AIP April 2015 eNewsletter

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

AGM MESSAGE FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT

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Michael Grima MAIP & Ralph Moyle FAIP

he recent Annual General Meeting of the Australian Institute of Packaging covered the period of January to December 2014. The financial status of the AIP is sound which is an excellent reflection of the sustained efforts by so many members to the development and wellbeing of the AIP. We are focused on securing alternative income streams to support our widening scope of supporting education, in its many forms, to the packaging industry.

In the 2012 AGM address I focused on the growth of the AIP. The 2013 address was the year of further growth and memorable recognition of our past.

A theme of this board’s actions in the past 3 years has been to adapt to changes in the manner and location of where our members work and study occurs in this changing global environment. It has been a core value of this board to ensure that for the AIP to remain relevant to its members and the packaging industry, we need to reflect a global approach.

Our National Conference was held in Sydney in June. This remains a cornerstone of opportunity for members to mix, meet and learn. In all modesty, we do run an excellent conference and all members had an enjoyable and informative time. The global approach was noted with the large number of overseas speakers willing to attend and share their knowledge.

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Our relationship with the WPO continues to grow and our shared goals bode well for our diversification in the future. The personal achievement of Pierre Pienaar FAIP to be elected to the board position of WPO director of education is a reflection not only of his talents and dedication, but also the values that the AIP brings to the WPO. I can see that our relationship with the WPO will continue to grow.

Our education program continues to diversify to meet the needs of our industry.

• Our student levels in the Diploma and Certificate courses have sustained and we have reversed the trend of losing our existing students and more are returning to studies.

• Half-day courses with an even wider range of topics are held regularly and well attended in Australia and New Zealand.

• Mondelēz with the University of Melbourne have initiated a Masters in Food Innovation and Packaging course. The AIP will facilitate the packaging and design component of this course.

• We initiated the Women in Industry mentoring program with Emberin. This is at its core about personal development not technical detail, but it is another educational option to our members. The first program was a great success and there will be a follow up program in 2015.

As reported last year we signed an MOU with the APPMA to work together to promote ‘Packaging & Processing Week’ every year with alternating leadership. Not only do we both work towards serving industry better but it will be the premier packaging and processing event each year.

Previously we conducted a single day National Technical Forum at AUSPACK. Now it runs for four days and is well supported. The APPMA also continues to support us with its scholarship program.

Membership for all Associations is under pressure from a number of forces but the AIP is one of the very few Associations in the industry that can say they have retained their membership year on year. New members continue to join the Institute which is a reflection of our relevance. We have made changes to make our organisation more attractive and informative to our present and prospective members.

The AIP Newsletter is now a truly ‘E’ letter. It is professional in appearance, quick to assemble and issue. More recently the AIP Website has had a makeover and looks contemporary, fresh and easy to access and read. My compliments to Mark Kelton for his considerable efforts on both of these projects.

AIP National Office 34 Lawson Street Oxley QLD 4075 Australia  +61 7 3278 4490  +61 7 3009 9916  info@aipack.com.au  www.aipack.com.au

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AGM MESSAGE FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT Cont’d Corporations are removing their financial support to employees joining technical organisations and limiting their education growth. Corporations have undergone repeated restructuring and redundancies which has affected too many of our members who cannot find employment in our industry. There is a challenge to all of us and each branch to maintain an environment where people want to be part of our group.

Marketing of the AIP is handled very well by Nerida Kelton and she has a good story to tell. My thanks to all of the writers of so many articles written to publicise our organisation and the benefits of education. My own mentor in writing articles is not well and I personally wish to recognise Michael Halley FAIP for not only his on-going service but his patience and direction to me. Let us all hope he gets back to good health quickly. I asked of the AIP Board and your branch members that I wanted a modest contribution from all of you. With a shared load, we can grow and everyone can enjoy the journey. Thank you for that support. I wish to alert the board that as we continue to develop and grow, the workload must be shared.

In closing, to all of you thank you for your contributions to make our organisation as strong and relevant as it has ever been before. My special thanks to Tracey Buckley.

Tracey is hard to get in front of a crowd but we all recognise your on-going professionalism with our accounts as well as conducting invigilation of our student exams twice a year.

To Nerida and Mark Kelton. We have worked together very closely for 10 years and it has been my pleasure throughout this relationship.

