For more than 10 years, AMI's Multilayer Flexible Packaging conference and exhibition have brought together people from throughout the global supply chain, and this year will be no different.

The event will take place online from June 28-30, 2021. The virtual congress specific to the North American market is held over three days, from 11:30am EST, and covers the latest material and technological advances in films, raw materials, production techniques and applications that are setting the new standards for flexible packaging excellence.

Flexible packaging is a dynamic industry, undergoing significant public attention in recent years. The pressure is on for the flexible packaging industry to prove its value and contribution to society and the environment and demonstrate the huge technological advances being made in the industry to this end. Across the value chain, from brand-owner to crucial sealing technology, businesses are adapting to huge and often conflicting demands, weighing up sustainability and performance to hit the right balance of product protection and barrier, with optimum use of materials.

These drivers are explored during the three-day program with contributions from leading packaging converters such as ProAmpac and Amcor, whose presentations will discuss drivers for change in eCommerce, and in materials recovery.

Presentations will include:

• “HD-BOPE – an essential building block for recyclable packaging” – presented by Dr. Bronwyn Gillon, Application Development Scientist at NOVA Chemicals

• “Producing sustainable PO based barrier films with the Triple Bubble® Process” – presented by Adolfo Edgar, VP - Blown Film Systems - U.S. & Canada at Kuhne Anlagenbau 

• “PHA: Better end-of-life options for fast moving product packaging applications” – presented by Brad Rogers, Vice President Of Technology at Danimer Scientific

• “Finding value in multi-layer film recycling” – presented by Neil Gloger of NG Trading LLC

The speakers list also includes flexible film manufacturers such as Futamura and Terphane, and advanced materials suppliers such as ExxonMobil, Ingenia and Bostik.

Multilayer Flexible Packaging 2021 brings together representatives from across the supply chain, offering opportunities to network, learn about the latest developments and identify new opportunities in multilayer flexible packaging. 

To view the speakers and the full program, click here.   

For further information on attending or sponsoring this event, please contact Ms. Lorna Grey, Conference Organizer, on Tel: +1 610 478 0800 or Lorna.Grey@ami.international

According to AMI Consulting's latest report, published 17/05/2021, demand for single ply roofing membranes in Europe was sustained in 2020 by strong demand in Germany.

2020 was a year like no other. The construction industry had to navigate lockdowns, labour shortages, interruptions to materials supplies and acute social and economic uncertainty. As many projects were put on hold, the focus turned to completing buildings already under construction. Consumers, with reduced physical access to shops, went on-line for their purchases creating huge stresses and strains for the infrastructure and the buildings needed to deliver on-line purchases. Demand for logistics buildings capacity went through the roof. Elsewhere, consumers unable to socialise, unable to holiday, forced to work from home spent like never before on home improvements. On the other hand, owners of shops, offices and factories cut building expenditure sharply in 2020 partly to preserve cash and partly because of the challenges in organising building work.

In amongst all this turmoil, demand for roofing materials dropped sharply in the early months of 2020 before recovering strongly to end the year, only a little lower than 2019 as measured by demand for polymeric membranes. While roofing membrane demand fell in France, Italy and the UK, this was counterbalanced by growth in Germany.

Read the full press release here

The programme for the second edition of Chemical Recycling has been released. The conference will take place on 27-28 September 2021 at the InterContinental Hotel, Düsseldorf, Germany.

The two-day event will offer attendees the chance to update their knowledge on chemical recycling and fully understand the range of technologies, outputs, and concepts available as well as how they can help to meet local and national recycling targets.  

