Highlights of the Program

2 days business program:

Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.

SHOWCASING INNOVATION:

Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.

leaders talk:

Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

MULTIPLE STREAMS:

A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.

SMART TECHNOLOGIES:

Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.

roundtable discussion:

Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.

Program

Day 1 :
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:00 - 09:10
OPENING ADDRESS
09:10 - 09:35
POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED BARRIER CHEMISTRIES: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR PACKAGING
Sampreetha Thampy
Kemira Water Solutions

Sampreetha Thampy

Kemira Water Solutions

  • Addressing the growing demand for renewable and sustainable packaging solutions
  • Advancing Kemira’s bio-based chemistries to support circular economy strategies
  • Blending starch with biopolymers for improved functionality and processability
  • Integrating material design with analytics for scalable and cost-efficient applications
09:35 - 09:40
Q&A SESSION ON APPLYING BIO-BASED POLYMERS IN PACKAGING CHEMISTRIES
09:40 - 10:05
NO PERSISTENT MICROPLASTICS: UNDERSTANDING HOW COMPOSTABLE POLYMERS BIODEGRADE
Jeanette Hanna
BASF

Jeanette Hanna

BASF

  • Introducing the basic biodegradation pathways of certified compostable polymers
  • Reviewing recent research that advances scientific understanding of polymer disintegration mechanisms
  • Presenting visual evidence from studies showing the influence of material geometry on disintegration rates
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON BIODEGRADATION BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSTABLE POLYMERS IN REAL-WORLD CONDITIONS
10:10 - 10:40
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
  • Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
  • Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
  • Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues ─ don't forget your business cards!
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON ADVANCING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY BY PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS
Speaker Image
  • Enabling an inclusive circular plastics economy through viable economic models, supportive policies, and equitable market incentives
  • Enzymatic PET recycling to enable sustainable resin production and broader, lower-purity feedstock recovery at commercial scale
  • Evaluating the promise, challenges, scale, and realistic role of advanced recycling in addressing global plastic waste
  • Plastics' circularity through equipment innovation, high-quality outputs, and strategic collaboration across recycling value chains
  • Challenges, supply chain readiness, and strategies to accelerate large‑scale bioplastics adoption for future sustainable growth

| Jacobs | Moderator

| Coherent Market Insights

| Birch Biosciences Inc.

| Resynergi

| Krones Recycling

| University of Georgia

11:30 - 11:55
CRITICAL EPR DEVELOPMENTS SHAPING THE U.S. LANDSCAPE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Jason Bergquist
RecycleMe

Jason Bergquist

RecycleMe

  • Tracing the evolution of EPR in the U.S. through case studies and foundational policy principles
  • Assessing current EPR adoption status across states and proposed legislative directions
  • Addressing implementation challenges, including political complexity and fragmentation in producer responsibilities
  • Adopting best practices and harmonization strategies to enhance the environmental impact of EPR programs
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING EFFECTIVE EPR FRAMEWORKS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
12:00 - 12:25
THE ROLE OF BIOBASED POLYETHYLENE IN A CIRCULAR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY
Gustavo Ferreira Lombardi
Braskem America

Gustavo Ferreira Lombardi

Braskem America

  • Accelerating circular carbon cycles by integrating renewable feedstocks into polymer value chains
  • Reducing emissions and defossilizing plastics while maintaining full recyclability in current systems
  • Delivering traceable, negative-carbon materials without compromising product performance or quality
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH BIOBASED PLASTICS
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 14:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON NAVIGATING PACKAGING REGULATIONS AND THE PLASTIC WASTE DIRECTIVE
Speaker ImageSpeaker ImageSpeaker Image
  • Meeting diverse packaging mandates while innovating design, aligning with EPR goals, and adapting to global regulatory influences
  • Supporting regulatory goals through efficient recycling technologies and modular systems amid diverging regional and global packaging standards
  • Best practices for companies to cut plastic waste while preparing for stricter packaging laws through transparency and collaboration
  • Legislative effectiveness and regulatory shortcomings in the context of evolving import bans and their implications for waste and polymer value chains
  • Leveraging chemical recycling and collaboration to meet EPR requirements, ensuring packaging compliance with evolving regulatory landscapes

| Titus MRF Services | Moderator

| WSP

| Krones Recycling

| RecycleMe

| Wood Mackenzie

| Smart Plastic Technologies

14:00 - 14:25
rPET SOURCING: FINDING SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIES FOR ACCELERATING DEMAND
Matt Slutzker
Wood Mackenzie

