About PLGA Global’s 6th Anual Technical Conference

PLGA Global’s 6th Annual Technical Conference “Gravure Sustainability Through Technology” October 8-10, 2008 ~ Galt House Hotel ~ Louisvile, Kentucky by John Comerford For the second consecutive year, The PLGA Global’s Fall Technical Conference was held alongside the Ohio River at the sprawling Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after last year’s successful conference, David Haslam, of Southern Graphic Systems – Canada, accepted a daunting challenge to accept the role as chairman of the PLGA Global’s Technical Committee and with it, responsibility for developing the program for the 2008 Fall Technical Conference. David and members of the PLGA Global’s Board of Directors felt that the time had come to focus a conference on the environmental advantages and challenges facing the Packaging Industry, and how the Gravure process is leading the way in the application of technology directed towards sustainability in a world of finite resources. After nearly a year of hard work, David Haslam and Jim Lepp (PLGA Global’s Executive Director) unveiled a well thought out program to over 100 attendees. They had developed a series of sessions, paneled by experts, to discuss all of the factors associated with Gravure sustainability from raw materials through recycling - the “A through Z” of Gravure sustainability. On the first day of sessions, Jim and David opened the conference and introduced the first panel that focused on the sustainable development and application of ink technologies. Moderated by Mike Impastato, Flint Group, this panel was comprised of Manual Rivas, Siegwerk Ink; Rob Huber, Sun Chemical; Brian McDufford, Keating Charlotte; and Mark Glendennings, Inland Printing and Marketing. This panel covered all bases from advances in the manufacturing of inks, engraving technologies to reduce the volume of ink required to achieve quality print, to the challenges and rewards associated with the transition from a solvent to water-based printing environment. This great session got the conversations and ideas flowing and was immediately followed by a reception that provided the opportunity for all of the attendees to meet with their colleagues, vendors, and customers. The reception was held within an environment of vendor tabletop exhibits that brought a very high concentration of customers together with vendors and their new products. The second day of the conference began with a panel moderated by David Haslam which focused on cylinders and imaging technology. Gerd Koehler, Max Daetwyler Corporation; Vic Baranowski, Southern Graphic Systems; and Phil Pimlott, Cylicron, provided expert advice on lightweight cylinders and sleeves, automation, management processes and emerging engraving technologies.Ed Lieb, Sonoco Packaging, moderated the conference’s third panel dedicated to substrates. Ed Lieb, Sonoco Packaging, moderated the conference’s third panel dedicated to substrates. This panel presented the challenges associated with manufacturing and recycling all substrate types with a special focus on raw materials and thin gauge films as well as innovative packaging techniques to reduce the amount of materials necessary to protect consumer products. Gary Grimes, International Paper; Bray Brunkhurst, Milprint/Bemis; and Dr. Carol Casarino, DuPont Packaging, combined to create a very interesting and informative panel. The conversations sparked by this panel continued into the short lunch break. After lunch the final panel of the day began with the focus shifting to printing presses and associated technology. This panel was moderated by Heine Heininga, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation, and included his colleague Clemens Brinkmann, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation; Steve Boettcher, FLXON, Inc.; Bobbi Olp, QuadTech, Inc.; and Stefan Beilenhoff, Saueressig GmbH. This panel covered a wide range of topics including ink management systems, energy efficient dryer designs, waste reducing registration systems all directed towards press efficiency and reduced environmental footprint. The entire group then took a break from the sessions for a tour of Alcan’s nearby Pharma Center and a special private tour and reception at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Two informative sessions remained for the final day of the conference beginning with a panel of printers in a Sustainability Roundtable discussion led by conference chair, David Haslam. The expert panel was made up of veteran PLGA members including, Ed Lieb and David Schipper, Sonoco; Bray Brunkhurst, Milprint/Bemis; and Michelle Fontaine, Amgraph Packaging. This lively discussion was fed by questions from David and the very active audience and covered a wide variety of topics from the costs and benefits of recycling to the construction of an entirely new “green focused” printing facility. The last session of the conference brought us back to the driving force of all packaging efforts – meeting the ever-changing needs of the consumer products companies that manufacture the packaged products. PLGA Global Board Member, Annette Crampton, Miller Brewing Company, introduced Alberto Gaza of Cadbury North America as the keynote speaker. Alberto’s presentation entitled “Trends in Packaging,” provided excellent insights into the challenges and resulting products designed to appeal to the broad spectrum of consumers. As the 6th Annual PLGA Technical Conference came to a close, it became clear to us all that David Haslam, Jim Lepp, and the other active members of PLGA Global, had produced and participated in a unique conference. The interest and participation of the entire group was a reminder of the energy that has permeated the PLGA since its inception and has made it the premier organization for the mutual benefit of all of its members and our industry.