Sunday, April 27, 2008 | 12:30pm - 1:00pm
ASSOCIATION UPDATE SESSION: Session Chairs: Mark Cisternino, Flexographic Technical Association
The opening session of the 2008 Annual Forum will literally set the stage for your Forum experience. Forum chair Scott Gilbert and Vice-chair Mark Mazur along with FTA/FFTA President Mark Cisternino will provide a preview of the exciting, informative days ahead and how you can maximize your Forum & INFO*FLEX experience and help celebrate FTA’s Golden Anniversary! The Association Update will cover a brief look at the many relevant initiatives currently on FTA’s docket including the Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI), Technical Education Services Team (TEST), and the Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership. Just give us 20 quick minutes…we’ll wrap it all up & have you on your way to the ever-popular Prepress Session before you know it!

Sunday, April 27, 2008 | 1:00pm -2:00pm
OPENING SESSION SESSION: -- Jackie Pflug
We all face adversity and challenge, whether it be from the ever-changing business climate of the flexographic industry, or from the growing demands our customers place on us, or from our personal relationships with friends, family and colleagues. A guest on the Oprah Show twice, Jackie Pflug has reached thousands with her message of how we can all become peak performers through our attitude and our reaction to adversity and challenge. Be sure to attend Forum 2008’s Opening Session and hear Jackie’s inspiring and motivational story… “On Thanksgiving weekend in November of 1985, I was flying to Cairo, Egypt from Athens, Greece, where I had attended a volleyball tournament with a group of students. At the time, I was a special education teacher at the Cairo American School. Ten minutes into EgyptAir Flight #648, three terrorists, calling themselves "The Egypt Revolution," hijacked our flight. A gun battle ensued as the terrorists took control of the flight at an altitude of 35,000 feet. We were forced to land in Valetta, Malta. The terrorists began to execute one passenger every 15 minutes until their demands for fuel were met. Like four passengers before me, I was shot at point blank range, execution style, thrown from the plane onto the tarmac and left for dead. For five hours, I drifted in and out of consciousness until an airport grounds crew retrieved my body on its way to the morgue. Fifty-nine passengers died during the ordeal. I lived. Over the years, I have had to adapt to the effects of being shot in the head and the resulting brain injury, which includes impaired vision and a loss of short-term memory. Fortunately, I see things differently today. This experience has opened my eyes to all of those obstacles that consume us in our lives and careers. If I have learned anything, it's that we must look beyond those obstacles that get in our way and focus on what really matters. The people in your life are critical to your success, both personally and professionally. Each of us makes choices daily to be happy or sad, positive or negative. Choose wisely."

Sunday, April 27, 2008 | 2:00pm - 5:30pm
PREPRESS SESSION: Session Chairs: Po Cheung, Smurfit-MBI; and Gerry Sondej, SCI
Prepress and plate making technologies have advanced dramatically over the last ten years.  Despite these changes converters still continue to face old and new challenges such as: ever shortening lead times; educating print buyers as digital proofing becomes mainstream; increased customer expectations; achieving color on press as quickly as possible; and waste reduction. Further to these real life issues there are opportunities that beg the question: should converters be considering in-house prepress and plate making? If so, where to invest amongst the new and existing technologies and what is on the horizon? The session will conclude with information on how these latest advances aid flexo in the reduction of our carbon footprint.