Matt Slutzker

Wood Mackenzie

  • Analyzing global PET collection growth, stagnation in the West, and changing trade patterns
  • Comparing regulatory targets with real-world sourcing challenges for vPET and rPET producers
  • Forecasting rPET pricing trends and circular economy impacts across key global regions
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON MARKET SHIFTS AND POLICY REALITIES IN rPET SUPPLY CHAINS
14:30 - 14:55
NAVIGATING THE RECYCLING REVOLUTION: NEXT-GENERATION MELT FILTRATION FOR BLOWN FILM
Casey O’Brien
Nordson

Casey O’Brien

Nordson

  • Looking at the challenges faced by blown film producers when using recycled polymers
  • Achieving stable, uninterrupted production through an advanced melt filtration system
  • Introducing innovations such as pressure-controlled venting and automated backflushing
  • Showcasing real-world applications achieving high throughput with recycled content
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON OVERCOMING FILTRATION BARRIERS IN BLOWN FILM RECYCLING
15:00 - 15:25
DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-BASED AND BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS FROM COTTON
Renuka Dhandapani
Cotton Incorporated

Renuka Dhandapani

Cotton Incorporated

  • Combining cotton waste with polymers to engineer biodegradable plastic film with strong UV resistance
  • Testing the field performance of bio-based film as an agricultural mulch and comparing its degradation to commercial alternatives
  • Creating a plant-derived vegan leather using cottonseed oil, and mimicking the texture and structure of real leather
  • Demonstrating the potential of cotton-based materials to support sustainability in both agriculture and consumer goods
15:25 - 15:30
Q&A SESSION ON BIO-BASED MATERIALS FROM COTTON FOR SUSTAINABLE APPLICATIONS
15:30 - 16:00
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
16:00 - 16:25
SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS: BIODEGRADABLE AND RECYCLED PLASTICS FOR A PACKAGING SOLUTION
Joseph Greene
California State University, Chico

Joseph Greene

California State University, Chico

  • Creating PHA plastics for true biodegradability in ocean, soil, and home compost environments
  • Conducting life cycle assessments of recycled plastics and biodegradable alternatives for bags and containers
  • Measuring biodegradation outcomes of marine debris made from PHA, PLA, cellulose, and polyethylene
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS AND BIODEGRADATION
16:30 - 16:55
PACKAGING MACHINERY FEATURES AND CONSIDERATIONS USING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Troy Snader
ProMach

Troy Snader

ProMach

  • Understanding how narrow sealing bandwidths affect packaging performance and consistency
  • Incorporating specialized machine features to maintain speed with flexible, sustainable materials
  • Adjusting sealing devices to accommodate variability in heat seal ranges
  • Managing material “stretch” through refined tension control and precision handling systems
16:55 - 17:00
Q&A SESSION ON ENGINEERING MACHINERY FOR NEW MATERIAL NEEDS
17:00 - 17:25
OPTIMIZING SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE THROUGH DIGITAL MARKETPLACES
Bailey Robin
Matium

Bailey Robin

Matium

  • Exploring how digital platforms are reshaping sustainable materials trading across supply chains
  • The role of Matium, a platform enabling verified, efficient, and traceable recycled plastics trade
  • Improving access to recycled feedstock and minimizing waste through intelligent sourcing tools
  • Driving circularity with real-time material data integration and automated transactions
17:25 - 17:30
Q&A SESSION ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRADE AND CIRCULARITY
17:30 - 17:55
SLEEVE LABELS: BALANCING MARKETING NEEDS WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Thomas Etien
Sleever

Thomas Etien

Sleever

  • Identifying innovative labeling solutions that align brand identity with sustainability objectives
  • Reducing label thickness to maintain production efficiency while minimizing material usage
  • Facilitating reuse and refill systems within circular economies through sleeve label applications
  • Recyclable sleeve label options compatible with various packaging materials and regulatory frameworks
17:55 - 18:00
Q&A SESSION ON SLEEVE LABELS FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
18:00 - 19:00
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
08:30 - 09:00
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:00 - 09:10
OPENING ADDRESS
09:10 - 09:35
FFS INNOVATION DRIVING SUSTAINABLE PET PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
Fabien Jego
Barry-Wehmiller

