AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
Join the AIP on
YOU ARE INVITEDYOU TO JOIN THEINVITED AIP TO ARE TO JOIN THE AIP TO CELEBRATE THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATE THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY Come and join us for a most-memorable evening with old and new colleagues, mentors and friends!
WHAT:
The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is proud to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in September.
WHEN:
Thursday 12th of September
WHERE:
The Chapter House 197 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000 This striking building built in 1891 is adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral and is one of the CBD’s most imposing function settings. A truly historic and unique setting for the AIP’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
LIMITED NUMBERS FORonTHIS SPECIAL EVENT SO DON’T DELAY! Please email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page for more information Pleasewww.aipack.com.au email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page on www.aipack.com.au for more information 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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DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2013
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
VIC When: Where: Time: Speaker:
AIP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday the 3rd of July Box Hill Golf Club 4.00 pm until 5.30 pm The AGM will be followed by the AIP VIC Branch Technical Dinner.
VIC When: Where: Time: Speaker:
AIP TECHNICAL DINNER In conjunction with APPITA When: Where: Time: Speakers:
AIP TECHNICAL DINNER
Wednesday the 3rd of July Box Hill Golf Club 6.00 pm John McBride MAIP Principal John McBride & Associates
NZ When: Where: Time: Presenter:
INTRODUCTION TO PACKAGING ECONOMICS HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE Wednesday the 24th of July BNZ Highbrook Partner Centre 10.00 am Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP Packaging represents a significant investment in any brand with innovation and design driving improved consumer utility and function. Packaging protects and preserves its valuable contents through the supply chain delivering the product to the consumer in the state that its brand owners intended.
NSW When: Where: Time: Presenter:
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INTRODUCTION TO PACKAGING ECONOMICS HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE
Thursday 1st of August Oatlands Golf Course Club House 10.00 am Pierre Pienaar MSc FAIP Packaging also represents a major cost to its brand owners and users of packaging remain under constant pressure from rising costs due to raw materials, energy and on-costs. Understanding what is ‘cost effective packaging’ and how to achieve it – remains the key to ensuring that your company remains competitive in today’s tough trading environment.
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
Wednesday the 7th of August Box Hill Golf Club 6.00 pm Craig Elvin Sales and Services Manager Visy Glama Craig will talk about trends in corrugated Point of Purchase (POP) in both Australian and overseas markets. He will look at board grades, paper make ups, the influence of China production, retailer influence on POP and design styles and design considerations. William Wu General Manager Cyclelink Australia William will provide a presentation on what Cyclelink is doing across the world and how Chinese Paper mills value different sources of recycled fibres.
What does the term ‘Best Practice’ really mean? Observations from 30 years experience in and around the packaging and food manufacturing sector. Charlie Hong MAIP Sales Director Titan Packaging Charlie Hong MAIP will be discussing flexible packaging innovations, machinery and alternatives to current packaging which add to landfill and raise questions about sustainability.
VIC
AIP 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER
VIC
When: Where:
Thursday the 12th of September The Chapter House This striking building built in 1891 is adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral and is one of the CBD’s most imposing function settings. A truly historic and unique setting for the AIP’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Time: What:
6.30 pm The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is proud to be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in September. Come and join us for a mostmemorable evening with old and new colleagues, mentors and friends!
PACKAGING FOR PRODUCT LIFE EXTENSION HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE When: Where: Time: Presenter:
Wednesday the 25th of September Viewpoint Centre REVISED COURSE 10.00 am Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM, FAIP The extension of shelf life using modern packaging techniques plays an important role in food packaging. The course examines a range of integrated technologies with the emphasis on the packaging operation, the materials used and their selection.