To all the members, thank you again for giving me this role. I have truly enjoyed the honour you have given me for the past nearly 3 years as your National President.

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

I have sat on the National Board and been a state chairperson since George Ganzenmuller FAIP ‘conned’ me into leading the Queensland branch in 2005. You did me a great favour George. I wish to use this personal example to all members not to be wary of getting involved with your state branch leadership. It will surprise you how much you will enjoy it.

I am truly pleased to step aside for Michael Grima MAIP as the new National President. Like all presidents who have gone before him, he has his own skills and abilities which will provide the AIP with a new energy. I also congratulate Brent Du Preez MAIP as Vice President. With the diversity of growth within the AIP at this time, I believe we will be very well served by these two members for many years to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen will you now join me in thanking the AIP National Board for their contributions in 2014.

Ralph Moyle FAIP Outgoing National President

NEW MEMBERS The AIP would like to welcome the following new Members...

STATE Coster Ngirazi James Elder Handoko Putra Anthony Peyton Marianna McEwan Matthew Cape Craig Mackellar Nicholas Rodgers

Member Member Associate Member Associate Member Associate Upgrade to Member

NZ NSW VIC VIC NZ NSW NSW VIC

AIP TO OFFER CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL

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he Certified Packaging Professional designation will become the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals under a new partnership announced by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) in the U.S. and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

IoPP and AIP will mutually recognise CPP as the gold standard of broad packaging proficiency under a program in which AIP members will join qualifying IoPP members as being eligible for certification. Approximately 2,000 packaging professionals have earned the CPP designation, a trademark of IoPP, since the program was launched 1972.

CPP is a designation some of the leading packaging companies in the world want their influential team members to have because it demonstrates broad competency in all major areas of packaging. CPPs today typically enjoy more senior, decision-making positions in their companies, and research also suggests that holders of CPP often out-earn their non-certified peers.

“The net result is greater efficiency among global packaging teams and as a result, more efficiency use of critical budget dollars and greater opportunities for reduced product time to shelf.” he said.

Ralph Moyle, FAIP, National President, AIP, added that “Being able to offer the CPP credential in Australasia allows packaging professionals in our industry the opportunity to join recognised packaging experts from around the world with the industry’s leading professional designation.”

“Attaining the CPP designation is an excellent investment in your professional development, and the credential defines the packaging professional and allows organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions,” Mr Moyle FAIP said.

“Using the CPP program to assess and evaluate one’s professional competency validates you as internationally proficient as a packaging professional, a cut above your peers.” he said.

According to Mr Patrick Farrey, Executive Director of the IoPP, “Having the AIP as our first international CPP partner is a critical step to internationalising the CPP program and ensuring that we have a singular, unified approach for recognising packaging professionals around the globe,”

Under the AIP-IoPP partnership, members in good standing of either AIP or IoPP (at the Premium or Elite member levels) are eligible for the certification program. The program foremost requires that the candidate pass a 150-question online multiple-choice exam.

“We expect that regional packaging organisations in other countries will follow AIP’s lead. This is an important step because CPP helps assure that packaging teams around the world that need to work with each other can do so with the same approach, because they have all attained a high level of proficiency in packaging the same way,” Mr Farrey said.

They must also complete other qualifications, such as providing a Resume of Activities which enables them to demonstrate their industry expertise in multiple dimensions, subject to a review panel put together by IoPP and AIP.

MAKE HISTORY BY BEING ONE OF THE FIRST CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONALS (CPP®) IN AUSTRALASIA. For complete details and requirements on the CPP program, email info@aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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AIP LAUNCH NEW DRIVE YOUR CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM FOR MEN & WOMEN

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n an Australia and New Zealand wide first the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), in collaboration with Emberin, is pleased to announce the launch of the new Drive Your Career Mentoring program designed to support men and women to reach their potential in the food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries.

The AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring program which is supported by collaborative associations APPMA, LATMA, the Packaging Council of NZ and SPE, is an industry program designed for everyone; whether you are starting your career or in need of a kickstart.

The AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring program is a powerful, self-paced development program that transforms men and women professionally and personally. The mentoring program has a unique and proven learning format and the learnings are manageable, sustained and practical.

The program enables participants to master new skills and techniques over a 12 week period that allows them to create new patterns of behaviour, increased self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. They will also have access to fortnightly webinars with guest speakers from within our industry.

The AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring program is a newlyimproved version of the Ignite Packaging initiative that the Institute successfully launched in 2014 and is designed to cater for ALL stages of career cycle to give a new jumpstart.

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

According to Maureen Frank, Managing Director of Emberin, “the AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring Program is all about you – your life, your career and your growth as a person and your development as a leader in all parts of your life, including your family, your community and your organisation.”

“Through our other mentoring programs we have personally witnessed some phenomenal changes in individuals – from astonishing career moves, to life balance plans that work, to winning new customers and clients – in all we have seen participants move their own mindsets – they have been able to shift their thought process around what they believe may be possible for them, as individuals – and then - act on it with great success,” “The AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring Program will allow you to focus on yourself for the 12 week program – and that is something that we, as, in our busy lives, rarely do.”

Ms Frank said.

The 2015 AIP Drive Your Career program was launched at the 2015 National Technical Forums which were held alongside AUSPACK. Expressions of Interest are now open and applications close on Friday the 8th of May. The AIP invites every company in the industry to ‘sponsor’ two participants in the Drive Your Career Mentoring program.

To access an application form email info@aipack.com.au

NATIONAL TECHNICAL FORUMS OPEN WITH WORDS OF HOPE FOR MANUFACTURING “The reality is that labour productivity is central to our hopes and chances of maintaining and growing Australian prosperity,“ he stated, Cheaper energy is also a must. Currently, Australian manufacturers pay twice for electricity now than they did in 2004 and their gas bills are on a similar trajectory.

Willox noted that regulatory changes relating to the electricity networks are about to deliver benefits, and Australia’s vast energy resources and technology advances in alternative forms of energy such as solar also present hope.

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t every turn, there are signs of opportunity for Australian manufacturing,” Innes Willox, chief executive officer, Australian Industry Group, wanted his audience to know.

Willox’ discussion at the Australian Institute of Packaging National Technical Forums at AUSPACK began with his assurance that the decline of manufacturing in Australia is not inevitable but its survival hinges on a few key factors – in addition to the depreciating Australian dollar.

Australia is still battling high labour costs, but slashing wages isn’t the answer. Instead, the focus ought to be on building productivity through workplace flexibility and investment and skills capital, he continued.

Australia’s worker productivity has actually fallen over the past decade due to shrinking manufacturing investment in capital and skills.

“Our workers will produce more with newer or more advanced equipment and the training to use it.”

According to Willox, Australia’s industrial relations system has also failed to encourage flexibility and productivity.

And the current productivity commission enquiry into the workplace relations system needs to identify workable changes to restore worker productivity.

“Australian can still aim for an advantage in energy but to do so, we will need to transcend the partisanship that has paralysed Australian energy policy,” he added.

Every manufacturer has potential to become an advanced manufacturer with investment and innovation, and to this end, manufacturers must leverage technological advances in automation, robotics and information technology.

This, Willox stated, will enable Australian manufacturers to “seize opportunities across global markets and supply chains at previously unviable scales and speeds”, and will also enable them to switch markets and product categories if needed. This type of agility also hinges on stronger links between research and manufacturing. “Research collaboration is particular urgent to improve because lack of pipeline innovation can seriously disadvantage Australian industry for years to come.”

He noted that ABS data suggests that fewer than one in ten Australian manufacturers currently collaborate with research organisations even fewer with universities.

“Australia has some of best researchers in world and some of the most vibrant innovative businesses but neither of those capabilities will do much good unless they are working together.

“At every turn there are signs of opportunity for Australian manufacturing,” he concluded.

THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM PKN PACKAGING NEWS

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ATTAINING THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AND HIGHLY-VALUED CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL (CPP)® CREDENTIAL?

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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STAND UP AND BE COUNTED He cited local and overseas cases across a wide range of food categories of the growing penetration of pouches. As one example, the Kellogg’s Snack Attack portion control pouch encourage on-the-go consumption, increases consumption occasions, and differentiates from the standard cereal packaging.

“Stand-up pouches were also the fastest growing packtype in beverages, with a compound annual growth rate of 61% over the last five years, and for similar reasons to their popularity in food packaging. This is however, starting from a lower base,” Grimsey said.

