Tuesday, May 11

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3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Registration

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

Wednesday, May 12

Print  Wednesday's Schedule

7:00 a.m.
Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

The Emerging Market for Pouches and Bags:
An Assessment of Drivers for the Future from an Industry Leader
John Baumann, President/CEO, Ampac

As head of one of North America’s largest globally positioned flexible packaging companies, John Baumann has been an integral part of a flourishing industry and an esteemed spokesman for the value of pouch and flexible packaging technology. In a straightforward, no-holds-barred industry appraisal, Baumann will share his insights on how the pouch industry can continue its growth and meet the challenges of a shifting global economy. Look for Baumann to address issues including:

• Future conversion opportunities for pouches and flexible packaging
• Global threats and issues that need to be addressed
• Emerging markets and formats for pouches
• Insights to the future and where the industry must grow
• New technologies and innovations that are just around the corner

9:45-10:15 a.m.
Networking Break

10:15 a.m.
Global Sourcing – The Increased Importance of Integrating Asian Suppliers into the Flexible Packaging Supply Chain
Peter Agnew, President and Chief Operating Officer, Advanced Global Sourcing

As the global economy recovers, many companies find themselves at a crossroads, having to balance curtailed budgets with the need for product and sourcing solutions that promote innovation and transformation and create a sustainable advantage. In this changed business environment, global sourcing has assumed a new significance.

Peter Agnew of Advanced Global Sourcing will speak from experience on how executives can play this balancing act and leverage Asia sourcing to harness emerging opportunities and streamline operations. His address will:

• provide valuable insight into today’s global strategic priorities that will drive decision-making for 2010
• explore the evolution of Asia sourcing in the pouch industry, with emphasis on China, India and Vietnam
• explain how to reduce risks and improve efficiencies and productivity in sourcing overseas
• outline lessons learned and best practices from a company that sources continuously from Asia  

The Nest Collective Perspective:
Market Opportunities in Organic Food for Pouch Development
Neil Grimmer, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, The Nest Collective

Nest Collective has blazed a trail in pouches after bringing some of the leading organic food and personal care brands to the U.S. market. Neil Grimmer’s company includes two major brands of its own, Plum Organics and Revolution Foods, and partnerships with Seventh Generation and other major wellness-based companies.

Pouches have been a major part of its pioneering push: Plum Organics is a pioneer in the organic baby food category, recently launching baby food pouches and a toddler snack in the same pouch format. And Revolution Foods has introduced a squeezable fruit puree in the same pouch format. Neil will offer his insights on an emerging growth opportunity for pouches in food-based products. You’ll discover:

• Why the organic food category represents a major growth opportunity for pouches
• How Nest Collective has penetrated this segment and why the company opted for a pouch format
• Future opportunities in both food and personal care for pouches as a shelf differentiator for a brand

Technology Introduction!

The Food Safety Debate and Smart Cure Technology from Henkel
Guido Kollbach, Technical Director, Flexible Packaging Adhesives, Henkel Corporation

Brand owners such as Henkel Corp. and converters both grapple with food safety issues and the obligation to comply with safety regulations, while allowing the flexible package to reach its full physical performance. Henkel has developed new Smart Cure laminates, unique technology for solventless polyurethane adhesives that allows for full curing and FDA food safety compliance in a matter of days instead of weeks for most conventional systems. Guido Kollbach of Henkel will discuss:

• The development of this new, fast curing adhesive technology in a market where speed to bring flexible packaging to the shelf is critical
• The struggle among converters to conquer rising costs for materials and flexible structures while addressing food safety requirements
• The introduction of a new innovation that could drive new pouch development in an environment where food safety plays an increasing role

Q&A: Steve Gosling, President, Cheer Pack

12:15-1:30 pm
Networking Luncheon & Featured Presentation

The Development of Stand-Up Pouches in Europe: A Report from Overseas
Joerg Schoenwald, Principal, Schoenwald Consulting
Schoenwald Consulting, a major consulting firm for the packaging industry, has compiled new facts, data, and a market outlook on stand-up pouches in Europe that promises to shed light on a major region for both pouch growth and new innovation. Joerg Schoenwald will offer insight into:

• New data that showcases the growth of stand-up pouches on the European continent
• A market outlook that points to trends and opportunities in the future
• A cost comparison in Europe among stand-up pouches, cans, and glass bottles.
• Drivers of future growth for stand-up pouches

1:30 p.m
Key Considerations for Pouch Design and Performance
in an Era of Food Law and Legislation
Larry Jopko, Technical Service Manager, The Dow Chemical Co.