INTRODUCTION TO NANOTECHNOLOGY HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE When: Where: Time: Presenter:
VIC
VIC
Wednesday the 27th of November Viewpoint Centre NEW 10.00 am COURSE Terry Turney
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2013
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
AU
INDUSTRY EVENTS INTRODUCTION TO AEROSOL TECHNOLOGY COURSE
CSIRO SITE VISIT
INTRODUCTION TO AEROSOL TECHNOLOGY COURSE & Optional Factory Tours
When: Thursday the 22nd of August, 9:00 AM Friday the 23rd of August, 5:00 PM Where: Macquarie Graduate School of Management Macquarie Park, NSWMacquarie Park, NSW MGSM Conference Centre, What: 2 Day Workshop plus optional day of factory 22-23 August 2013 tours. With Optional Factory 21 August 2013 The course is a must for anyone working inTours an onoperations, laboratory or technical role with aerosols. It is ideal for those starting out in the industry or wishing to refresh or increase For more information:their knowledge of aerosol technology. www.aerosol.com.au
tel: (02) 8095 9630 training@aerosol.com.au www.aerosol.com.au
When: Where: Time:
Monday 16th of September CSIRO facility in Clayton 9.30 am
The tour will be facilitated by CSIRO’s Business Development Manager Dilip Manuel who will provide everyone with an insight into one of Australia’s premier R&D facilities. The event will provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about CSIRO and its involvement in the development and commercialisation of technology. www.csiro.au
2013 CORMACK INNOVATION AWARDS We are back for our 12th Year! Cormack This year's Award Presentation Night will be on Innova on New to the aerosol industry or wishing to increase your Thursday 31st of October Awards knowledge of the aerosol and industry matters? Smart Minds
in Sydney. Save the date, it is set OF to bePACKAGING a great evening! MEASUREMENT
Then the Aerosol Association of Australia’s two-day Introduction to Aerosol Practicalcourse Solutions Technology is for you.
INDEPENDENT
Delivered, for the fifth year running, by experienced and respected local and international aerosol industry practitioners, the course will leave you with a greater understanding of the components that make up this unique packaging solution, how aerosol technology works and, importantly, what affects its performance.
PERFORMANCE
For all enquiries please contact: Amber Bates abates@cormack.com.au 02 9707 8017 www.cormack.com.au
Speakers will cover all aspects of aerosol production, including propellants
and formulation considerations, safety, testing, warehousing, industry INDEPENDENT regulations, and sustainability. MEASUREMENT OF PACKAGING PERFORMANCE In addition, Hidetoshi Miyamoto, R&D Manager, Daizo Japan and One Asia Network, will share some exciting innovations in the aerosol format! Plus, now you can attend an optional extra day of factory tours on 21 August 2013 to see aerosol manufacture in progress at a can factory, a valve factory and an aerosol filler. Groups of five or more from the same company are able to negotiate a special rate, so encourage your colleagues to book with you.
Permeability testing - oxygen transmission and water vapour transmission. Analysis to determine what types of plastic materials are present in a sample, including structures of multilayered packaging. Mechanical testing of plastic films – tensile strength and related properties, tear resistance, puncture dart impact and transmission. others. Permeability testing - resistance, oxygen transmission andresistance water vapour Plus many tests.what types of plastic materials are present in a sample, Analysis to other determine including structures of multilayered packaging. Mechanical testing of plastic films – tensile strength and related properties, Australia 1300 tear GunnLab resistance, puncture resistance, dart impact resistanceNew and Zealand others. 0800 GunnLab Plus many other tests. Email: bruce@gunnlab.com.au
www.gunnlab.com.au
Australia 1300 GunnLab New Zealand 0800 GunnLab Email: bruce@gunnlab.com.au
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
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AIP RECOGNISES RICHARD SMITH WITH A FELLOWSHIP
T
he AIP National Board recently recognised Richard Smith with a Fellowship. Richard Smith FAIP, is currently the General Manager of Technical Development, Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific – ANZ. Richard is receiving his Fellowship for the significant contribution he has personally made to the development of polymers and innovative plastics packaging across a diverse range of packaging mediums including rigid containers, closures, trays and more recently flexible packaging.
Richard Smith FAIP
He is also the AIP’s newest course presenter and runs the Introduction to Flexible Packaging and Bioplastics half-day training course. We asked Richard to tell us a little more about his background and his packaging experience...
Q A
. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN THE PACKAGING INDUSTRY?
In 2004 the ACI business was sold and I joined Simplot briefly for a year as Supply Manager for Packaging.
. My first job was as Quality Assurance Officer with a global packaging company called Van Leer (since acquired by Huhtamaki). I joined Van Leer in 1986 at their Raglan Street, Preston facility, where I worked on pulp moulded products and foamed polystyrene extrusion and thermoforming.
