Experts from NNFCC and WRAP to speak at easyFairs ECOPACK

NNFCC and WRAP have announced details of their major involvement in the easyFairs ECOPACK show taking place at the NEC on 16 and 17 February 2011.

Experts from NNFCC, the UK’s national centre for renewable fuels, materials and technologies, have teamed-up with BPIF Cartons to run at least 15 learnShops spanning across the two-day event. NNFCC’s overall theme this year will be ‘how far we have come in bio-based packaging and how the end-of-life of these materials will change our perception of waste’, so here’s a glimpse of what’s in store.’

Dr. John Williams, Polymers and Materials Manager of the NNFCC says: "The drive towards sustainability is key in today’s market. A significant and growing part of the tool-kit used to deliver sustainability is to make more materials from non-fossil feedstocks. The aim of the NNFCC learnShops is to give both upcoming and actual market examples of these materials and to show how they are increasingly being valued in the supply chain."

Chris Selby, Regional Director at BPIF will open the first session with ‘Six of the Best’. This will entail six 10 minute presentations by members and sponsors of BPIF cartons providing details of recent new product launches with strong environmental benefits. Petra Tani, Director at Cycle4Green will be providing ‘details of the latest solution for recycling of backing paper for roll labels,’ whilst Henk Vooijs from Novamont will be discussing the ‘development of biopolymers in packaging.’

Another big player also involved with the NNFCC learnShops is FINAT. On day 1 Kurt Walker, Vice President of the Roll Label Manufacturing company will be reviewing ‘the European Label Industry and the contribution made by FINAT.’ Plus Jules LeJeune, Secretary of FINAT will be involved in a panel discussion on labels which will follow Kurt’s talk and which will be introduced by John Bamberry, Chairman of BPIF Labels.

On the second day, NNFCC learnShop highlights include Richard Danby from Vision who will be putting forward the idea that ‘Lean Manufacturing can lead to Green Manufacturing,’ whilst David Tozer (AFOR) and Neal Whipp (BPIF Cartons) will be talking about the ‘AFOR Home Composting launch’ and the ‘composting potential for cartons.’

Hot on the heels of NNFCC is WRAP, whose vision for the future is a ‘world without waste.’ WRAP will be running 8 learnShop seminars during the two days.

Andy Dawes, Head of Retail Programmes at WRAP, will unfold the first day with ‘Responsibility – deals facilitating change – the Courtauld Commitment.’ Sophie Easteal, the Food Waste Prevention Technical Manager at WRAP will be discussing ‘the role of packaging in reducing household food waste.’ Jenny Robinson will be explaining ‘the recycling challenges for local authorities’ and Greg Wood, Programme Manager at WRAP will complete the Day 1 programme by be looking at ‘Sustainable packaging – designing out waste.’

Greg comments: "Packaging plays a key role in preserving the integrity of a product. It gets products from the manufacturer to the retailer and finally to the consumer in a condition we expect, minimising breakage and safeguarding public health. Consumers want packaging which fulfils this important role.

He continues: "Here at WRAP we continue to work with retailers, brands and manufacturers to identify and implement changes that help to reduce the environmental impact of products including their packaging. So come along to our learnShops to find out how you can be part of the solution."

Greg will also be talking again on Day 2 in the WRAP learnShop theatre, along with Claire Shrewsbury who will be discussing ‘recycling films, laminate films and foils,’ plus John Sharman who will be talking about ‘engaging with the consumer through our partners using OPRL and Recycle now.’ Whilst Mike Robey will be presenting Andy Dawes’ presentation from Day 1 – ‘Responsibility – deals facilitating change – the Courtauld Commitment.’

easyFairs UK Managing Director, Matthew Benyon concludes: "We understand that sustainability is the ‘hot’ topic and with our ECOPACK 2011 show playing host to the latest developments in environmentally responsible packaging, we knew we had to bring back the environmental heavyweights – NNFCC and WRAP. This year’s learnShop line-up is set to get everyone talking ‘green’. It looks to be a very informative and exciting two days."