FlexPackCon® 2023 Call for Abstracts

Anne-Marie Boulay
Professor, Polytechnique Montréal
Director, International Life Cycle Consortium, CIRAIG

Abstract

Although plastic seems to have become the icon for “environmental evil”, a comprehensive and scientific view on the issue and the alternatives is seldom provided. Life Cycle Assessment has historically provided such holistic view by encompassing the entire life cycle of a product and a comprehensive set of environmental indicators. However, the more recent attention on plastic litter in the environment, particularly the marine ecosystems, had not yet been integrated into the LCA methodology. This has prevented the tool to be used to guide decision making and orient the global discourse. Decisions have thus been made based on a plastic-reduction focus, without considering the potential impacts of the alternatives that would fill the function left unfilled by the plastic reduction. The LCA methodology has been rapidly developing impact indicators to include plastic litter and damage on the environment, completing the life cycle environmental profile of different plastic applications, and although still in their infancy, findings can already point us to important aspects to consider when wanting to address environmental issues associated with plastic and consider them when designing a new packaging. The complex and inter-related issues of plastic sustainability include waste management system and end-of-life disposal, degradability in environment, weight and density of the plastic item, shape of the macro and then microplastics, effect in the aquatic and marine environment, persistence and burial in the sediments, entanglement and toxicity, carbon intensity of the production, and many more. These can now start to be disentangled and put into perspective — with each other and with the alternatives - with an objective and scientific basis using life cycle assessment.

About the Presenter

Prof. Boulay is professor at Polytechnique Montreal and co-directing the International Life Cycle Consortium of the CIRAIG, an international research partnership spreading between Polytechnique Montreal and UQAM in Canada; and EPFL and HES-SO in Switzerland. She coordinated the WULCA working group to build consensus into achieving a harmonized method for assessing water use in LCA and is a co-founder and co-chair of the MarILCA (Marine Impacts in LCA) international working group supported by UNEP Life Cycle Initiative and FSLCI, leading the development of metrics to assess impacts for plastic emissions in the environment.

Barry Morris, Ph.D.
R&D Fellow (Retired)
Dow

Abstract

Flexible packaging is the fastest growing packaging format due to its ability to meet packaging needs at the lowest cost and with the least amount of material usage. The modern era of flexible packaging began in the early twentieth century with the introduction of cellophane, a transparent “wonder” film which enabled the development of large distribution channels of pre-packaged goods and changed consumer lifestyles and buying habits. New processes and materials have continually advanced flexible packaging technology. In concert, the scientific understanding of materials and polymer processing has progressed. The author will trace the history of flexible packaging, describing major developments in technology and the science behind them. Flexible packaging has constantly evolved to meet new demands and challenges. This bodes well for the future as the industry address its end-of-life shortcomings and moves towards a more circular economy. Learnings from the past, guided by improved scientific insight and engineering principles, can be leveraged to adapt flexible packaging to changing market, societal and regulatory demands. The author will interject personal observations from his career in the industry spanning five decades, highlight current challenges, and project into the future.

About the Presenter

Barry A. Morris retired from Dow as an R&D Fellow with over 35 years of experience in material science and packaging innovation and technology. He held a variety of technology roles supporting the ethylene copolymer business at Dow (formerly DuPont). Barry is a holder of 12 U.S. granted patents and has written for over 125 publications, including the recently published 2nd edition to his comprehensive book, The Science and Technology of Flexible Packaging (Elsevier, 2022). He excels at applying scientific principles to complex technical issues and explaining technology in a way that the practitioner can understand and use. In 2022 he formed BA Morris Consulting LLC to continue to offer his expertise to the packaging and plastics industries. In 2022 he also assumed the role of Chief Technology Advisor at VOID Technologies, a company developing solutions for more sustainable packaging.

Barry holds a PhD in chemical engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Delaware. He is a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and a long-time member of the board of directors of the SPE Flexible Packaging and Extrusion Divisions. He has won several industry awards, including the TAPPI PLACE Division Technical award, SPE's Bruce Maddock Award and the DuPont Pedersen Medal.

Eadaoin Quinn
Sustainable Packaging Senior Manager, Americas
Mars, Incorporated

Abstract

To package its products, like candy, pet food, and grains, Mars primarily uses flexible plastic. While flexible plastic packaging offers many advantages, North America's recycling rate is currently very low. This presentation will cover Mars's work to explore alternative solutions, design for recyclability and increase recovery.