Today’s consumer requires food products that are fresh, appealing, and easy to prepare, and pouches used for retortable, hot fill, and microwave cooking are making market inroads. Dow’s Larry Jopko will discuss the numerous design considerations including adhesives that laminate the structures, adhesives and laminating technologies, retort barrier opportunities and such issues as controlled tear, food law, and minimal direct contact in perforated structures. Key points will include:

• An overview of available structure and lamination combinations for pouches
• An understanding of food law considerations in packaging globally
• Key benefits and technical performance for current adhesive technologies for pouch laminations
• The latest developments for adhesive technologies

New Packaging Developments From Japan.
Toru Ichikawa, Managing Director, Hosokawa Yoko Co. Ltd.
Kenji Nagata, Global Manager, Hosokawa Yoko Co. Ltd.

Since 1990, when Cheer Pack was first launched in the global market, Hosokawa Yoko has been a leading name synonymous with innovation and pouch development. The Global Pouch Forum will offer two of the global leaders in the company’s breakthrough innovations, which include the spouted pouch concept, Sleeve-in-Pouch, FC-Cut for easy opening, Corner Zip and Soft Bottle. Mr. Ichikawa and Mr. Nagata will discuss the next steps in Hosokawa’s highly functional and sustainable packages. Learn about:

• The invention of new pouches and formats from Japan that will affect the global marketplace
• The next stage of pouch design and development as a competitive tool in packaging
• New developments in spouted pouches and unique functions and shapes for pouches
• Sustainable developments for pouches that meet new standards and requirements

3:00-3:30 p.m.
Networking Break

3:30 p.m.
Current and Future Needs in Medical Packaging
Michael Barr, Product Manager, Films and Converted Products, Amcor

Amcor, a global leader in flexible packaging for medical devices, will offer an overview of trends and opportunities in medical packaging and future opportunities for pouches, films, and other converted products in a market that looms as one of the largest growth drivers for flexible packaging. Michael Barr of Amcor also will present a new customer market survey outlining current and future needs for medical packaging. Key learning points:

• An overview of the medical market for flexible packaging and where it stands today
• The history of medical device packaging and current packaging and requirements
• The future of medical device packaging and how films and pouches could be a driver in innovation and development

The New Paradigm in Plastic Bag Recycling:
A Closed-Loop Approach to Reusing Plastic Bag Material
Mark Daniels, Vice President of Marketing and Environmental Affairs, Hilex Poly

Hear from one of the world’s largest converters of plastic bag and film products on how it is reducing the impact of plastic on the environment by recycling commodity bags and increasing recycled content. Hilex Poly successfully opened the largest plastic bag recycling plant worldwide in 2005 and has just completed a major expansion. Learn how the company dispelled myths of the inability to recycle plastic bags and has crafted a new industry paradigm to produce clean bags and pouches from recycled content. Key learning points include:

• A brief history of plastic bag recycling efforts and some of the past challenges and opportunities
• A look at the recycling process at Hilex Poly and how it has successfully made the business case for adding recycling content
• An evaluation of Hilex’s Bag-2-Bag program and its ability to collect and reuse tissue, bottle overwrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags and other clean, polyethylene films
• A discussion of anti-bag initiatives and the faulty reasoning behind many of those claims

Technology Launch!

Combining the Pouch and the Carton to Create a New Package Structure:
An Innovative Approach to the Future
Neil Kozarsky, President, T.H.E.M.

Innovation in recloseable pouches is starting to include the incorporation of other material combinations that offer greater performance and value to consumers. Among the most widely discussed has been the ZipBox, a new packaging just launching that includes a pouch with a press-to-close zipper and a folding carton that eliminates the need for an inner liner and offers better cube utilization. Neil Kozarsky of leading-edge packaging innovations organization T.H.E.M. will discuss this radical new approach that could revolutionize pouch use.