Fabien Jego

Barry-Wehmiller

  • Highlighting Synerlink’s role in delivering innovative FFS and rigid packaging solutions
  • Emphasizing collaborative efforts driving circular economy goals in PET sustainability
  • Tackling PET processing challenges while showcasing cutting-edge machine advancements
  • Shaping the future of material science through R&D to optimize rPET, PP, PE, and PLA applications
09:35 - 09:40
Q&A SESSION ON INNOVATIONS IN MATERIALS LIKE PP, PE, AND PLA
09:40 - 10:05
A SCALABLE FUTURE: AN ENGINEER’S PERSPECTIVE ON PLASTIC RECYCLING
Paul Martin
KraussMaffei

Paul Martin

KraussMaffei

  • Characterizing the role of extrusion systems in enabling scalable plastic waste solutions
  • Describing how extrusion converts plastic waste into usable polymer materials
  • Applications from lab-scale research to full-scale industrial recycling deployment
  • Engineering innovation as a catalyst for sustainable materials management
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON ENGINEERING IMPACT IN CIRCULAR MATERIALS DESIGN
10:10 - 10:35
MATERIAL FLOW AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF BIOBASED PLASTICS MANUFACTURING USING AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES
Apoorva Bademi
Purdue University

Apoorva Bademi

Purdue University

  • Mapping the availability and sourcing of agricultural residues for biobased plastics
  • Comparing material flow scenarios for conventional versus biobased plastic systems
  • Monitoring broader sustainability and economic impacts across the industry network
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON ASSESSING BIOBASED PLASTICS AND MATERIAL FLOW IMPACTS
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
FILM AND FLEXIBLE RECYCLING
Adam Peer
American Chemistry Council

Adam Peer

American Chemistry Council

  • Partnering across the supply chain to identify key barriers and enable progress in U.S. film recycling
  • Sharing results from a pilot study that improved access to recycled content through secondary recycling
  • Upcoming findings from a California project linked to SB 54 and recycling measurement frameworks
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVEMENTS IN FILM AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING RECYCLING
11:30 - 11:55
HOW DO YOU HIT A CRITICAL MASS THAT JUSTIFIES THE COST TO RECYCLE POST-CONSUMER PLASTICS?
Mike Centers
Titus MRF Services

Mike Centers

Titus MRF Services

  • Benchmarking virgin material pricing against post-consumer plastics
  • Meeting market demand by ensuring consistent, truckload-scale recycled supplies
  • Projecting how EPR policies are reshaping curbside collection and sorting systems
  • Finding the least-cost approach to recycling all curbside post-consumer plastics
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON STRATEGIES FOR SCALING POST-CONSUMER PLASTICS REUSE
12:00 - 12:25
WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE ON PLASTICS CIRCULARITY
Terra Miller-Cassman
Jacobs

Terra Miller-Cassman

Jacobs

  • Describing the critical role of waste management systems in enabling plastics circularity across industries
  • Outlining key challenges, including contamination, limited access to recycling markets and technology, and poor packaging design
  • Highlighting innovative strategies adopted by facilities to enhance plastics recovery and recycling outcomes
  • Assessing the impact of advanced recycling technologies and facility planning on system-wide efficiency
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON OPTIMAL STRATEGIES FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
12:30 - 12:55
THE OCEANS HARVEST UNLOCKING ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MARINE PRODUCTS
Renato Reis
PIEP

Renato Reis

PIEP

  • Innovative marine-based thermoplastics for automotive interiors to improve sustainability
  • Creating advanced sea-inspired fibers and fabrics to reduce fossil-based materials in apparel and footwear
  • Incorporating algae-derived dyes and finishes to replace synthetics and enhance textile functionality
  • Advancing textile waste treatment using microalgae to support circular and eco-friendly production
12:55 - 13:00
Q&A SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS USING MARINE RESOURCES
13:00 - 13:15
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
13:15 - 14:30
NETWORKING LUNCH

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