CTP & Plate Processing: Getting Your Money’s Worth The technology of flexo prepress has advanced dramatically over the last ten years; having progressed well beyond simply imaging a piece of film and then exposing and processing a plate. Today’s flexographer can choose from a host of sophisticated computer to plate imaging and plate processing options. This presentation will overview the current imaging and plate systems in order to help flexographers to identify the factors that matter to their business. -- Ray Bodwell, DuPont Imaging Technologies Digital Prepress Workflow: Where is the Value for the Printer/Converter? As the demands for quality have increased, the use of digital plates has also increased; but as a printer/converter, how do you rationalize the investment of making those plates in house? Learn the ROI benefits of a digital prepress workflow (productivity, quality) from image setter, software and platemaking perspective. You can increase quality AND profits with a digital prepress workflow. -- Tom Cassano, MacDermid Printing Solutions A New Look at an Old Topic: Prepress Curves & Quality Control A new approach to prepress curves enables a far simpler and more accurate way to match curves to printing conditions. This curve system can be used with or without plate curves for maximum flexibility. When used in conjunction with color management, more accurate ICC profile can be made, and adjustments for most changes in printing conditions can be made through curves, instead of re-profiling the press. -- Mark Samworth, EskoArtwork Ink Jet Proofing for Flexo in 2008: Quality, Cost and Integration In the past, proof requirements for flexographic printing have been the domain of just a few players. The requirements were tough, the substrates challenging and the (white) ink features a must. This session will focus on how ink jet proofing can be used to address the most critical needs of the flexo printer today. -- Richard Black, All Printing Resources, Inc. Direct Engraving This presentation will discuss how direct engraving is rapidly changing, offering new options in workflow and productivity to the printer and their customers. The options for sleeve production, imaging and end application will be presented. It will highlight leading technologies and issues to consider for those interested in this growing technology and opening up new doors to flexo. -- Dieter Niederstadt, Asahi Photoproducts The Effect of Flexo Prepress Technology on Sustainability -- Ian Hole, EskoArtwork

Monday, April 28, 2008
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SESSION: Session Chairs: Dave McConnon, The Meyers Printing Companies, Inc.
Over the years, printers and converters have been faced with many tough questions. How do we best meet our customers’ needs and expectations? How do we handle capacity and capability concerns? The answers to these questions are even more critical in today’s competitive business environment, so the need to make fact or data-based decisions is crucial. In this session we’ll explore some of these tough questions and will take a look at some of the models, tools, and technology that are available to help you come up with sound answers. At the end of the day, we hope you’ll be better armed to make these and other tough business decisions.
Automate Processes & Improve Data Accuracy with ERP/MIS Software for the Packaging Industry Selecting and implementing an ERP/MIS system in a packaging environment is a large undertaking that can drive substantial benefits such as streamlining business operations, responding more rapidly to customer needs and providing immediate access to critical business information. In this informative session an ERP/MIS systems expert, with extensive experience in the packaging segment, will provide an overview of ERP/MIS software for packaging. The benefits that can be achieved, and what to look for when considering a system, will also be covered. -- Glyn Slack, Radius Solutions, Inc. The Science of Global Optimization: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Profit Potential in a Changing and Challenging Economy The Science of Global Optimization investigates the role of Internet-based tools, dynamic scheduling and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) for printing businesses. This interactive session will look at the potential of IT to grow profitability from your existing work presenting case studies, customer interviews and a roadmap to guide you forward. -- Udi Arieli, EFI Unveil Customer Expectations & Make it Easier for Your Business Do you know what your customer is looking for? Do you know what the expectations are? Are you sure? This 30-minute session will give you the right tools to improve internal and external communication to achieve successful results. -- Diego Lanchuske, Mid-West Packaging – Creative Services Identifying the Most Appropriate Solutions to Upgrade Capability & Increase Capacity Converters frequently have business opportunities that cannot be met given their existing process capability and production capacity limitations. There are several avenues available to the converter to meet these needs, including new or used equipment, retrofits/rebuilds of existing equipment, and outsourcing. However, the best solution should be chosen given the converters short and long term goals. We will review the many options available to the converter and provide some guidelines regarding which solution is most appropriate given their ultimate objective. -- Jeff Feltz, Mark Andy, Inc. Will You Still Love Me in the Morning! Will you love me in the morning deals with the trials and tribulations of moving into combination printing – something we are seeing more of these days based on today's flexible servo driven narrow web and growing wider press platforms able to handle all print processes in one pass. How do you meet your customers needs and expectations – and as a result will your customer love your in the morning when you deliver what you have committed to in terms of a combination designed job design critical to a new product launch? Learn the basics of fit and purpose for combining print processes – and some do's and don'ts that could spell the difference between success and failure for you and for your customer. -- Denny McGee, MPS America, LLC

Monday, April 28, 2008
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES SESSION: Session Chairs: Jason Barrier, Printpack, Inc.
