alternative Fibers Initiative, North Carolina State University

Lee-Ann Unger | Senior Corporate Campaigner, Canopy
Session VI: Acceleration of R&D
Networking Break
Sponsored by
Panel: The Paperization of Packaging
This panel will cover:
  • The future role of coatings in packaging including historical look at the evolution of coating technologies.
  • A deeper dive into cellulosics – forestry Vs. non-forestry, nano-cellulose, enzymatic modification, valorization of hemicelluloses and lignins.
  • How paper and plastics have historically been divided throughout the value chain and now we must bring them together all the way to the molecular level – a discussion on how we will do that over time.

Moderator: Zack Leimkuehler, General Manager, Little Rapids Company 

Panelists:
Nuha Siddiqui, CEO & Co-Founder, erthos
Zack Leimkuehler, General Manager, Little Rapids Company
Kelly Williams, Managing Director Lamination Division, Earthfirst

Lang Phommahaxay, Business Development Manager, TotalEnergies-Corbion
Jake Cahill, CEO, GreenKey

 
Networking Reception
Sponsored by
Registration Open
Opening Remarks
Session VII: The New and the Now in Sustainability Efforts
Reinventing paper-based packaging applications: How far could paper go?
Mondi, a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and paper, is extending its paper-based portfolio into the Consumer & Industrial segments. Innovative solutions such as a paper-based pallet wrapping, tray wrapping or mulching paper could not only replace plastics with renewable material but also significantly reduce CO2 footprints. Emphasizing the benefits of paper-based packaging as well as exceptional technical properties of fibers, Mondi invites industry stakeholders to explore the promising opportunities paper offers and collaborate towards a more sustainable tomorrow.
 
Marco Macoratti | Head of Sustainable Solutions for Retail Head of Sustainable Solutions for Retail Brands, Mondi
Session VIII: Innovations and alternatives for paper-based packaging
Exploring the Unbleached Kraft Pulp Market: Current Challenges and Untapped Opportunities for Unbleached Eucalyptus
The unbleached Kraft pulp market is evolving, marked by emerging opportunities and significant challenges. This presentation provides a comprehensive macroeconomic overview of the sector, with a focus on the innovative development of unbleached eucalyptus pulp. As a nascent market, unbleached eucalyptus is being pioneered by leading Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp (BEKP) suppliers such as Suzano, indicating a shift towards new sustainable products. The session will delve into the current technical challenges faced by producers and highlight successful industry case studies that showcase the potential and profitability of unbleached eucalyptus pulp in applications such as kraftliner, food packaging, fibre-cement, and molded fiber. By examining these aspects, the presentation aims to illustrate the path forward for industry stakeholders, identifying untapped opportunities that could reshape the future of the unbleached Kraft pulp (UKP) market.
 
Christopher Haverlock | Technical Service Manager, Suzano
Networking Break
Approaches for dispersion coated flexible barrier paper for packaging applications
Flexible paper packaging continues to gain traction as an alternative to plastic packaging. To facilitate successful transition, barrier coatings are needed to improve the inherently poor barrier properties of paper against water, oil/grease, water vapor, and oxygen. While the coating provides the barrier, the impact of the paper itself on the performance of the barrier coated paper is high. Smooth, high-density papers generally are preferred for preparation of barrier coated papers, while papers with open structures provide extra challenges to achieving excellent barrier performance from coatings. In this presentation different coating technologies that enable the use of open papers for multiple barrier applications will be discussed.
 
Dr. Wenwen Mei | Senior Research Specialist, Dow Chemical
Converters Panel
This panel will focus on speed to market, what convertors are looking for from their pulp suppliers, how the supply chain can help with innovations and design and then any potential sourcing issues when it comes to recycling.

Moderator: Scott McNutt, Consultant, Nextep Partners LLC

Panelists:
Jake Branyon, Associate Director – R&D, Flexible Packaging, Sonoco
Tim Coulson, Director of Product Development (Paper), Novolex