BOBST joined an array of global specialists including Artemyn, Dow, Kuraray, MM Board & Paper, and Nestlé to present technical sessions at a crash course programme organised by Indian Pulp & Paper Technical Association (IPPTA) on Barrier Coating of Paper to Replace Single Use Plastics and Papermaking for Non-Paper Makers. The seminar was held in New Delhi, India.
Throughout the three-day event, presentations were given to a select number of representatives from paper mills and converters in India; the focus on barrier paper is due to the growing demand and interest in the region to move away from single use plastics to more sustainable paper packaging.
BOBST has over recent years focused on the development of sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand globally and has launched into the market the oneBARRIER family which includes a fibre-based solution developed in conjunction with industry partners. Being invited to speak at this event alongside big names in the industry cements BOBST’s position as experts in the creation of barrier solutions.
In his lecture titled ‘Principles of vacuum deposition for creation of functional barrier properties’, Nick Copeland, R&D Director – Barrier Solutions at Bobst Manchester Limited, focused on the process of reel to reel vacuum deposition for flexible packaging barrier applications to extend shelf life and how sustainability is by far the most significant market trend currently in the flexible packaging industry. He also covered how the market interest in barrier paper is increasing but that the inherent physical properties of the paper structures lead to challenges from a processability and performance perspective and he illustrated how these challenges can be overcome using a combination of wet and dry coating.
Commenting on the event, Copeland says that he was honoured to be asked to present a session at the event alongside other industry stalwarts and enjoyed presenting this important topic and meeting like-minded professionals. “I am pleased that there is growing interest in India in the topic of barrier paper,” he adds.
IPPTA was conceived by a very small group of enthusiastic professionals lead by V K Poddar in 1964. It is an association of professionals engaged in pulp, paper, board, newsprint, tissue, and allied industries in India and abroad. It has over 2,500 members and holds conferences, seminars, and workshops to bring the latest information and knowledge to its members.