Q A
. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
In 2005 I joined Amcor as part of the Polyethylene Films group, where I have had the great opportunity to be able to learn the detailed technology of flexible packaging. Today I am very fortunate to be part of the Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific Team, as General Manager Technical Development for the Australian business as well being as the Sustainability Leader for Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific.
. I have been in the packaging industry since 1986. I have had roles across quality assurance, engineering, technical, operations, procurement and supply chain as well as R&D management in that time. In my early career at Van Leer I was very lucky to be chosen to be one of six engineers to be selected from around the world to participate in Van Leer’s management development program. Following this program I was assigned to various Van Leer facilities in England, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia in technical and engineering roles.
Q A
. WHAT ARE YOUR CORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE?
. WHAT DOES RECEIVING THE AIP FELLOWSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
In 1991 I joined ACI Plastics Packaging as Quality Systems Engineer in their PET bottle (Petalite) division. I was fortunate to move quickly into the role of Technical Manager in 1992, and was soon learning the art of PET bottle design.
Q A
. The receiving of the AIP Fellowship has been significant to me, and I am very honoured to be recognised by my peers in this way. I have been very fortunate to have had colleagues and mentors that have guided my career through their invaluable knowledge and skills.
In 1996 I decided on a career change into FMCG, and was the Manufacturing Manager for Mattel Toys in Australia. In 1999 I returned to ACI Plastics Packaging as Technical Manager for the Beverage Division and became their General Manager of Technology in 2002.
. My core areas of expertise would be a polymers and their chemistry, biopolymers, rigid plastics, flexible plastics and packaging sustainability, with a strong focus on new product development and the management of product innovation.
There are fantastic opportunities in the packaging industry and I hope that I may in some way continue to assist such sharing of knowledge and skills through the AIP.
NEW MEMBERS The AIP would like to welcome the following new Members...
David Kilpatrick Claudia Rinaldi
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Member Associate
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
WA NSW
Gavin Hughes Ron Sherring
Associate Member
NSW NSW
AIP EDUCATES GLAXOSMITHKLINE IN KUALA LUMPUR
GlaxoSmithKline Packaging Seminar Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia June 2013
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laxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Area Packaging Director, Charlie Champion, assembled some of his team members from Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Malaysia and Australia for a three-day packaging seminar held in Kuala Lumpur from 4-6 June 2013. Among the highly trained and educated team members was AIP’s own Stewart Jackson from GSK Sydney. Once the introductions were out of the way on day one, training got underway with a quiz that proved to the lecturer, Pierre Pienaar, that he was going to be dealing with extensive knowledge in the seminar room. Lecture topics included Packaging Planning, Business Aspects of Packaging and Environment along with a specific focus on Pharmaceutical Packaging and Packaging Practices and Specifications. Towards the end of day one team members split into two groups, gowned up and entered the adjoining manufacturing and packing facility for the first of the very effective and successful gembas held as part of the seminar. Half the team attended the Blister Packaging gemba whilst others joined the Sachet Packaging gemba. Going to these respective gembas produced a steady flow of questions from all seminar participants. Day two kicked off with some more quizzes to ensure all team members were comfortable with the content of the previous day. On this day Pierre addressed the various packaging materials used in Pharmaceutical Packaging as well as Supply Chain aspects along with Stability Testing and ended with Packaging Machinery before a further gemba was attended in the factory, this time on sachet packaging and all it entails. Day three started with the obligatory questions; not only to keep participants on their toes but to instil confidence as they realised how much material they had covered and how much new knowledge had been gained.