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s there anything pouches can’t do? The answer is almost nothing, judging by some of the examples of innovative pouch packaging from around the world presented by Euromonitor’s Daniel Grimsey at the National Technical Forums that ran alongside AUSPACK last week.

“Stand-up pouches are among the five pack types which are forecast to grow fastest over the 2012-2017 period,” Grimsey said.

“In Australia, the fastest growing pack types are stand-up pouches at 55% compound annual growth each year, over the last five years,” he said “Stand-up pouches have grown so fast due to their portability in confectionery and baby food, as well their ability to stand out on the shelf in breakfast cereals.

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

“In alcoholic drinks packaging, stand-up pouches still play a very minor role globally,” he said. “Yet the pack type has proved that it can carve itself a niche in certain growth areas in what is a rather hermetic industry, by offering not only pack functionality but also a modern brand image.”

Pouches have, for example, experienced sharp growth in RTDs [ready to drink alcohol] in the US, but are also predicted to find other niche applications, according to Grimsey.

For more coverage of Daniel Grimsey’s presentation “Driving Growth Through Packaging Innovation” see the May-June print issue of PKN. Daniel Grimsey is senior research analyst at Euromonitor, based in the Sydney office.

THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM PKN PACKAGING NEWS

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APPMA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

n front of over 380 people during the 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards at the Crown Towers the APPMA announced the winner of the seventh annual scholarship program which enables one person each year to study a Diploma in Packaging Technology.

All of the candidates had a sound desire to learn more about packaging but due to the quality submissions that were received this year the APPMA agreed to provide two scholarships to the value of $20,000.

The judges believe that she has sound inherent qualities of mind and character, has a solid foundation with a good positive outlook, the will to achieve and an excellent track record in her short working career. Alysha wants to be the best in her portfolio. She is a worthy recipient and we wish her well.

According to Mr Mark Dingley, Chairman, APPMA, “The winners of the 2015 APPMA Scholarship are Alysha Baggett, Packaging Technologist, Frucor Beverages and Alexandra Brayshaw, Accessibility Design Researcher, Arthritis Australia,” “Alysha Baggett displayed a sound understanding of what is involved and showed great interest beyond the basics of packaging technology. She has the right credentials, knows what she wants to achieve and appears to have the drive to make it all happen.” Mr Dingley said.

Alysha has the academic qualifications in place to build upon and her current workplace and general interests certainly gave her the edge over other applicants.

“Alexandra Brayshaw has displayed great tenacity over a number of years, driven by her passion and enjoyment of her work and involvement in a very interesting sector of packaging. The judges believe that she will do well in this particular field by making those contributions that they seek in their scholarship winners. It was a very tough and gruelling interviewing process this year with very little % points separating the top 4 applications, but we felt that Alexandra had the edge on the others, and something that we in packaging look forward to experiencing more from her, in the years to come.” Mr Dingley said.

The two other finalists were Marianna McEwan, Contract Packaging Technologist, Frucor Beverages and Mona Parnian, Quality Systems Engineer, Wellman Packaging.

AIP PARTNERS

Find out how your company can become a partner of the AIP by emailing info@aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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DR CAROL LAWRENCE AWARDED AIP FELLOWSHIP Carol has an understanding of adhesive properties combined with developments in the packaging industry that have led to opportunities in marketing and many product innovations as self-adhesive labelling in Australia has grown in capability.

In her more recent focus with UPM Raflatac on the environmental aspects of self-adhesive labelling, combined with the sustainability of the raw materials used, Carol is involved in new raw material selection and waste management programs that enhance the company’s Biofore portfolio and strives for long term sustainable label solutions.

According to Mr Ralph Moyle, FAIP, National President of the AIP, Dr Carol Lawrence has displayed all the requirements and more to be awarded a Fellow.

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he Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is pleased to advise that they have awarded Dr Carol Lawrence PhD, Environment & Sustainability Specialist, UPM Raflatac a Fellowship.

The grade of Fellow is the highest recognition to AIP members and is designed to recognise the significant and sustained contribution to the technology, science or application to packaging in the industry.

Carol’s experience in the label industry spans over twenty years, starting with a technical role at Jac Australia that underpinned the selection of the most appropriate label material for the required application. This role was enhanced by a background in chemistry, including a PhD in polymer chemistry, gained in the UK.