Much of the strength and growth of the flexo industry can be attributed to the successful implementation of emerging technologies. Over the last 50 years, these advances have greatly improved our ability to help consumer product companies deliver high quality products to market faster than ever before. Continued adaptation of innovative products and methodologies will be essential for flexography’s success in the year’s to come. This session will identify the latest developments in the areas of digital imaging and plate surface textures as well describe the systematic approach two major industry suppliers have taken in developing a flexo solution which offers both sustainability and productivity benefits. In addition, we’ll explore two potentially less known approaches for packaging applications, digital printing and 3D rendering software, designed to compliment flexography’s capabilities and enhance speed to market and customization. Last but certainly not least, we’ll hear first hand the unique challenges facing a large CPG in today’s competitive environment.
Direct Write Imaging Technology Hear latest developments of a true computer-to-plate imaging solution. This new technology reduces the energy required for imaging by a factor of 40 from current digital mask imaging, and by a factor of 5000 from that required for direct engraving. In addition, the technology has demonstrated the capability to achieve imaging rates double that of current mask ablation techniques. -- Timothy Gotsick, MacDermid Printing Solutions Impact of Surface Structure on Flexographic Print Properties Recent developments in flexographic plate technologies include textured surface structures. What are these structures and what can they do for your print job? What advantages do they offer over traditional 'flat' printing surface photopolymer plates? We'll explore these issues and the impact of surface topology on print properties. -- John S. Locke, Ph.D., DuPont Imaging Technologies Taking the Next Step in Flexographic Printing The introduction of sustainable packaging solutions is critically important to the continued advancement of our industry. This presentation will describe a collaborative development effort by two major suppliers to design a sustainable flexo printing solution that reduces the environmental footprint while improving overall performance in the pressroom. -- Rick Marsh, DuPont Imaging Technologies; Bob Mullen, Sun Chemical Corp. 3D Visualization and Flexible Packaging We all want to communicate our packaging ideas with great 3D graphics. Sure that is going to happen eventually in the development cycle, but today it is simply not cost-effective. Alternatives to finished product by which a virtual mockup is generated requires hours of image retouching, complicated 3D software and special viewing tools. Or does it... ? -- Kris Van Bael, EskoArtwork Digital Printing for Flexible Packaging: The Perfect Solution for Today’s Challenges The Flexible Packaging industry faces many challenges: increasingly shorter run lengths, an increasing number of SKU’s, and ever-changing designs. This presentation will offer a potential solution for some of these challenges, and hope for meeting other items on the CPC’s wish list – Digital Printing of Flexible Packaging applications! Come and discover how Digital Printing can offer help for your traditional Flexographic operation. -- Ed Dedman, Hewlett-Packard Company What do CPGs need from the Flexo Industry? Today's world is all about new channels, more customization, unique offerings, quick market tests, speed-to-market, and evolutionary products for new uses and new occasions. Learn what General Mills needs from their prepress and printing partners to create a nimble environment for our premium brands without compromising quality in a private label battleground. -- Gail Wong, General Mills, Inc.

Monday, April 28, 2008
FLEXO 101 SESSION: Session Chairs: Dan Collins, Pliant Corp.
Has flexographic printing changed in the last fifty years? You betcha!! Flexographic printing is continuously evolving to satisfy market demands. Quality, throughput and efficiency are essential elements to succeed in this evolving market. In this session we will discuss some of the basic components of flexographic printing, how the technologies have evolved, and focus on optimization.
