The Flexible Packaging and Label Manufacturers (FPLMA) Association recently held its annual technical forum in Melbourne, with more than 100 delegates in attendance – the highest number of attendees in more than six years.
In his opening address, outgoing FPLMA president Vince Sedunary said this year’s forum examines the emerging trends shaping the future of the flexible packaging and labels industries.
“We were deciding on what we were going to call the forum this year, ‘navigating the new frontiers’ came to the forefront,” Sedunary told attendees.
“There are many new frontiers we are facing as an industry. We are facing technology changes, industry changes, and regulation changes. There are a whole lot of new things happening in our industry.
“I think the number one thing that’s going on is the change in packaging substrates, whether it’s labels, films, papers, coatings or inks,” he said.
“We also have some tight regulations we have to meet with recycling sustainability. Another challenge that remains is bringing new people into the industry – how do we do that? How do we make it interesting? How do we get them into the industry?
“We are still and always will be a very relevant industry, and that was very evident during COVID. We all went through it, globally and at a local level, and the industry survived and moved forward into what we’re calling ‘the new frontiers’. It’s important to look back at history, but to always be moving forward.”
This year, more than 20 industry thought leaders took part in the event’s highly technical speaker sessions and panel discussions. Topics discussed included sustainability, technology, and legislation.
Keynote speaker, Victorian head of the Australian Industry (AI) Group, Tim Piper, kicked off the forum with an extensive overview of the current state of the Australian market.
Piper told attendees the industry is grappling with three transformational challenges, referred to as the ‘three Ds’: decarbonisation, diversification, and digitalisation.
“Decarbonisation refers to the change of Australia’s economy and society as we transition towards net zero carbon and is impacting just about everything we do. Digitalisation is about changing your business models, and done right, can improve productivity, enable faster decarbonisation, and support the development of diversified industries. Diversification reflects the need to build a broader economic base for national prosperity,” Piper said.
“The three Ds are what business leaders need to recognise.”
Sandra Dal Maso, head of packaging transformation at APCO, discussed the national packaging targets and how businesses can prepare for the incoming mandates. Dal Maso also provided practical advice on how to choose the best packaging for your product.
“You need to understand the role of your packaging. Understand the packaging value chain, and you need to assess your packaging against the sustainable packaging guidelines,” Dal Maso said.
Dal Maso added that the role of packaging is multi-faceted.
“[Packaging] is there to contain your product. It’s there for consumer safety. It needs to convey regulatory information and product information. It also needs to be machinable, cost effective, it needs to convey a brand, and it needs to be functional for the product you’re containing,” she mentioned.
According to Dal Maso, there are four key areas to consider when creating a package to meet circularity.
“Firstly, it needs to be designed to protect the product and maximise the recovery and functionality of the product. Secondly, there needs to be clear instructions with what to do with the packaging at the end of its life,” she said.
“Thirdly, it needs to be able to be collected and sorted. And finally, you need an end market to retain the value of the recyclable material.”
“Sustainable packaging design is nuanced. There’s no black and white. Everything is a guideline because it all depends on the package the product that you’re containing, and it depends on your application. Therefore, understand that protecting the product and keeping the consumer safe is the key function of your packaging. Also, understand that future mandates are coming, and you need to keep up with what you can do and what you can change in packaging so that you can meet these future mandates.”
Dal Maso’s presentation was followed by a sustainability panel discussion. Panellists included Louis Nottle, J&P Flexographics; Stephanie Too, general manager – innovation and sustainability, PPG; Thai Q Nguyen, technical manager, RollsPack; as well international guests Sante Conselvan, president of European FTA, and Garrett Taylor, sales director, Soma US.
Panellists shared how their businesses are responding to sustainability opportunities and challenges.
“A lot of the time customers come to us with problems to solve, they don’t have a solution in mind,” said Stephanie Thoo, general manager of innovation and sustainability at PPG.
“There’s lot of jargon and greenwashing in the market. Therefore, what customers are asking us for is clarity. It’s now our job to try to help them figure out the best sustainable option for them, and the implications and environmental impacts that you have to consider when choosing one application over another. For example, if you pick one sustainable solution, it might be more recyclable, but does it have a negative implication on carbon footprint? These are the types of conversations that we have been having with customers over the last six months,” she said.
Other day one speakers included Trevor Barr, Wilmar; Michael Kingsbury, ULLU; Trevor Crawley, Flint Group Digital; Pieter Mulder, X-rite; Scott Thompson, Esko; Alex Frenk, Windmoeller & Hoelscher; and Ricardo Camatta, Uteco.
Day two began with a presentation by Visual Media Association (VMA) CEO Kellie Northwood on the future of the packaging industry.
“We need to more collective and collaborative, not only in our uniting of the industry but how we work with customers and brand owners,” Northwood said.
During her presentation, Northwood announced the formation of the Labels and Packaging Coalition, a new initiative to provide print industry technical expertise to inform government policy, targets, and regulations.
Another highlight of the conference for delegates was a joint presentation by FPLMA 2019 and 2021 Apprentice of the Year winners Demi Samaras from MCC and Matilda Milligan from BrandPack respectively, who shared learnings and insights from their trip to the US as part of their prize.
Other presenters included John Watters, AuSIP; Charles Watson, VMA; Yvonne Hackett, Visy; Wolf Viergever, Starward (New Whisky Distillery Company); David Robins, DIC Asia Pacific, Brenton King, Hybrid Software; Richard Smith, Amcor; and Dave O’Reilly, Maxcess.
Celebrating excellence
The technical conference concluded with the FPLMA’s annual Awards Dinner, with more than 350 guests in attendance.
The FPLMA Print Awards represent a centre of excellence for the packaging industry in Australia. The awards highlight what can be achieved by dedicated and passionate people who take pride in their work, striving to achieve the highest print quality using a wide range of technologies.
“It’s important as an industry that we get together and congratulate each other, and more importantly, enjoy each other’s company,” outgoing FPLMA president, Vince Sedunary told guests.
Jon Murray from the Currie Group was awarded the 2024 FPLMA Merit Award, while RollsPack’s Phillip Rolls received the FPLMA’s Chairman’s Award.
Craig McCulloch from J&P Flexographics was announced the 2024 recipient of the prestigious FPLMA Hall of Fame Award.
The 2024 Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Nicholas Smith from Park Douglas Printing. The Apprentice of the Year is targeted at final-year college apprentices nominated by their tutors. Candidates must demonstrate they are competent to the standard they have been trained to, with high academic levels and a keen interest in printing processes.
As the 2024 winner, Smith will receive a trip to the US, including airfares and accommodation, attending the FFTA Forum and Print Awards on behalf of FPLMA while there.
