The Flexible Packaging Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) will hold FlexPackCon® with a focus on advancements in the circular economy and the flexible packaging industry.
Organizers say FlexPackCon® is a North American technical conference dedicated solely to flexible packaging and includes players along the value chain, including material and equipment manufacturers, film manufacturers and converters, packaged goods manufacturers, brand owners, and retailers. The event is being held from May 6 to 8, 2025, in Rochester, New York.
“This conference is renowned for its high standard of scientific content, but I believe we have struck a good balance between technical and regulatory presentations and information relevant to business development, so that all the stakeholders involved can benefit,” says Pierre Sarazin, FlexPackCon® chair.
Background
The conference is held every other year, as is the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry’s (TAPPI’s) FlexPack PLACE, so the goal is to run FlexPackCon® in the year that the TAPPI event does not run. In 2023, SPE FlexPackCon® included 42 presentations, six keynote speakers, and four additional tutorials.
“The key themes of the previous edition will continue to be very present this year: The industry is continuing to develop packaging that is more in line with the circular economy,” Sarazin says.
“The industry must always be on top of what’s going on, and innovation requires technical knowledge. We’re in the virtual age, but there’s still nothing like a real meeting to discuss technological breakthroughs.”
With receptions, coffee breaks, and lunches, there will be plenty of opportunity to meet and interact with key players across the value chain and have follow-up discussions with the speakers, he adds.
Sarazin also notes that the flexible packaging industry continues to “face many detractors who attack packaging indiscriminately.”
“A meeting like this provides an opportunity to take stock of technical advances and demonstrate how essential packaging is,” he adds.
Topics
Organizers have been collecting abstracts to consider for presentations and will do so through February 14, 2025. Individuals can visit here to submit an abstract for consideration, register, or to sponsor the event.
Organizers expect the conference will include discussions about flexible packaging sustainability and circularity such as mono-material packaging design to enable recyclability and the evolution of mechanical and advanced recycling.
Developments in materials for flexible packaging will include advances in polymers; new approaches to achieve barrier properties; additives, including processing aids; and biodegradable and bio-based materials.
Other topics will include:
- Improvements in film converting processes and equipment,
- Developments in packaging formats and equipment,
- Food and other product developments requiring new packaging concepts,
- New regulations affecting the industry,
- Packaging challenges along the supply chain,
- Improvements in performance and functionality of flexible packaging, and
- Advances in the science underlying flexible packaging technology.
Dan Felton, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), is expected to be among the keynote speakers.
“We are very grateful to have Dan Felton as one of our keynote speakers this year,” Sarazin says. “The actions of FPA are increasingly essential, and I believe that our conference is very complementary to FPA’s activities.”
In 2023, 187 people representing 120 companies attended the event in Montreal, Canada. Part of that success was due to the participation of companies from Quebec, Canada, that are active in the flexible packaging industry. Organizers say they expect similar participation from companies near Rochester, New York.
The conference, which is organized by volunteers, welcomes students who can network with companies. Sarazin notes that the spring event ends the day before the annual Rochester Lilac Festival being held from May 9 to 18, 2025, in Rochester, New York. For people interested in exploring the origins of photography and movies, there is the George Eastman Museum.
“Personally, I really enjoy the surrounding area and love to explore the wine trails of the Finger Lakes,” he says.
Editor’s note: In the feature image, participants chat during the 2023 FlexPackCon® in Montreal. FlexPackCon® will be held from May 6 to 8, 2025, in Rochester, New York.
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor of FlexPack VOICE®.