Optimizing Plate Mounting Tape Performance for Print Quality & Productivity The role of the mounting tape extends well beyond the walls of the mounting room. Variables in the printing process can have an impact on the performance of the tape. Understanding and managing those variables is essential to optimizing performance. This presentation will examine key variables of the flexo process and will use data to show the impact of these variables on surface energy, tape adhesion and ultimately productivity. We will review techniques to maintain consistency in the process to optimize performance for print quality and productivity. -- Ann Michaud, 3M Evolution of Printing Inks & Future Demands The demand for the versatility requirements of ink products and suppliers has progressed dramatically over the past ten years. Along with the printers' needs for more robust products; the ink provider has also needed to move in unison to meet the end use requirements. It's the facets of not only the printer, but their service providers together that, collectively, meets the customer's needs. You’ll learn about: improvements in marketing graphics; new packaging such as the growing retort and microwavable products; changes in the selections in resins based on past and current packaging needs; cost impacts on manufacture and raw materials and more. -- Carl Hartz, Flint Group The Ink Metering System: Anilox Rollers and Doctor Blades The goal of the ink metering system is to deliver a uniform and predictable ink film for consistent color and print quality. With increasing productivity and quality demands, it becomes critical that the metering systems is optimized and in control for your print and press requirements as you will learn from a converter who will share their experience as they went from downtime and press side challenges to productivity by getting back to the basics and measuring the process. The critical elements of the anilox roller and doctor blade metering systems and how they interact will be covered to maximize anilox roller and doctor blade life and press uptime based on real pressroom experiences. -- Donnie Gramlich, Smurfit-Stone Preprint; Jean Jackson, Allison Systems Corporation Color Communication in the Digital Age Accurate color communication starts with a good color specification. If a color is specified in a digital format it can be passed down the supply chain and used around the world with no change, keeping the integrity of the original design. The CxF (Color eXchange Format) allows global communication with unmatched accuracy across various instruments and software applications. The presentation will include a live demo of a CxF workflow. -- Brian Ashe, X-Rite, Inc. The Modern Flexo Plate Customer demands for quality and productivity have changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Along with that, plate suppliers have had to make significant changes to meet those demands. Find out what has changed with respect to choices of durometer, gauge, size, in-the-round and run length. How have regional differences changed? How has the ability of just-in-time platemaking affected these choices? What are the critical quality aspects of the flexo plate? What do you need in your plate to keep you competitive in today’s rapidly evolving industry? As you would expect, the modern flexo plate not only holds very fine dots but answers these very important questions. -- Al Bowers, R.R. Donnelley The Relationship of Doctor Blade Contact Angle to Blade Vibration This presentation will take the attendee through a brief history of where Flexographic anilox ink metering started and where its evolution has taken it. Doctor bladed ink metering has a geometric and mechanical relationship with the anilox roll. But few people understand what the blade is actually doing. I will explain terms that are used in describing these relationships. These terms will include set-angle, contact angle, contact patch, affects of loading pressure, and the nature of the doctor blade material and so on. However many of you have heard all this before. But what angle meters the best with the less vibration and how does the finish of the anilox roller affect the metering process? Does the metering blade and containment blade need the same contact angle? This presentation will give attendees an understanding of the metering process and how each variable contributes to the metering process. -- Tony Donato, Harper Corporation of America

Monday, April 28, 2008
NEWSPAPER PART I SESSION: Session Chairs: Bill Wagenbaur, The Wichita Eagle; and Jean Jackson, Allison Systems Corp.
The FTA Forum sees the return of the flexo newspapers. After years of slow growth and challenging market conditions, the flexo newspapers are seeing growth and new technologies. Get an update on the newest press installations along with the viewpoints of newspapers that have chosen to go flexo and the benefits that it brings them. As an industry where speed to market is hours, the new developments of high speed CTP and a new thin plate supplier will be discussed by the suppliers and the newspapers working with the them. New options for handling the plate and ink washwater will be introduced in this opening session. We will close with the impacts and implications of sustainability and "green" printing in the newspaper market as it relates to energy usage and recycling from an industry and newspaper printers perspective.