Key presentations include:

• “Chemical recycling and enabling policy environment: two keys to reach EU recycling targets” presented by Dr. Mohammad Hayatifar, Secretary General at Chemical Recycling Europe

• “Chemical Recycling: Challenges and solutions” presented by Jean-Christophe Lesguillier, Project Manager at The Alliance to End Plastic Waste

• “End-to-End value chain collaboration to enable chemical recycling” presented by Dr. Colin Kerr, Packaging Technology Director at Unilever

• “Transitioning towards a circular economy with advanced recycling technologies” presented by Inari Seppä, Innovation Director at Eastman Chemical Company

• “Chemical Recycling: Accelerating the transition into a circular economy for plastics” presented by Henk Pool, Innovation Manager at European Chemical Industry Council - CEFIC

Chemical recycling has in the last few years come to the fore as a tool to address the growing waste plastics problem due to its ability to handle what has previously been considered “difficult to recycle” plastics. It has garnered interest from across the industry, from petrochemical companies, waste management, machinery producers and brand owners. Many announcements of commitments to develop chemical recycling have been made, although high levels of investment, lengthy scale up processes and lack of supporting legislation have proved stumbling blocks to considerable advancement.

AMI’s Chemical Recycling 2021 conference will build on the knowledge gained in the 2020 virtual event, and further explore the challenges and opportunities in the chemical recycling market. Presentations will look at technologies, outlooks, regulations and how the industry must work together to close the loop and bring about a fully circular economy that includes chemical recycling as a major contributor to increase recycling rates and lower carbon emissions.

In addition to industry presentations, the conference includes opportunities for extended discussions and idea sharing. Delegates will be offered unrivalled opportunities to network, exchange experiences and learn through interaction with key representatives from all areas of the recycling value chain. This conference is a must-attend for anyone wishing to stay up to date on the latest developments in the dynamic market of chemical recycling.

The conference will be held two days before AMI’s Plastics Recycling World Expo, which takes place at the Messe Essen in Germany on 29-30 September 2021. This free exhibition will feature leading suppliers to plastics recyclers as well as exhibitors of materials, additives, and relevant services. It will be co-located with Compounding World Expo, Plastics Extrusion World Expo, and Polymer Testing World Expo.

By running the Chemical Recycling conference and AMI's plastics industry expos back-to-back, you will have access to a whole week of networking and knowledge sharing from industry professionals from across the whole recycling supply chain and more. 

See the full conference programme and book your place here. 

For further information on attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring this event, please contact Louella Osano, Conference Organiser on Tel: +44 117 314 8111 or Louella.Osano@ami.international

AMI Consulting have just published the new edition of its in-depth market report that analyses the use of polymeric materials in the European cables industry.

This niche but high value market saw an increase of 2.8% per year between 2016 and 2019. During this time, the problems suffered by the automotive sector offset the growth seen across other applications such as renewables or telecommunications. In 2020, the industry was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular during the first half of the year. However, the market has seen a strong beginning of 2021 and it is expected to reach pre-COVID levels despite the raw material sourcing issues faced across the supply chain early in the year. The future for cables in Europe looks bright as it is expected to grow at a faster rate between 2019 (pre-COVID levels) and 2025. Growth will be mainly driven by investment in infrastructure, construction and renewables.

Read the full press release

AMI and the Crain Global Polymer Group are launching a major American exhibition focused on the design and production of injection molded plastic parts and products. The first Injection Molding and Design Expo will take place on March 16-17, 2022 at the TCF Center (formerly the Cobo Center) in Detroit, Michigan, USA. It is backed by Crain’s Plastics News and AMI’s Injection World magazines.

The exhibition and its three focused conference theaters will be free to attend to ensure they attract a large audience of relevant specifiers and buyers from throughout the supply chain. Exhibitors that have already booked booths at the event include Wittmann Battenfeld, KraussMaffei, Tederic, Fast Heat, Mastip, Beaumont Technologies, Polykemi and Zeiger Industries.

Read the full press release here. 

AMI, 13^th April 2021 – According to the latest research from AMI Consulting, the USA and Mexico market for thermoplastic concentrates continues to be one of the most dynamic opportunities within the plastics industry.  Product demand is increasing in all product areas against a background of material advance. However, the real opportunity arises from technical changes in the market which necessitate more technically advanced products and services. 

Read the full press release here