“Carol has and continues to share her knowledge and expertise with many in the industry, giving freely and willingly of her time and experiences. Over many years she has ensured that others benefit from that which has learnt, never hesitating to show and educate others so that they too will one day hopefully pass on knowledge,” Mr Moyle FAIP said.

“Carol has an enormous depth of understanding in a field of packaging that challenges many. She displays great passion, understanding and patience to ensure that others can benefit from that which she knows. The AIP acknowledges her generosity of imparting so willingly of her expertise, experiences and knowledge both through the various educational programs as well as via the numerous AIP formal opportunities and informal pathways.” he said.

The AIP National Board would like to once again congratulate Dr Carol Lawrence for her significant contribution to the labelling and packaging industries in Australia.

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

KHS Pacific Pty. Ltd. P.O. Box 378 | 1-3 Freight Road Tullamarine, Vic. 3043, Australia Phone +61 3 9335-1211| Fax +61 3 9335-1331 Email: info@khspacific.com.au

www.khs.com

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2015 ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY EVENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND To register to attend any of the events simply email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page on www.aipack.com.au

INTEGRATED PACKAGING SITE VISIT

NSW

When: Wednesday the 22nd of April Where: Integrated Packaging Time: 11.30 am Attendees will have the opportunity to see a flexible packaging operation from resin storage, through the extrusion of film, (mono, co-ex, in-line printing & bag making) in line and on site recycling of films and trims back in to the process, and 8 colour printing and conversion to various bag formats of the printed film in the Integrated Packaging printing and converting department.

FOOD SAFETY-PACKAGING STANDARDS & REGULATIONS HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE

2015 Queensland

BUILDING the SUPPLY CHAIN BRAND • ADAPT • BALANCE • CONNECT

VIC

When: Wednesday the 22nd of April NEW Where: Viewpoint Centre COURSE Time: 10.00 am Presenter: Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP This Food Safety-Packaging Standards & Regulations half-day training course will help suppliers and packaging businesses as well as retailers become fully familiar with the requirements of the Standard.

Attendees can expect to take away a clear understanding of the importance of knowing, understanding and being able to applying the Standards and Regulations effectively and correctly. It will help them apply what they have learned to their own production and distribution situation - saving waste, improving delivery and increasing profits.

When:

Thursday 20th & Friday 21st August

Where:

Sofitel Hotel Brisbane

What:

More than 5000 delegates from across Australasia have attended the Queensland Supply Chain & Logistics Conference in its 16 year history. We invite you to be part of this history.

 info@qldscc.com  www.qldscc.com

FOODBANK CHRISTMAS PARTY

The purpose of attending this course in Food Safety-Packaging Standards & Regulations is to ensure that for those involved meet the needs of industry, enterprises and develop individuals in expertise and knowledge ensuring that they update, maintain and develop their skills in standards and regulations within the packaging industry.

INTRODUCTION TO PRINT TECHNOLOGY HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE

VIC

When: Friday the 17th of June Where: Viewpoint Centre REVISED Time: 10.00 am COURSE Presenter: Andrew Readman Trainer & Assessor – Printing & Graphic Arts, Spectra Training Have you ever gone to a press approval and struggled to make the printer understand what you wanted? Do you want a basic understanding of what problems you are likely to encounter with each print process?

When: Friday the 4th of December Where: Officers Mess, Victoria Barracks What:

Members spend the day packing Foodbank Hampers to distribute to those in need at Christmas; many of whom are without employment, families with young children and living on the poverty line.

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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AIP WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Q

: Why did you join the AIP? What benefits do you believe the AIP offers all their members?

Coster: I joined the AIP so I can get deeper industry reach and have stronger peer to peer connections. I need to be up to speed with what’s happening in the packaging world. I believe the AIP will offer information about current AIP events and programs.

Coster Ngirazi MAIP Packaging Development Technologist Fonterra Research & Development Centre (FRDC) (New Zealand Member)

Paul Ross MAIP Chief Executive Officer Remapak

Paul: The benefits for joining the AIP are to gain a better insight into the Australian Packaging Industry and the people who work within it.

The AIP has a well established network of packaging professionals who work within industry across multiple fields. The AIP has the opportunities to connect people and establish contacts through its various network.

The opportunities to make new introductions – via industry meetings, plant visits and information provided will assist RemaPak being better connected with the local packaging community.

Q

: How long have you been in the industry? What are your areas of expertise?

