With the 2025 National Packaging Waste Target presenting one of the biggest challenges for business today, the packaging and processing industry is set to lead the way in sustainability.
“Sustainability will be a key focus on day one of the AUSPACK 2019 Business and Industry Conference,” said Mark Dingley, Chairman of the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA).
The two-day inaugural conference will be presented as part of Packaging and Processing Week 2019 in Melbourne next month.
Dr Michael Okoroafor, Vice President of Global Sustainability and Packaging Innovation at McCormick (US), will give the conference’s opening keynote presentation – an industry outlook on key insights driving the future of packaging for FMCG.
Dr Okoroafor, who was inducted into the Packaging and Processing Hall of Fame at last year’s PACK EXPO International, is an innovation leader with more than 40 patents to his name.
He’ll share his insights on using transformational packaging innovation and a re-aligned supply chain to drive FMCG industry growth.
Successful innovations transforming industry and society
Dr Okoroafor will also look at how sustainability needs will push the circular economy and shape innovations in the future for FMCG companies.
He will give some examples of successful innovations that are transforming not only the industry, but society as a whole.
Also at the conference, a panel of CEOs from leading Australian sustainability organisations will discuss what's good for the planet being good for business.
They will work through the opportunities surfacing from the 2025 National Packaging Waste Target.
The panel’s facilitator is Craig Reucassel, writer and presenter of ABC’s War on Waste.
Fellow panellists include Brooke Donnelly, CEO of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), Steve Lapidge, CEO of the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and Paul Klymenko, CEO of Planet Ark.
One of the biggest challenges in modern times
“It’s been said that the 2025 National Packaging Waste Target is giving industry one of the biggest challenges we’ve seen in modern times,” said Mr Dingley.
“However, it’s important to recognise that in every challenge there really is an opportunity, so this expert panel session will focus on the potential now in front of the packaging and processing industry to be a leader in sustainability,” he said.
“They’ll look at the role packaging has in minimising food waste, innovations as we both move away from single-use packaging and reduce food waste, plus the potential of the circular food economy. The implications for industry and for consumers of the 2025 National Packaging Waste Target will be an interesting discussion point for many too.”
Value in collaboration
Mr Dingley said there was much value to be gained from inter-organisation collaboration.
“Collaborating with others gives businesses an economy of scale and broadens their available skill sets to find solutions that they most likely just would not find by working on their own.
“The panel will talk about this, but because there are so many benefits around industry collaboration in achieving sustainability, it will be the sole focus of the keynote presentation following the panel discussion.”
The will concentrate on the value of industry collaboration in finding sustainable solutions.
It will examine how industry can work together to initially create sustainable solutions, then overarchingly to create a sustainable industry.
The AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, March 26-27, 2019.
To register, and for more information, visit: https://www.auspack.com.au/business-and-industry-conference/