About the Presenter

Eadaoin Quinn is the Sustainable Packaging Senior Manager for the Americas region at Mars, Incorporated. Eadaoin works with local teams to understand the recycling infrastructure, improve packaging design, and integrate recycled content. Eadaoin's current work is heavily influenced by her previous roles in the recycling industry — at a plastic recycler and at two material recovery facilities in the US and Canada. She holds a Master's in Forestry from University of Toronto and a Bachelor's in Biology from McGill University.

Pak Meng Cham, Ph.D.
Sr. Principal Scientist, Global R&D Foods Packaging — Sustainable Materials Commercialization
PepsiCo

Abstract

PepsiCo has launched a new compostable package for its snack products portfolio in the US and some other countries for a few years. The material is Industrial Compostable Certified. This presentation will share some of the technical challenges and experiences during development and commercialization, as well as what the future would look like.

About the Presenter

Pak Meng Cham has a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech (polymers). He worked in Materials Science and Product Development of polyolefins at Dow Chemical. He's been with PepsiCo for the past 13 years and is currently a Sr. Principal Scientist of Global R&D Foods Packaging — Sustainable Materials Commercialization, working on Sustainable Materials Development. Pak Meng Cham is an inventor of 12 patients.

Mike Levy
Market Area Director, Sustainability and GHG Consulting CLE – Certified Lifecycle Executive
First Environment

Abstract

This presentation will focus on a number of key issues regarding bioplastics and biodegradable plastics, life cycle assessment (LCA), and what are the key policy drivers today for plastics in general. Topics will include: Life Cycle Perspective regarding bio-based and biodegradable polymers. What is included in the total life cycle assessment for bioplastics? What are the social impacts of LCA that come into play? What are the changes in the ISO LCA standards that will incorporate social aspects and circular economy assessments? What are some of the key tradeoffs between bioplastics and petroplastic counterparts? What are some of the legislative policy drivers regarding LCA, sustainability, and biotechnology? House Resolution 5376 (Inflation Reduction Act). White House Executive Order (E.O. 14081) signed September 12, 2022, on “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.” White House issues a March 2023 “Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing” white paper that calls on Federal departments and agencies to harness biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation to further societal goals and transform industries related to climate change solution, food and agricultural innovation, supply chain resilience, human health, and cross-cutting advantages. Circular Economy and its impact on all materials.

About the Presenter

Mike is a Market Area Director, Sustainability and GHG Consulting, with environmental consulting firm First Environment. At First Environment he leads a team conducting ISO conformant external peer reviews of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, as well as sustainability and circular economy related programs and advice for clients. Mike’s expertise includes active participation in ISO global standards for life cycle, greenhouse gas (GHG) climate issues, and circular economy. He is an accomplished chemical and plastics industry executive and life cycle expert with over 40 years of experience working in and advising Fortune 500 companies, governments, and trade organizations. Mike is recognized globally as an industry leader, influencer, advocate, and trusted advisor on the circular economy across the supply chain. He is an innovative problem solver who has worked with legislators and regulators to develop solutions to key environmental, safety, and health issues facing key industries. Mike is a frequent speaker and organizer of global industry sustainability summits and conferences as well as an author of notable publications on the subjects of life cycle, circular economy, and sustainability. Leadership roles including Vice-Chair, Secretary, Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA) and elected co-chair of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) now developing the International Standard Association (ISO) standards for circular economy.

Tom Dunn
Market Area Director, Sustainability and GHG Consulting CLE – Certified Lifecycle Executive
First Environment

Abstract

This talk will summarize the SMITHERS report of this title, including an examination of sustainable flexible packaging developments for consumer-packaged goods, food as well as non-food, over the next 10 years, and how users and producers will adjust, in light of technological developments, regulations, consumer expectations, regulatory proposals, and major CPG Cos. plans that are already shaping the 2032 market.

About the Presenter

Tom Dunn is a veteran developer of flexible packaging products for food. He emphasized materials and how their features benefit packaging users. Dunn managed product development and food safety compliance for thirty years at his long-time employer, Printpack, and consults with producers and users of flexible packaging for food and medical products. He received career achievement awards from IFT Food Packaging Division, Flexible Packaging Division of TAPPI; the Packaging Hall of Fame and the Society of Plastics Engineers. His undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Yale.