Coster: I have been in the packaging industry for more than fourteen years stretching back to 1995 when I started with Unilever Zimbabwe.

My expertise includes packaging development, project management, packaging specification management packaging waste management.

I also have experiences in FMCG - food, dairy, toiletries & cosmetics and retail.

Paul: I have been in the Australian & Indonesia Food and Packaging industry over the past twenty-eight years. I have worked in a number of different organisations including: Cerebos. Ingham’s, Visy & Coca Cola Amatil. The key area of the packaging industry which I have been involved in has been in plastics manufacturing - particularly PET bottle manufacture. I have been fortunate enough to have been at the forefront of many industry changes including the implementation of Blow Fill Technologies whilst working at CCA in Australia and Indonesia.

Q

: What is your current job role and what are your responsibilities?

Coster: My current role is Packaging Development Technologist at a Research and Development Centre. My responsibilities include New product development for Global Brands.

Paul: I joined RemaPak in November 2014, in the position as CEO. With the responsibility to establish RemaPak as a leading manufacturer of Packaging Solutions to the Australian Packaging and consumer goods industries. RemaPak is an established business (in business for the past 40 years) and has been involved in a range of products for the various industries. Including – foam cups & containers, plastic cups, plates & trays, cake domes, sleeved packaging packs, lids. The plan is to develop strategic partnerships to assist retailers, distributions and manufactures to meet their packaging solutions. One of the key developments RemaPak can offer is both recyclable and bio-degradeable solution for all our packaging offerings.

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

NERIDA KELTON – SETS AN EXAMPLE TO WOMEN IN THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY

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hilst I have been in the Packaging Industry for 23 years, I have realised that in some, but luckily not too many circles, it has been a more difficult path to be a female. It must be said however that within the AIP I have always felt welcome.

Once again however, Nerida had motivated me and organised me to be interviewed for one of the webinars.

I remember feeling nervous just before my presentation on Labels and Labelling Sustainability, at the AIP National Conference on the Gold Coat 2012, even though I had delivered a presentation to the Packaging Clean & Green Conference back in the mid 90’s.

Importantly - back to Nerida, as it has occurred to me that she needs to be suitably recognised for her leadership skills and the way that she not only inspires women, but motivates them to believe that they can achieve more than they ever expected. Thank you Nerida, so much, for your role in the AIP. You are a key female in the industry and have been a key part in enabling the networks that allow us to perform more creatively.

At that time Ralph Moyle was the incoming President and he had kind, and as always, calming words when he said to me “Just remember you are among friends here.”

It was at that Gold Coast meeting where I first met Nerida Kelton MAIP and she was so friendly and welcoming that I felt she must have been my younger sister in a past life!

Continuing on my journey with the AIP, I met Nerida, just for the second time, at the following years AGM. Whilst significant time had passed, she greeted me as if I was a long lost friend. We got chatting and before I knew it she had me lined up to supply UPM Raflatac labelled wines for the AIP 50th Anniversary Dinner and writing an AIP Short Course on Labels.

When Nerida announced at the 2014 National Conference that the AIP were launching the AIP Ignite Packaging mentoring program to enhance the leadership skills of females in our traditionally male dominated industry, I thought it sounded like a fantastic program that I would like to attend.

Whilst it was great to have the opportunity as everyone has something to share I could have truly benefitted from enrolling in the AIP Ignite Packaging mentoring program.

Luckily I have now met many of the participants, who come from a very diverse group with varied roles in the packaging industry and I am inspired by what I have learnt from all who took part.

My sentiments are shared by the other girls across Australia and New Zealand that completed this hugely successful AIP Ignite Packaging mentoring program. The participants all have many positive moments to share in recognition of your dedication, and feel that every single one of them has been personally touched in a positive way. The enthusiasm you have displayed to sell the concept of developing our place within the industry, to get the program up and running, accept and act on feedback, then adapt it for the future benefit of all AIP members has shown true courage and commitment. We all really value your efforts.

Dr Carol Lawrence PhD, FAIP Environment & Sustainability Specialist UPM Raflatac

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY: WHAT’S NEW IN THE FIFTH EDITION NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

2015 FOOD MAGAZINE AWARDS NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 30 APRIL! So get in quick and nominate today before it is too late!

These prestigious awards showcase best practice and innovation in the Australian and New Zealand food and beverage manufacturing and packaging industries.