Who is FTA? For 50 years, the FTA has been serving the many diverse segments of the flexo printing & converting industry. Through its wide ranging programs, services and research FTA has continued to make the flexo industry strong. From education through TEST to specifications through FIRST, come and learn what the FTA can do for your organization and what you can do to promote its mission going forward. -- Mark Cisternino, Flexographic Technical Association New Press Installation Update After many years of little or no growth, there is expansion with new flexo newspaper installations. Why chose flexo in an offset dominated market? Come hear from two papers why they chose flexo and the benefits they expect from the process. In addition, Cerutti will discuss what is new in press technology that lets you run night after night and do commercial work. -- Danielle Temporin, MacDermid Printing Solutions; Aaron Julian, Daily Hampshire Gazette Plate Panel – CTP & New Material What is new in plate technologies? After years of development with nightly plate needs pushing the speed requirements of digital plates, the technology has arrived and is running production.  Also get an update on a new plate supplier to the industry segment and new thinner plate technology. -- Thomas Hauser, MacDermid Printing Solutions Water Recovery Unit What are the options for production water waste as the cost and environmental demands push the industry? Come hear how to recover the plate wash water effectively and how to utilize the press wash water along with potential side benefits from these changes. -- Justin Green, Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.; Gary Cummings, Printink, Inc. Sustainability & Green Printing With the demands on sustainability and "greener" printing, the current status of the flexo newspaper will be discussed. What are the challenges of paper recycling and the benefits of the pressroom efficiencies from a flexo newspaper's perspective? The new Sustainable Green Printing Partnership which the FTA helped found will be covered and what it means to the printing industry. -- Frank Anthony, Chattanooga Times Free Press; Doreen Monteleone, Flexographic Technical Association

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
FASTER, BETTER, CHEAPER SESSION: Session Chairs: Jarrett Westman, Tetra Pak, Inc.; and Rick Mix, All Printing Resources, Inc.
Our customers clearly told us through the FTA CPC Scorecard to be Faster, Better, Cheaper!! Our internal Stakeholders tell us to be Faster, Better, Cheaper!! It is very easy to request, but how do we make it Faster, Better, Cheaper? Come hear industry experts share tools and techniques that will assist in this quest.
CTP Set-up & Plate Manufacturing Printers are continually installing their own CTP systems and accepting files from remote locations. In many situations the prepress company is making a portion of their plates and carries the existing library that needs to match when it comes off at the printer. Far too often these files don't image properly as the proper homework has not been done ahead of time to ensure success. -- Bob McVey, GMF Flexo Prepress Prepress Optimization Flexo printers today are facing many challenges including: shorter lead times, smaller order quantities, tighter registration, and improved safety. This presentation will discuss how providing improved throughput and increased quality via a computerized mounter and digital analyzer addresses these challenges. -- Roger Bostdorff, Leader Engineering Reducing Bounce- The Role of Stiffness As press speeds have increased, press bounce has become a more frequent problem, one which has prevented printers from achieving their productivity and efficiency goals. Various approaches can be taken to reduce press bounce including the use of foam tapes, cushion sleeves, low durometer urethane sleeves, and carbon mandrels. -- Mike Smoot, Xymid, LLC What Ink Technicians Know and No One Listens! In this session we will discuss how to correlate proofer drawdowns via volume comparison to press for color matching and the moving targets that the ink technician has to deal with everyday.  Topics that will be discussed are the affects of poor care & maintenance of anilox rollers.  How to standardize an anilox inventory and how to certify your existing inventory to stop the moving target that is causing increased downtime and color variation. -- Bill Poulson, Harper Corporation of America; Kurt Hudson, Water Ink Technologies Automation in the Pressroom Modern flexo press technology has a number of exciting new developments which continue the march toward more automation in the press room. Acceptance of these new technologies by press operators, however, is mixed. When does more automation make sense and when does it have the potential to impede on a skilled operator’s performance? Some practical examples from the field will be shared. -- Tom Jacques, North American Cerrutti Detecting & Managing Print Defect – Comparison of Strategies & Tools to Manage Print Quality This presentation will cover a number of challenging and fascinating questions on the subject of print inspection. This will include a comparison of different print defects and an examination of the nature of each, followed by a review of the two core camera technologies in use today - area scan and line scan technology – a review of the strengths and limitations of each and an assessment of the effectiveness of each for use on a press or re-winder. Finally the presentation will explore the core question of which strategy to employ - inspection on press (Print Process Management) or inspection on the re-winder (Quality Control), the advantages and disadvantages and impact of each strategy on waste reduction, productivity improvement, print quality and customer satisfaction. -- John Thome, BST Pro Mark

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
FIRST AND FQC SESSION: Session Chairs: Jean Engelke, Alcan Packaging
The FQC and industry suppliers have been actively working on research projects to document and improve the technical competency of the flexographic process. This session will present ways to apply the near neutral calibration process using G7 technology and use statistical analysis to document press performance; and conduct research to understand the phenomena of plate performance as it relates to composition and process variables. The presenters hail from both the academic and supplier realm.