More materials were discussed before moving on to Anti-counterfeit Packaging, Active and Intelligent Packaging and later Adhesives, Labels and Labelling as well as Decoration Options. The seminar ended on the topic that is on all pharmaceutical companies’ minds, that of Tamper Evident Packaging and the future of Packaging in Pharmaceuticals. Numerous problems from the various GSK facilities in the different countries were discussed and potential solutions found. This focused discussion forum all team members found stimulating and encouraging. The reports on the gembas were discussed and this exercise was found to be most interesting as each member saw the operation and packaging from a different perspective; proving the worth of a gemba which has as its main function the observation of reality first hand i.e. seeing for yourself what goes on in the factory in a particular area. Comments were plenty and Randev Gunasinghe had his hands full in chairing the session. Stewart Jackson chaired the session on finding solutions to particular issues in relation to cost saving measures. The team members soon learned the art of problem solving and applied that which the new knowledge they had gained over the three days. Charlie Champion closed the seminar by summarising the following elements gained in the three days: new theoretical knowledge, problem solving skills, practical application, the power of team work and technical knowledge. He then laid out the future direction and obtained commitments from all team members as to how they would apply their new learning and in what time frame. Charlie Champion and Stewart Jackson are to be commended for pursuing and obtaining approval to run such an effective, important event ; tailored specifically to Pharmaceutical Packaging and GSK’s needs, in particular.
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
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FOOD, FINANCE AND FINGS! Written by Michael B Halley FAIP
Turning to the domestic situation we heard that many high value projects (instance AUD$2 billion for new Adelaide hospital) are committed but there are a limited number of such domestic building projects. There is a squeeze on household spending and debt to income is still high. This belies the spin that Governments say about the local economy. The long time to the election is draining business confidence but there is no doubt that the winner will be poor.
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David de Garis, Nim Smyth and and Tanya Barden
enerally the theme of a meeting is around one discipline but when eminent presenters come to discuss the 'Outlook for Australian Business after the Resources Boom' and the 'Future of Packaging White Paper' a whole gamut of topics comes under consideration. David de Garis, Director and Senior Economist, National Australia Bank (NAB) and Tanya Barden, Director of Sustainability, Trade and Innovation at Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), were the two experts who delivered many thought provoking snippets. David de Garis said at the very start of his address 'we live in interesting times' and then went onto openly address the changing landscape in the resources industry and the political arena. He noted quickly changing sands over the past twelve months in the mining industry with the 'red hand' of down-down being prominent over the period. Many investments have been delayed or abandoned and only those infrastructure projects beyond tipping point will be completed. Easy to understand when the spot price for iron ore has dropped by $79.00 a tonne but costs of production remain high. A projection is that mining profitability is below average and will remain so until Q3 of 2014. Coal companies’ striving to maintain a reasonable return on investments (ROI), are cutting staff and also like their counterparts in iron ore and other resources are shutting marginal production sites and advising of profit downgrades. But all is not written in red ink! The Chinese economy is maturing but the changed socio-economic delivers some positive outlooks for Australian industries that can fill the demand. Wine, meat and dairy products are growing unabated with 25 million new customers, but all are commodities where global competition for the markets is severe.
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AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
Housing affordability is still difficult and there is little demand for commercial properties. An unconsidered import was uncovered when David discussed the Australian dollar. Because Japan and USA have been printing money in what is called quantitative easing the rate of exchange has fluctuated wildly. Mr de Garis declared it to be a 'volatile beast' that is expected to drop to 94 cents against the US$. Some discussion arose about the export of LNG and the impact on Australian Industry. America will become more competitive when LNG ships can pass through the Panama Canal but support for home manufacturing was uncovered. In USA industry pays a quarter of the price paid by Asian customers but although price comparisons were not discussed it is considered that our local gas prices could in an oft used term be classed as 'gouging'. The assistance to Australian manufacturing is solely in the hands of the Government regulators. America is now able to compete against Asia and Mexico for manufacturing. The positive for packaging companies lies with transport both domestic and export as all unitised commodities need to be packaged before they can be transported. The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) is the leading national organisation representing Australian food, drink and grocery manufacturing industry. The membership of AFGC comprises more than 150 companies, subsidiaries and associates which constitutes in the order of 80 per cent of the gross dollar value of the processed food, beverage and grocery products sectors. With an annual turnover in the 2010-11 financial year of $110 billion, Australian food and grocery manufacturing industry makes a substantial contribution to the Australian economy and is vital to the nation’s future prosperity. But the stories told by Tanya Barden were far from rosy. On the day that a major food canning operator was considering closure which follows on a number of others recently the word tough did not go unnoticed.