Submit your entry and you could see your success and hard work rewarded at a glamorous gala event. All finalists will be profiled in Food Magazine and on the website.

They will also be given two free tickets to the gala dinner where the winners will be announced.

Categories • Beverages • Baked Goods • Community Engagement • Dairy • Employer of the Year • Food Safety and Innovation in Non-Food • Health and Wellness • Ingredient Innovation • Label Design • Meat and Smallgoods • Organics • Packaging Design • Prepared Foods • Snack Foods • Sustainable Manufacturer • Ready Meals For more information on the awards or to download the nomination kit please visit: foodmagazineawards.com.au/nominations

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AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

• Peer-reviewed and improved by nearly 100 subject matter experts in all areas of packaging to add to the previous work of Walter Soroka.

• New insights reflecting the contributions of numerous packaging veterans at the industry’s leading trade associations and consumer product companies.

• Two new chapters: packaging law and packaging and the environment.

• Completely rewritten, updated and newly illustrated chapter on fiberboard.

• Updated content in every chapter.

• New discussions on design, digital printing, smart packaging, bioplastics, supply chains and more.

• Expanded section on pharmaceutical packaging.

• A comprehensive chapter review questions answer key in the back of the book.

• References to websites for additional reading.

• New and revised illustrations, photography and tables to enhance understanding of packaging principles.

Over 748 pages, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, Fifth Edition gives you the most authoritative, current and comprehensive information available on all the major areas of packaging! Clear and concise, with easy-to-understand explanations from IoPP technical committee members and experts at the industry’s leading packaging associations.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORDER FORM

AIP started 2015 with a number of technical dinners and site visits across QLD, NSW and VIC and also NZ. Here are just a few of the events we have run thus far in 2015.

AIP NSW HEADED TO VISY RECYCLING

AIP/SPE VIC DINNER ON PHARMACEUTICALS

AIP QLD HEAD TO COCA-COLA RICHLANDS

AIP NSW HANNAPACK SITE VISIT

AIP NEWSLETTER APRIL 2015

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12 TECH SPEAK

www.packagingnews.com.au

March-April 2015

Getting down to specifics WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED TO BE THE KEY CHALLENGES AROUND RECORDING, MAINTAINING AND CIRCULATING OF PACKAGING DATA IN THIS DIGITAL AGE?

Establishing an industry-based format for sharing packaging specifications is the task of a working group run by the AFGC and made up of AIP members from packaging and FMCG companies. In this Q&A, representatives of the group provide some insight into the scope and benefits of the project.

D

EFINING packaging through specifi-

cations has long been a challenge for packaging technologists, with each section of the packaging industry and even individual suppliers within a category defining packaging in a different manner.

The Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) Product Information Form (PIF) review project has brought to light an opportunity to address this diversity. This is an issue across many areas of the packaging industry, exacerbated by the more recent challenge of recording, maintaining and circulating of packaging data in this digital age.

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT INVOLVE AND WHAT IS THE TIMELINE? IS THIS COLLABORATIVE MODEL ADOPTED ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD? The AFGC Product Information Form (PIF) is an industry-agreed questionnaire intended to be used by companies to provide a wide variety of information about food products and ingredients in a single document that meets the information needs for

legal and regulatory compliance.

The PIF was launched in ANZ in 2005 with the objective of replacing multiple company-specific forms. It is managed and supported by the AFGC and is currently freely available on the AFGC website.

The AFGC is now undertaking a review of both the content and technology platform on which the PIF is delivered. As a result of the current review, the AIP and its members have been working with the AFGC to develop and enhance the packaging information contained within the current PIF. A working group was established with expert packaging technologists from across the industry coming together to develop the content.

The AFGC is not aware of this type of collaborative model elsewhere in the world.

Fiona Fleming MAIFST Advisor, Policy & Regulation Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC)

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I see that the key challenge in this area is to be able to link packaging material specifications with manufacturing data so that companies can quickly and easily know what is the latest version of artwork, material types, certifications, material sources and sustainability information for any of their products.

Standardisation of packaging specifications would better enable IT resources to develop databases that reduce the time spent entering information, and, more importantly, enable companies to make information avialable online that is key to consumer purchase decision making.