A Holistic Approach to Tape & Plate Selection Choosing the right cushion mounting tape has almost always been difficult. This study shows how examining the properties of both plate and cushion as a single unit can lead to better prediction of on-press performance. Results from press trials show compressibility and resilience of the package correlates well to the resulting dot gain, solid ink density and uniformity. -- Brett Kilhenny, Rogers Corporation How to Measure Color on Film How often have you had to either measure or visually evaluate color on a printed film that’s either clear or translucent and faced the problem of what backing material to use? Like it or not, the optical properties of the chosen backing material can impact this greatly and lead to problems. Come hear the latest findings of the FQC committee that has researched this problem and come up with specifications and recommendations. -- Bill Pope, FFTA Press Bounce vs. Photopolymer Plate Durometer A common generator of waste material, loss of productivity and quality is press bounce, which directly affects solid ink densities and ultimately results in unacceptable print results. This presentation will provide a scientific approach to the possible combinations between mounting tapes and plate materials and its effectiveness in minimizing press bounce. -- Rodrigo Yamaguchi, MacDermid Printing Solutions G7 and the Near Neutral Calibration Process for Flexography Several key variables specified in the flexographic printing industry require an in-depth look to evaluate successful methods for achieving the G7 ideal near neutral calibration curve. Research at Clemson University tests the limitations and RIP curve structure of the minimum dot and highlight gain, substrate variability and compatibility, the ISO ink specification, tolerancing, and calibration techniques to ultimately understand how close flexo can come to matching the GRACoL 2006 ICC dataset. -- Jay Sperry, Clemson University Near Neutral/G7 Calibration: Ink & Substrates Tolerances Ink and substrate are essential to G7, the success or failure of the printed piece depends on those elements remaining within specification throughout the run.  But in an often-imperfect printing environment how forgiving are these tolerances? Is a G7 pressrun more 'tolerant" then an out of specification run in a "normal" workflow? Using Delta E and hue angle as a reference and a panel of viewers at what point does “out of spec” become objectionable to the consumer? -- Nona Woolbright, Clemson University Check-Up Procedure for Flexo Presses ATIF Check-Up Procedure for Flexo Presses describes a methodology for the technical evaluation of a flexographic printing system using a suitable Test Form and following ISO or other specifications. Obtained data will help users in checking the press before purchasing it, for further characterization purposes or for normal maintenance procedures. -- Stefano d'Andrea, ATIF

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NEWSPAPER PART II SESSION: Session Chairs: Bill Wagenbaur, The Wichita Eagle; and Jean Jackson, Allison Systems Corp.
How do you keep the presses running night after night and deliver predictable results? This session will cover color management and the implementation of G7 by a newspaper and the benefits they see as an flexo and offset printer. The pressroom challenges of ink metering systems will cover chamber retrofits and blade material tests along with what a new technology in cushion "blankets" can do for your printing challenges? This session will close with an open discussion of press room challenges and the sharing of solutions and innovations.