FOOD, FINANCE AND FINGS! cont... Written by Michael B Halley FAIP
Coincidentally gas prices are a major issue for manufacturers and although only seven companies are eligible to pay the carbon tax there is no ability to pass on the additional costs. Cost of water and waste disposal are also high impact inputs. Add to this severe retail competition, which is squeezing supplier margins and increased import competition. AFGC acknowledges that the retail conditions are tough but champions local clean and green food processed and packaged here. AFGC has made a submission on the Packaging Impacts Decision Regulation Impact Statement (PIDRIS). The AFGC is a member of the National Packaging Covenant Industry Association (NPCIA) and accordingly is supportive of their submission on this issue. The thrust of PIDRIS is to further regulate packaging and littering which places AFGC in the ring against consumer activists and the often unbelievable decisions by Government committees. (David de Garis mentioned the live cattle export debacle) The proponent of scrapping or weakening the APC and introducing nationwide Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) is a major battle to be fought. Another option being considered by governments would involve keeping the APC but significantly increasing industry contributions to $40- $50 million – yet another impost in tough economic times! AFGC is working hard to get all member companies to sign onto APC and increase the percentage of recycling. But the battle is being fought in tandem with changing society demand and Government requirements, which as
expected; are not the same in every state of this federation! Tanya delayed her travel to the AIP meeting, as earlier AFGC, Coles and the RED Group launched a soft plastics recycling program in Canberra on World Environment Day. RED Group programs are well known to AIP members as we have supported Director Liz Kasell and the recycling company Replas. The RED Program is a true product stewardship model where everyone involved in the life cycle of a product, including manufacturers, distributors and consumers have a responsibility for that product throughout its entire life cycle, including its end-of-life outcome. Many other positive programs are in train at AFGC and are detailed on the organisation’s web site. David de Garis told us that finance is a volatile beast but was cautious about Government involvement however Tanya left us with the thought 'Governments will withdraw from funding but increase the impost on industry'. The evening came to a close with a spirited question time where Government policies and manipulation of statistics was vocally advanced. The major grocery retailers by price reductions on staples that are part of the Consumer Price Index assist the spin merchants at Canberra but not the manufacturers making those goods. Both presenters were thanked by Llew Stephens and gifted with a bottle of wine that will be one less exported to China.
AIP PARTNERS
Find out how your company can become a partner of the AIP by emailing info@aipack.com.au Untitled-1 1
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AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
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June 2013
tech speak
www.packagingnews.com.au
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Measuring•up•to•safety•standards having talked last month about the concept of “duty of care” and how this can impact on packaging and legal risk, sharon Givoni looks at the wider requirements for labelling standards on other common products.
W
hile most makers of hazardous items are probably familiar with the concept of “duty of care” for their packaging, just as important are the numerous labelling standards and warnings for common products on the market. In many cases, a product can be perfectly legal and fit for its purpose, but can still breach the law if the packaging and labelling does not comply with mandatory labelling standards. A handy tip is to always check if specific standards apply to your products even if
DOn’t let this be yOu some labelling warnings that were apparently used on products, at least according to the internet. ■ On a pack of Breath Savers: Not for weight control. ■ On Boot's ‘Children's’ cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery. ■ On Sainsbury's peanuts: Warning – Contains Nuts. ■ On a hair dryer: Do not use while sleeping. ■ On a Harry Potter wizard’s broom: This broom does not actually fly. ■ On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. ■ On many brands of Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only. ■ In a microwave oven manual: Do not use for drying pets.
you are only supplying the packaging. A few examples of mandatory product standards include: •• Aquatic•toys The mandatory standard for aquatic toys came into effect on 1 April 2010 and is the only mandatory standard for aquatic toys. It covers labelling for aquatic toys. •• Baby•dummies The mandatory standard for baby dummies came into effect on 20 October 2006. It covers requirements for design, construction and safety labelling. •• Baby•walkers This mandatory standard came into effect on 1 November 2002. It covers design, construction, performance and labelling requirements for baby walkers. •• Bean•bags The mandatory standard for bean bags came into effect on 28 October 1987 and was last amended 1 December 2004. It applies to bean bag covers and packages containing bean bag filling.
