Closure and Container Manufacturers Association to join the International Society of Beverage Technologists

The Closure and Container Manufacturers Association (CCMA) will become part of the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) on April 1, 2013, the organization announced Monday. A group will be formed with representatives from both organizations to facilitate the transition.

"The CCMA board has decided that the time is right to tap into the resources of a larger organization with which we already share several common interests and initiatives. We now look forward to using our collective efforts to tackle key industry issues together," said Roy Robinson, chairman, CCMA and vice president of business development for Portola Packaging, in the news release.

For the past 25-plus years, the CCMA has severed as a point of connection for three sectors: closures, containers and related packaging industry suppliers. By joining ISBT, CCMA says its members now will have access to additional technical support and will also be able to share industry guidelines and standards with a larger, more global audience.

Further supporting the decision for this move is ISBT's ongoing involvement in closure initiatives. For example, the society has had subcommittees working on finish/closure standards for many years. A number of CCMA efforts are already coordinated with ISBT, such as the Threadspecs committee which works on finish standards.

The ISBT was founded in 1953 and has more than 800 members in 45 countries. The society focuses on the art and science of non-alcoholic beverage technology. ISBT provides education programs, scientific forums, standards and guidelines for beverage professionals through meetings held in the U.S., Europe and Mexico.

"We are pleased to welcome CCMA members to ISBT. With their long history of packaging component knowledge and issue-based advocacy, their participation will make ISBT an even stronger industry organization," said Larry Hobbs, executive director of ISBT.

Hobbs said that CCMA members also will be able contribute to the ISBT's university program, which offers students basic training on beverage ingredients, quality, processing and packaging.

The CCMA consists of member companies, while the ISBT is comprised of individual members. Going forward, CCMA member company representatives will be invited to join ISBT as individual members. Key initiatives previously supported by CCMA, including sustainability and recycling, will be integrated into ISBT committees.