Metering System Update: Chambers & Blade Testing As the presses age, the doctor blade chambers are needing to be replaced and updated due to distortion and corrosion. KBA will talk about their latest chamber retrofit along with input from a newspaper that is using it. In addition, blade material tests and results will be covered as the industry revisits metal blades and the resulted "woodgrain" pattern that had resulted in the past and present. There are new developments and relationships to present. -- Helmut Schmidt, KBA North America, Inc.; Phil Dimes, Harmsworth Quays Printing; Jean Jackson, Allison Systems Corp New "Blanket" Material Some new backing materials for the industry that is giving longer life and less smutting. What is different in the design and how is it benefiting the industry?  -- Jeff Randazzo, Controlled Displacement Tech Color Management & G7 How do you implement G7 and color management in a pressroom and what are the benefits for a multi-site and multi-print process newspaper? From a commercial printer who needs to deliver brand color and graphics across the country hear the steps, challenges and the paybacks for their business and customers. -- Dave Merkley, American Color Print Web Width Reduction Web width reductions are one of the hottest trends in the newspaper industry. We will be discussing the planning and hundreds of tasks involved in reducing the size of a newspaper. Further discussion about the essential role vendors play in making the project a success. -- Cindy Trenary, The Wichita Eagle; Sten Nillson, The Witchita Eagle Open Forum & Discussion This will be a continuation of the day’s discussion along with discussing the challenges of the newspaper printers in today’s information market. Everyone is welcome to attend and share as the industry works towards best practice sharing both internally and externally. -- Bill Wagenbaur, The Wichita Eagle

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
SUSTAINABILITY SESSION: Session Chairs: Phyllis Kerr, Global Packaging
Fifty years of successes? Smog pollution controlled by electricity and natural gas -lead pollution controlled by low lead petrol - the thinning ozone layer being slowed by phasing out chlorofluorocarbons - acid rain being reduced by controlling air pollutant emissions…the list goes on. Are we there yet? Where does the printing industry go to do their part – to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?
The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership - Setting the Sustainability Pathway for the Printing & Graphic Communications Industry The importance of printing company's "environmental friendliness" has increased dramatically. The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership has been established to help guide printers down the sustainability pathway and recognize them for their efforts. A registry is planned that will identify companies that meet sustainability criteria and allow customers to identify "sustainable" printers. -- Doreen Monteleone, Flexographic Technical Association Defining & Communicating Flexography’s Sustainability With increased focus on sustainability across the packaging value chain, this session will cut through the clutter and define Flexography’s key environmental impacts. It will provide simple definitions, ways to think about your company’s environmental “footprint” and guidelines to communicate your sustainability position while avoiding “green washing.” -- Debbra Johnson, DuPont Imaging Technologies Sustainability Factors for Packaging Inks The developmental path to achieving sustainability has impacted and engaged every point in the packaging value chain. This presentation takes a closer look at the market drivers for sustainable packaging and how those drivers have changed the way we view packaging inks.  The challenges of application performance and desired environmental attributes are confronted and put in perspective. -- Martin Spatz, Sun Chemical North American Packaging Sustainability with Substrates This presentation will provide an overview of sustainability and the retailers (Wal-Mart) driving it. It will also present some insights about Bio-resins from a film converter’s point of view. Lastly attendees will learn more about the sustainable film solutions available today. -- Randy Scott, Pliant Corporation Solvent Recovery & Recycling -- Frank Belardo, Giant Recovery/Phoenix Env. Cube Utilization Sustainability is a multifaceted issue. It's not just about recycled content or trees saved. It's not just about what kind of inks you use, or how you dispose of them. It's not just about workplace safety or philanthropy in your community. It is ALL of these things and more. -- Charlie Black, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 | 9:30am - 11:00am
FIRST ROUNDTABLE MEETING SESSION: Session Chairs: 4.0 Edition Chairs/Co-chairs
Many consumer product companies have embraced the Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances (FIRST) guidelines and have used them for their own internal print specifications. Now that we have produced the much anticipated 4.0 Edition, you'll want to attend this meeting to find out how and where, on a global level, FIRST is being implemented, as well as the changes that were made. This meeting is open to everyone who wants to learn why Consumer Product Companies, printers and suppliers, are embracing FIRST and how companies can make the seamless transition towards implementing it.