The flexible packaging industry is undergoing tremendous change. We have an aging workforce with many approaching retirement, putting stress on companies to hire and train new people. At the same time, our technology is threatened by end-of-life challenges that are driving innovation in packaging materials, structures and technology.
The SPE Flexible Packaging Division is ideally suited to help with the transformation of our industry. Our scholarship program is attracting new talent to the industry. Over the past 8 years our division has given out over $50,000 to university students studying materials science or packaging technology. Our conferences and networking events are facilitating the exchange of technical information that advance technology development and innovation. We are busy planning our next flagship conference, FlexPackCon, which will take place in May 2025 in Rochester, NY. It will bring together industry experts on new materials, processes, recycling and sustainability. In addition, we are pleased to continue our partnership with the SPE International Polyolefins Conference, by organizing several sessions on flexible packaging at the 50th anniversary of the conference in 2025. Finally, we continue to help ensure SPE’s ANTEC conference is well represented with content important to our members.
It is an exciting time to be part of the flexible packaging industry. Change brings opportunities, especially for innovation leaders. Membership in SPE can help professionals become such leaders by learning about the trends impacting the industry, gaining knowledge of the latest advances in technology, and building a personal network with professionals throughout the industry that enable problem solving.
Barry Morris
Chair
SPE Flexible Packaging Division
Sept 22nd 2024