On-line purchasing has increased the degree to which consumers are demanding information about a product prior to purchase, and at times they will not buy if this information is not available. Whilst companies can generally answer any question about a product from internal knowledge bases, the information is often not held in one database, and needs to be sourced manually.

As Australian businesses need to increasingly compete internationally, reducing the costs required to maintain and update information is just another part in helping make our products competitive on the local and international market.

Jason Goode MAIP Packaging Development Manager Simplot Australia

FOR A MULTINATIONAL LIKE NESTLÉ, WITH PACKAGING FORMATS THAT CROSS MANY BORDERS, HOW WILL THE OUTCOMES OF THIS WORKING GROUP IN AUSTRALIA BE DISSEMINATED ACROSS THE GROUP GLOBALLY? WHAT WILL BE THE MAIN BENEFITS FOR YOUR COMPANY? Our company has a global packaging specification management system and we see time and time again how having detailed, accurate packaging specifications benefits our operations, in having specifications matched to equipment capabilities, product requirements, and allowing identification of cost and source optimisation opportunities.

March-April 2015

TECH SPEAK

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INDUSTRY-FIRST COLLABORATION

Having packaging specifications in a standardised, digital format is essential in meeting the growing needs of the Australian packaging industry.”

To my knowledge, there is no one consistent method in other countries in which packaging specifications are shared between organisations, and I look forward to Australia being the leaders in this area. I see our industry approach as having two main benefits. Firtly, for Nestlé in Oceania, we have more than 1000 packaging specifications, so anything that helps with business- to-business communication, even just by saving 15 minutes of communication time back and forth for each new specification, will result in significant resource savings to the business. Secondly, ensuring that all the required specification information is available in the one document correct from the source will help to reduce the incidents where a key packaging performance parameter is missed, potentially saving a lot of rework if something goes wrong.

Nina Cleeve-Edwards MAIP Manager – Oceania Innovation Acceleration Team Nestlé Australia Ltd

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MAIN BENEFIT OF THIS PROJECT FOR FMCG MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS? For FMCG manufacturers, the challenge of keeping accurate, up-to-date, standardised data on their packaging specifications has never been greater. The business divisions of operations, quality and procurement have traditionally had the greatest need for this information (and still do) but with the growing demands from consumers to

know more about what they are buying, clear accurate, readily available packaging information is now essential. Retailers are both brand owners and a key link with consumers. All retailers are wanting to know more details about what product ingredients and packaging materials are being used for their branded products. This is most relevant in the growing online retail environment. Having packaging specifications in a standardised, digital format is essential in meeting the growing needs of the Australian packaging industry.

Ralph Moyle FAIP National President Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MAIN BENEFIT OF THIS PROJECT FOR A PACKAGING MANUFACTURER? An industry standard for specifying packaging will help us understand our customers’ needs in the packaging development phase. Packaging specifications often use technical terms that are familiar to our industry, such as ‘bearing surface’ or ‘brimful capacity’, which our customers may be less familiar with. A common standard will allow us all to be on the same page.

Brad Malcolm MAIP Product Development Manager O-I Asia Pacific ■

THE working group is seeking to develop a questionnaire with agreed-on terminology for all parties in the supply chain to access.

THE PROBLEM: At the moment FMCG manufacturers, packaging suppliers, retailers and GS1 have different/modified specifications and the data is inconsistent; transferring data among the packaging supply chain is arduous and most of it is inputted manually each time a supplier or retailer requires the data.

THE SOLUTION: The AFGC and AIP members have formed a working group of major FMCG and packaging suppliers to address the standardisation of agreed terminology across core packaging formats. The goal is to be able to receive, store and distribute packaging data in a digital format while protecting the IP of the supplier / FMCG relationship and sharing necessary information with industry data management areas.

The idea is to shift manually uploaded data on packaging specifications to a digital data management format that can be consistently and easily transferred among FMCG companies, suppliers and retailers. This working group is trying to bring packaging specifications into an electronic era and make the job of maintaining data less arduous and more efficient. This will allow industry to have agreed on packaging terminology for the food industry that is consistent.

The working group is made up of AIP members from FMCG companies and AFGC member companies and packaging suppliers across Australia and is driven by the AFGC. The AFGC and AIP are collaborating on this initiative to serve the industry on matters related to packaging.

The initiative will be launched at the National Technical Forums, to be held at AUSPACK on 24-27 March (see p.27).

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