Earlier this year, AMI hosted the Specialty Packaging Films Asia event at the Banyan Tree in Bangkok, continuing our tradition of serving as a pivotal platform for industry leaders. With so much "noise" around plastics, single-use plastics, mono-materials, flexible plastics, and flexible packaging, it was an honour to chair an event focused on how specialty packaging films are doing so much to improve our world, and to reduce food waste using minimal raw materials. The agenda was full of the latest technical innovations and was well received, with insightful presentations and sessions on key topics such as the latest trends and advancements in specialty film technologies, innovative materials, and circular economy strategies.

These sessions included presentations on successful partnerships and collaboration for recyclable mono-material specialty packaging films, traceability via materials management and holograms, new coating and converting technologies – all contributing to longer shelf-life of the products that our industry is trusted with protecting.

A highlight in any AMI event for me is a panel discussion, which I enjoy planning and moderating. At this event, the panel discussion featured valuable insights from representatives of PepsiCo, Henkel, Satyendra Packaging, and Starflex, addressing sustainability challenges and strategies for the circular economy – a significant challenge for food contact films. It is great to be part of a panel where the participants enjoy the subject as much as their moderator…

Notable speakers across the two days included:

• Sri Narayan-Sarathy from PepsiCo, presenting Pepsi’s ongoing development in new flexible materials
• Keane Owen from Henkel, sharing Henkel’s work towards mono-material packaging through new adhesive and coatings
• Chris Cheetham from Bobst, who shared the company’s developments in barrier and surface performance
• Muhammad Ali Mirza from IPAK, and Ashish Ghosh from Polyplex, two dynamic film manufacturers offering new sustainable and barrier film solutions. The presentations provided diverse perspectives but a strong emphasis was evident on collaboration and regulation across the two days.

With the different approaches to sustainability an overriding theme, it was encouraging to hear about the development across different polymer films and resins – PP, BOPA, bio-polymers, PHA, polyethylene – blown, MDO and BOPE. Despite these diverse approaches, it is clear that we all continue to invest in research and development to drive innovation and improve solutions further. This industry is willing to work together, and we see plenty of examples of companies doing this and the resulting film improvements and pack solutions. Mutual trust and open collaboration will be crucial for achieving future goals and overcoming the challenges that the industry faces, not least the lack of understanding by the general public of the value of plastics in achieving sustainability goals, both at company and government levels. This is why these events are so valuable – connections are made and success follows!

We are grateful for feedback from our attendees, including appreciation for the focus on practical solutions and regulatory impacts, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The event underscored the need for consumer education, enhancing collaboration, and adapting regulatory frameworks. We had other feedback highlighting the excellent organisation and impactful discussions that set a strong foundation for future events, so we hope to welcome back our previous delegates and invite them to share their experience with customers and suppliers. The event offers a crucial forum for connecting with industry leaders, gaining unique insights, and setting new benchmarks for excellence in Asian flexible packaging. Don't miss the chance to network, collaborate, and shape the industry's future.

I look forward to next year’s event!

Andrea Jenn, Consultant - Flexible Films
Email: andrea.jenn@amiplastics.com