Other requirements
In addition to mandatory standards imposed by the Australian Consumer Law, some industries may be governed by their own legislation. In the areas of food and beverages, for example, packaging sold in Australia must be labelled in accordance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). Compliance with the Code is mandatory and in cases of non-compliance, penalties can arise. Mandatory warning labels on food generally need to be at least 3mm in size, with the exception of warning labels on small
packages (with a surface area of less than 100cm²) where they should be no smaller than 1.5mm. When it comes to cosmetic goods labelling, while the Australian Consumer Law imposes mandatory standards on cosmetics and toiletries, if a particular product (including a cosmetic) is described on the labelling or packaging as a product intended for “therapeutic use” this can mean that it is governed by the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, which is highly regulated. If products are intended for modifying a bodily process, or to prevent, diagnose or alleviate a disease, they could be assessed as therapeutic goods. For example, deodorant could be considered to be a therapeutic product if described on the packaging as an antiperspirant; or a pimple concealer could be classed as therapeutic if you describe it as a product that heals pimples. Care needs to be taken to classify the product correctly so you know what labelling laws and standards apply. ■ Disclaimer: This article is of a general nature only and must not relied on as a substitute for tailored legal advice suited to your individual circumstances.
Sharon Givoni is an intellectual property lawyer who has assisted packaging companies Australia-wide to ensure their packaging is compliant with the law. She can be contacted at sharon@iplegal.com.au.
THIS ARTICLE WAS RE-PRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM PKN
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AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
6/03/13 3:23 PM
Image: Thinkstock
PackagiNg
A global
perspective A
The seven international speakers who formed part of the recent World Packaging Conference at AUSPACK PLUS had some very valuable lessons to share with Australia’s packaging community. Ralph Moyle reports.
t AUSPACK PLUS 2013, the Australian Institute of Packaging conducted the National Technical Forum with the theme Global Packaging Trends. The seven international speakers were part of the World Packaging Conference, and are leaders in their fields, travelling all the way from the USA, Austria, Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa to share their packaging insights. The world cannot do without packaging. This was the core message from Tom Schneider (USA) – president of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The WPO provides a global advantage under its motto “Better quality of life through better packaging for more people” and Tom reminded the audience that we as packaging professionals are making a difference, but it starts with education. Jin Zhe (Jack) from the World Packaging Centre (China) spoke on the scale of the changes and future of the Chinese packaging industry. The value of the Chinese packaging industry was $248 billion in 2012, or 50 percent of the world’s output, and this
Speakers at this year's National Technical Forum Image: AIP
Our nearest neighbour has geographical challenges of 17,500 islands and 250 million people, which affect the required packaging formats to serve its culturally diverse people with the limited supply chain resources. The radically changing retail environment provides another dimension. Professor Narayan C. Saha represented the Indian Institute of Packaging and spoke on Economical, Social and Ecological Aspect of Packaging and Indian Market Potential. With a population 55 times that of
"The marketing strategy of a brand has to be materialised to consumers through its packages." continues to grow. Dr. Johannes Bergmair of the Austrian Packaging Institute presented Packaging and Food Safety on a Global Level, which was full of alerts to packaging and food technologists about risks to food safety. There is relevant legislation in many parts of the world but there is little cohesion between them and they are not complimentary. Global Trends in Packaging in Indonesia and Within the Region was the presentation from Ariana Susanti of the Indonesian Packaging Federation.
Australia, diverse food habits, economic growth rates of 6.9 percent, an emerging middle class and booming retail market, India has addressed its ecological aspects across the country. Government controls on certain packaging formats are being applied. Rural India, where 74 percent of the people reside, is the “challenge of distribution – the market for the future.” Luciana Pellegrino represented the Brazilian Packaging Association on the topic of Packaging as a Marketing Tool – Global Approach. The marketing strategy
of a brand has to be materialised to consumers through its packages, Luciana insisted. For consumers, packaging and product are one single element that cannot be disassociated. Luciana’s last and most telling comment was the impact that an online presence can have on influencing consumers’ buying decisions. Be online; be connected with the real world, she insisted. Keith Pearson provided the closing presentation on Discovering the Missing Link – Sustainable Advances in the Packaging Supply Chain, which was directed at all parties in the packaging industry, encouraging them to change the way they think and act. Food waste is becoming an increasing concern for consumers and industry members, with the former buying more than is needed and the latter often not packaging their products appropriately. Keith shed light on the implications of our growing waste, especially in regards to sustainability, with one third of global food production lost or wasted annually. His messages were simple: good packaging saves food; and recycling is not about removing waste but extending a material’s value and usability. A fine end to a global review of packaging.