Q&A: Jack Cunneen, Vice President, LPS Industries

5:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Expo and Reception

Thursday, May 13

Print Thursday's Schedule

7:00 a.m.
Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
Making the Pouch More Attractive to Brand Owners: A PMMI Special Report
Tom Egan, Vice President of Industry Service, Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI)
The trend toward flexible packaging formats continues to grow across market segments. And within this sector, the adoption rate of the pouch is particularly increasing. During this presentation, PMMI will address production and operations trends as they relate to pouch and flexible plastics packaging. PMMI also will share results from a number of flexible packaging-related studies. Key discussion points:

• Understand new manufacturing technologies and advances that allow for high-volume filling at tremendous speeds and make the pouch more cost-effective and attractive to brand owners
• Learn about how to translate the numerous consumer and business benefits for the pouch into more business and profitability
• Gain insight into trends and new developments that enhance operational excellence across the production line, speed commercialization and grow brand sales.

Technology Introduction!

Combining Aseptic Processing for Pouches with new E-Beam Technology
Stefano Tamarindo, Product Engineering Manager, Gualapack

Gualapack S.p.A. – a European leader in the manufacture of flexible food packaging – is developing a new aseptic filling line with Advanced Electron Beam that will join together the concept of the pre-made pouch and in-line electron-beam sterilization. The company will showcase the production of a functional, secure, and safe pouch joined together with the efficient and effective e-beam technology to conceive a revolutionary system for the aseptic industry for flexible pouches. Among the key discussion points:

• Premade pouches deliver substantial benefits over conventional retort, hot fill, chemical sterilization, or pre-irradiation techniques.
• A look at both the technical and economical viewpoints to using e-beam technology with retort pouches, with a focus on improving safety and reliability
• The drive toward the rapid adoption of pre-made pouch package formats for an increasing number of food and beverage applications

New Types of Functional Flexible Materials from Japan
for Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Tsutomu Isaka, President, Techno World Co. Ltd.

Based on more than 40 years of experience in R&D work and field applications of plastic film for packaging, Mr. Isaka will review current applications of oxygen- and aroma-barrier films and permeable films for produce, most of them developed in Japan for the global marketplace. The presentation will also include the company’s first disclosure of new types of functional flexible materials for sustainable packaging solutions such as those using:

• Multi-functional polyester films
• Paper-and-plastic composite materials
• Paper-based oxygen barrier materials
• Moisture control materials

10:00-10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:30 a.m.
Engineering a More Sustainable Flexible Pouch
Greg Fisher, Senior Associate, Plastic Technologies Inc.

From recycling issues to the use of new resins, rigid structures have typically taken a leadership position in sustainable packaging solutions. With 30 years experience advising major brand owners on structural packaging decisions, PTI will share insights on how pouch users and producers can use knowledge gained on the rigid side to create the next generation of flexible pouches. Discussion points will include:

• Introducing recycled content into previously “virgin material only”
• Introducing bio-based materials into petroleum-derived plastic applications
• Adapting the package design and manufacturing process to accommodate recycled/bio-derived content
• Meeting brand owner expectations and balancing package sustainability with performance and cost requirements

Innovative Solutions for Pre-Formed Pouches
Sal Pellingra, Innovation and Marketing Director, Ampac

Ampac’s Sal Pellingra will review several new applications of pre-formed pouches designed to overcome specific application problems including easy opening features, lightweighting and reuse. Key discussion points include:

• The emergence of pre-formed pouches and opportunities for continued development
• New pouch innovations and features that will drive growth of pre-formed pouches
• Sustainability initiatives, such as lightweighting and reuse, and their effect on the pouch industry

New Technology!

The Institutional Retort – Why Not Use the Retort as a Cooling Chamber?
Henry E. Strassheim III, President, SoftCan Technology LLC
SoftCan Technology is developing a shelf-stable flexible pouch for the institutional/foodservice industry that shortens the retort heating/cooling cycle. Henry Strassheim will discuss how lengthy pouch cooling cycles can lead to slower throughput in retort operations and affect quality. New developments promise less time in the retort chamber, fewer retorts needed and potential quality improvements.  Key learning points include:

• Exposure to a novel approach to retorting and cooling of large pouches
• An understanding of non-retort equipment for pouch cooling
• A discussion of how pouch cooling can affect product quality
• Cooling factors that can be controlled outside of the retort