If you ever hoped to hear from Nestle, Kraft, Unilever, Walmart, MolsonCoors all in one room, it appears that wishes come true at PACKEX Toronto.
During PACKEX Toronto (May 14-16, 2013 at the Toronto Congress Centre, presented by PlasticsToday parent UBM Canon) the Packaging Optimization Summit on May 15 will bring together North American retail and CPG leaders to share their thoughts on sustainability and packaging.
Here are some of highlights:
Unilever and Loblaw will discuss their sustainability initiatives specifically as they relate to zero waste, packaging reduction and recyclability. They will profile a new initiative that will "harmonize" packaging stewardship programs across Canada.
Coca-Cola will offer insight into the evolution of its much discussed PlantBottle. As we've reported here at PlasticsTodaythe 100% recyclable PlantBottle packaging is made from up to 30% plant-based material. The company is working toward a 100% plant-based bottle as well. This past April, Coca-Cola spokesperson Susan Stribling told me a global goal is to source 25% of its PET plastic from recycled or renewable material by 2015.
Walmart Canada will discuss its product sustainability initiatives in general and specifically its current work involving The Sustainability Consortium, category sustainability profiles, vendor collaboration and packaging.
It's safe to say that it's rare to get all these various companies together in one room talking specifically about packaging and sustainability. If you're already attending PACKEX or on the fence about it, I suggest you make an effort to check it out. If you want more incentive, here's a video on it.
UBM Canon's Toronto Manufacturing Expo
UBM Canon's Toronto Manufacturing Expo will co-locate six tradeshows under one roof. These events include PACKEX (packaging), Plast-Ex (plastics), ATX (automation technology), PTX/PBS (powder and bulk solids process manufacturing), Design & Manufacturing and Sustainability in Manufacturing. In its most recent 2011 Toronto event, more than 900 exhibitors participated and conducted more than 30,000 face-to-face meetings with show attendees.
At the Innovation Briefs Theater there are several topics worth checking out:
- Trends in Packaging: GFTC Business Unit - Technical Services, Carol Zweep, Packaging & Nutrition Labeling Services
- Supporting Sustainability in the Food & Beverage Industry: GFTC Business Unit - Sustainability Consulting Presenter - Maria Klimas, Sr. Project Manager, Sustainability Consulting
- Why You Should Consider a Contour Print Package: Shepherd Thermoforming & Pkg. Inc.
In addition, at Plast-Ex this lunch-time session could be of interest to those involved in plastic packaging:
Plastics Recycling - Meeting the Challenge of Post-Consumer Packaging
Presenters:
- Anthony Georges, President, Amut North America - Challenges of recycling shrink sleeve labels, plus case studies of innovative post-consumer plastics recycling operations around the world
- Bill Parisi, Project Coordinator, EREMA - Innovation in processing of post use and heavily printed polymers
Exhibitors at Plast-Ex include suppliers of injection molding machinery, auxiliary equipment, robotics, testing/QA/QC, molding and tooling, processing machinery, and materials and services related to plastics processing of all types.
Scheduled exhibitors that directly impact the plastics packaging market include:
American Kuhne
EREMA North America Inc.
Future Design Inc.
Klockner Pentaplast
Milliken & Co.
Nissei ASB Co.
Uniloy North America
Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp.
So be sure to bring your comfortable shoes, there's plenty to see and do at this event.