44 Foodmagazine | June/July 2013 | www.foodmag.com.au
THIS ARTICLE WAS RE-PRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM FOODMAGAZINE
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
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>>> Transport and distribution
PACKAGING
On 26 April 1956, 58 truck bodies were hoisted onto an old tanker moored at Newark, New Jersey. The container revolution had arrived and five days later the tanker, Ideal-X, docked in Houston with its cargo, this time packed into the quasi containers. On land, rail rather than road had been preferred for shifting large volumes of goods. With the termini of rail networks located in cities and ports, manual handling was necessary as products were loaded into box cars. Meanwhile, on the roads, large vehicles were developed but they still involved manual handling. Historically, as early as 1885, rail in the USA had offered the opportunity to transport produce wagons to ferry landings opposite New York City. In the 1950s, flat-top rail wagons were used to ‘piggy back’ trailers as a means of transportation for long distances. However, all of these systems involved multiple handling and there was no standardisation to facilitate the various systems. Unit load concepts had been around for centuries with unitising items on a base and using a windlass to raise them, but in WW2 the pallet (and forklift truck) came to the fore. However, it was another war which saw this principle taken to the next step. The Vietnam War saw the introduction of a logistical approach with the setting up of the First Logistical Command and the introduction of ‘unitised packaging’. Previously the movement of materials and supplies had created bottlenecks and the port facilities were inadequate for the volume of traffic. Pallets were dumped at random on the docks, creating chaos. Containerisation was one answer; however, the military bureaucracy was divided over the concept. Finally, in 1966, following a visit by the Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara, the nexus was broken and in 1967, the shipping company Sea Land provided seven ships and the project got underway. This then was the genesis of containerisation and air transport absorbed the concept, thus unifying the distribution system. The container and the associated handling systems have not only revolutionised distribution, they have impacted on design, packaging material and reduced inventories. They have facilitated the rapid distribution of products from the producer to the retail shelf with minimal handling and savings in materials.
Air knife with staticeliminating ions Exair’s 54″ Super Ion Air Knife neutralises static electricity while blowing away dust and particulates from printed surfaces,
paper,IS plastics and three-dimensional WHO LOOKING AFTER YOUR PACKAGING DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY?
DO THEY NEED FORMAL PACKAGING QUALIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE?
shapes. The 54″ (1372 mm) wide laminar airstream, full of static eliminating ions, is effective at high speeds and provides cleaning up to 6.1 m away. Poor print quality, dust attraction, tearing, jamming and related equipment downtime may be reduced by using the air knife. Available from Compressed Air Australia, the air knife is efficient, using only 16.7 SCFM of compressed air at 5 PSIG to entrain high volumes of surrounding room air. An electrically powered static
Are you aware that the AIP can assist you with internationally control bar fills the uniform sheet of air accredited formal packaging training? with a high concentration of positive and negative ions. The laminar airstream Did you know that you can complete a Certificate in increases the surface exposure to the Packaging on-line in less than two years? ions, making it effective for high-speed
processes over long distances. Did you knowand the AIP can offer you an on-line Diploma in Force can be adjusted from a ‘blast’ Packaging Technology? to a ‘breeze’. The shockless design is
The AIP can also Recognized customise halfandday training courses just UL Component to US for your company. The courses Canadian safety standards, and powercan be delivered on-site to your marketing, supply production and technical supplies are CE and RoHS chain, compliant. staff There to promote a broad understanding of current and are no moving parts to wear out. potential pack formats that suit your manufacturing Applications include surface cleaning, equipment and processes. neutralising plastics, bag opening, pre-
paint dust removal, printing machinery, packaging operations and elimination of
Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM, FAIP info@aipack.com.au www.aipack.com.au
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May/June 2013
static electricity shocks. Many lengths,
ON-LINE up to 96″ (2438 mm), are available CERTIFICATE INTERNATIONALLY Compressed Air Australia Pty Ltd IN ACCREDITED Contact info and more items like this at PACKAGING wf.net.au/S849 COURSES www.foodprocessing.com.au
THIS ARTICLE WAS RE-PRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM WNIFT
10
AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
www.aipack.com.au
DIPLOMA IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY