Sunday, May 3, 2009 | 1:00pm - 1:30pm
WELCOME & ASSOCIATION UPDATE SESSION: -- Colleen Larkin-Twomey, MacDermid Printing Solutions; Jean Engelke, Alcan Packaging; Mark Cisternino, Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)
In the opening session, you will learn how you can maximize your Forum & INFO*FLEX experience while navigating the future of flexo. You will also hear about the recent developments at FTA including information about TEST, SPI, FIRST and more!

Sunday, May 3, 2009 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm
FORUM KEYNOTE SESSION: Flexography: Surviving & Thriving in a Volatile Global Economy
Renowned “Global Guru” and Emory University Professor Jeff Rosensweig will kick-off Forum 2009 by portraying the "big picture”, the challenging environment we are doing business in, and comprising relevant trends in the economy, finance, and demographics. It is crucial to learn about the current forecasts, trends, and linkages driving the United States and global economy and financial markets. Demographic trends are useful in analyzing the potential labor force, customer base, and outsourcing issues. At this keynote, you will gain a better grasp of how such relevant trends intertwine, domestically and globally. The session has two goals. The first is to help you understand the broader forces that affect the industry and the second is to draw implications from this for your bottom line.

Sunday, May 3, 2009 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
FLEXO 'ROUND THE WORLD SESSION: Session Chairs: Mark Cisternino, FTA; Tony Dalleore, AFTA/MacDermid Printing Solutions
You know what? It’s true. It really is a small world after all! Flexographic technology and markets all over the globe have progressed at vastly different rates. In the past, state-of-the-art equipment and workflows that may have been commonplace on one continent, could very well have been out of reach elsewhere. All that has changed! With the proliferation of new technology, a worldwide highly-efficient communication & commerce network, and the CPC-driven trend toward a unification of packaging graphics quality standards, flexo markets ‘Round the World are embracing global technological advancements at an unprecedented rate. In this session, you will hear from a panel of international experts addressing technology & markets in Latin America, Europe, China, and Australia providing attendees with some valuable insight that will help to successfully Navigate the Future of Flexo!
Sustaining Success Through Personal Leadership The Procter & Gamble Co. has sustained success for 172 years. This is a story that starts with personal leadership and innovation and evolves into partnerships that together provide growth. Product Champions are the “engine to pull” big ideas into launch mode, particularly in such times of financial uncertainty. A proven Innovative approach and Win-Win partnerships are all part of Procter & Gamble’s global packaging strategy. -- Michael Ferrari, The Procter & Gamble Company (USA) Flexo Market & Technology Down Under In this presentation, the trends in each of the major flexographic market segments in the region will be reviewed. Specific markets such as narrow web, wide web, post print and preprint will be overviewed. Key players in each of these markets have been approached to give their opinions on how they see future developments within the industry impacting their business. -- Tony Dalleore, MacDermid Printing Solutions (Australia) European Perspective on Flexo Technology This presentation addresses existing and foreseeable trends in flexographic printing, as they are perceived by European flexographic printers. Aspects to be discussed are printing inks, press speeds and make-ready times, the strive for ever higher screen rulings, standardisation, multi-colour separations, new platemaking methods, new structures for anilox roller surfaces, self-adhesive print sleeves, environmental aspects and the relationship with other package printing processes. -- Dr. Martin Dreher, DFTA (Germany) The Latin American Converting Industry: Trends & 2009 Capital Investment Forecast Amidst the Current Economic Environment This presentation will discuss the historic growth trends of the Latin American converting industry, as well as the current state-of-mind of converters in the region based on a 2009 State of the Industry and Capital Investment Survey conducted in March ’09. The data will gauge the impact that the US recession has had across Latin America so far, and what actions converters are taking in regards to technology investment planned for 2009. -- Alfredo Domador, B2B Portales-Conversion Magazine & Portal (Latin America) Sleeve Technology & Global Market Trends Sleeves are an integral component of the modern flexo press and more emphasis should be placed on its value to the printing process. Flexo gains in South America and Asia are due to investment in new press technology and well analyzed auxiliary equipment purchases, something that Europe has practiced for a number of years. Sleeve manufacturers need to step up to the plate in assisting emerging markets, and this must begin with the owners and upper management – the soul of our companies. -- Felice Rossini, Rossini s.p.a. (Italy)

Monday, May 4, 2009 | 8:00am - 10:00am
PREPRESS SESSION: Session Chairs: Mark Coffman, Dixie Graphics; Randy Butler, Printpack, Inc.
This important 2-hour session will directly address critical packaging prepress issues. This session will have a panel featuring three consumer products company representatives and three prepress representatives. The panelists will begin the dialogue by discussing customer expectations and share their experiences with different substrates. They will also share best practices, time-and money-saving techniques and workflow suggestions garnered from their many years of successfully printing branded colors on a variety of substrates. There will also be a Q&A period so be prepared to ask questions! Please come to participate and learn something about brand color management from those who know it best!
Managing Branded Colors on Various Substrates This session will have a panel consisting of three speakers from CPC’s and three speakers from prepress trade shops. They will begin the discussion by sharing both good and not-so-good experiences as it pertains to the theme of the Prepress Session. We will then have time for questions that have been both previously submitted and brought up during the session. Please come prepared to participate and learn something about Brand Color Management from those who know it best. -- Mark Coffman, Dixie Graphics Coca-Cola and Brand Color Management: 2008 Summer Olympics -- Shannon Steele, Coca-Cola USA; Mike Butler, Southern Graphic Systems Sara Lee's Global Color Management Challenge Sara Lee and Schawk were challenged in reengineering a European gravure target and adapting it across multiple U.S. print processes and substrates. We will discuss how we overcame these obstacles by using a best practices approach to managing color and the importance it had in delivering a consistent look to the Sara Lee brand. -- Dan Dietrich, Schawk Inc.; Jim Breitung, Sara Lee Corp. DNA Brand Color Management Program/Diageo & Matthews Brand Solutions This presentation is an overview of Diageo’s Brand Color Management Program from concept to finished packaged goods. We will highlight how our program establishes brand equity through color consistency across multiple substrates and print disciplines and embraces enhanced premiumization while winning the war on visibility at retail. We will conclude by demonstrating a recent brand innovation and its impact to the consumer. -- Kevin Chop, Diageo; Greg LaFond, Matthews Brand Solutions

Monday, May 4, 2009 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
EMERGING TRENDS SESSION: Session Chairs: Mark Vanover
According to “The Tipping Point” author, Malcolm Gladwell, “The Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.” The Emerging Trends session will explore two technology trends that are at that threshold and ready to tip. Digital printing and extended gamut printing technology are not necessarily new; however, their time has come and when they do tip, they will change the way our industry does business. This session will cover these technology trend-tipping points from the manufactures perspective and from users of these technologies. We will also discuss a social behavioral trend, which if it does tip, could mean the future of our industry is at stake.
New Advances in Digital Print Technologies This presentation will discuss HP Indigo’s digital label and flexible packaging press offerings highlighting the current state of the technology, as well as key applications that are being printed on HP Indigo presses and finished on HP Partner technologies such as AB Graphics and Karville. Additionally this presentation will discuss Innovative Labeling Solutions success story of adding digital technology as a core unit within their company. -- Jeff O'Reilly, Hewlett Packard Company; Jay Dollries, Innovative Labeling Solutions Digital Packaging: Expanded Gamut in the Real World Where is expanded gamut printing relative to “The Tipping Point” as described in Malcolm Gladwell’s best selling book? What technical or market changes are required for expanded gamut printing to reach wide spread adaptation? This presentation will describe how the needs of both the consumer product company and the converter must be met in order to reach the tipping point. It will also focus on two specific technologies critical to reaching the tipping point: 1) spot color accuracy / repeatability, and 2) proofing, and how expanded gamut is inferior to CMYK + Spot in some ways, but superior in others. To reach the tipping point, CPC’s, premedia companies, and converters might work together to change some paradigms in order to take full advantage of the benefits of expanded gamut printing. -- Mark Samworth, EskoArtwork; Al Bowers, RR Donnelley The Brain Drain & Internships There are many managers and marketers who will be retiring (that Baby Boomer thing) in the next few years. Will your company be ready to carry on, to grow, to succeed in your absence? You can find good future managers and marketers without hiring them as permanent employees only to find they are not what you had intended to replace your current employees with. Interns are the answer. Give them the reins, let them stick their neck out and make a decision. Is it the same decision you would have made? -- Larry Ahleman, Western Michigan University

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 8:00am - 10:00am
FLEXO 101 SESSION: Session Chairs: Ruth Buckley, Bancroft Bag Inc.; and Richard Black, All Printing Resources, Inc.
Flexo 101 will address a wide range of today’s printing challenges. We are addressing common problems faced by flexo printers in today’s depressed market conditions. Topics to be covered include; factors in image quality, analysis of CTP products on the market, proofing and predictable results, press optimization and anilox inventories and today’s challenging times and how to succeed.
De-mystifying Ablative Flexo CTP…Again! There have been many presentations at Forums over the years on the topic of CTP for Flexo, but the adoption rate throughout the industry is still low. The real gains to the printer are often indistinguishable from the implied or marketing driven claims. This presentation will seek to provide an objective analysis of different ablative CTP products on the market, the accompanying suite of hardware and software tools that are part of the devices, and the tangible gains that printers should be seeking from CTP. The focus will be on the inherent advantages of a CTP workflow and the increased level of control and repeatability in the manufacturing process. -- Dominic Ibarra, Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. A Roadmap for Success in Challenging Economic Times We all know the challenges that flexo printers face today. Some printers struggle to stay afloat while others thrive in spite of the challenges. Not for the faint of heart, this presentation delves into what it takes to be successful in tough economic times. We will examine what separates successful companies from their less successful counterparts and explore the secrets that successful companies employ to increase equipment utilization, reduce damage to press components, reduce make-ready time and costs, improve quality, reduce waste, and increase profitability. -- David Lanska, Stork Cellramic, Inc. The Physics of Print In understanding the correlation between a desired output and the related variables, color management can become as routine a practice as Einstein’s brilliant insight in the interconnection between matter and energy. While I certainly do not compare myself to Einstein by any stretch of the imagination, I do feel that this formula can help to de-mystify the complex process of profiling resulting in a slightly different method to explore how profiling is really a simple tool for explaining and controlling our very complex universe of flexo printing. -- Catherine Haynes, All Printing Resources, Inc. Press Optimization In this session I will discuss the importance of handling and care, how to set up a standardized inventory, as well as press optimization and its role in ink delivery. Plus I'll discuss how a lack of efficient ink delivery can affect density readings as well as solid ink laydown and dot quality. -- Bill Poulson, Harper Corporation of America Factors in Narrow Web Image Quality Narrow web printers continue to push flexo to higher line screens, both extending the top end and moving more work to 175 lpi and above. This presentation will examine a number of factors that determine print quality, including line screen, imager resolution, plate technology, digital prepress workflow, number and location of reproducible gray levels, and dot screening technology. Dot enhancement screening for digital workflow, coupled with high resolution imaging addressability, is capable of significant image quality improvements on press. We’ll also examine which factors are most important for printed image quality, including press factors and the human visual system. -- Brad Taylor, DuPont Imaging Technologies

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 8:00am - 10:00am
FQC SESSION: Session Chairs: Paul Lodewyck, Flint Group; and Jean Jackson, Praxair Surface Technologies
The Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) will provide the industry with a better understanding of the factors controlling the quality of the flexographic printing process. FQC projects investigate selected process variables in order to further develop reproducible process concepts that will allow for measurable advancements in flexographic printing technology. FQC actively participates in the global graphic standards committees and associations in researching and representing the flexographic printing process and FIRST. In this session, we will outline the workings of the FQC and report on active projects. In addition, there are selected data-based presentations on the understanding of flexography.
Measurement of Color Over Transparent & Translucent Substrates The measurement of color on non-opaque substrates is impacted by the characteristics of the backing material used. This report will present the results of 3300 data points for a variety of colors, print substrates, measurement equipment and laboratories for 14 different backing sheets, to characterize the impact of several backing sheets on the color measured. -- Paul Lodewyck, Flint Group Measurement of Anilox Volumes A reliable measure of anilox volume is important start up color, print quality, ink forecasting, and other factors, particularly for work on multiple presses. This project compares the reproducibility of various different measurement methods. -- Jean Jackson, Praxair Surface Technologies Creating a Standard Data Set for Wide Web Flexible Packaging Using Near Neutral Density Process This presentation will detail a step-by-step process for creating an ISO standard data set for the flexographic market. The initial focus of this project is wide web flexible packaging on white poly. This will serve as a template for other market segments as well. -- Mark Mazur, DuPont Imaging Technologies Dot Structure and Fluting Recent implementation of digital workflow into the corrugated industry has brought with it an unintended consequence - increased fluting. This begs the question of why digital plates flute more than traditional analog plates. This study has found that the dot structure has a tremendous impact on the amount of fluting. The results indicate there are 4 factors to minimize or eliminate fluting while simultaneously increasing impression latitude on press. This study attempts to answer this question and describes a reliable method to quantify the amount of fluting. -- David Recchia, MacDermid Printing Solutions Cushion Sleeves: Understanding the Variables, Optimizing the Plate and Cushion The objective of this study is to design an experiment to obtain a thorough understanding of the optimum plate and cushion sleeve combination for the flexible packaging industry. The majority of plates are mounted using the traditional cushion tape, which is mounted to either composite sleeves or steel plate cylinders. However, many printers have converted to cushion sleeves to take advantage of cost savings with mounting tapes, improved print consistency and increased plate life. This presentation will outline the relationship of plate and compressible sleeve durometer on print quality. Also, these results will be compared to the standard cushion tape/non-compressible mounting configurations. -- Rich Emmerling, Flint Group

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 8:00am - 10:00am
SUBSTRATES SESSION: Session Chairs: Paul Kearns, Exopack; and Marc Edlein, Sealed Air Corporation - Cryovac
A good substrate is the building block to great printing. After all, something has to be there to support the ink. Today, there are more substrate options than ever before. Some offer noticeable improvements in printability and others offer improvements in sustainability. How should you sort them out and make the right decisions to meet the needs of your customer? The Substrates session will provide for you the information you need to evaluate today's substrates. From printability to sustainability, make sure that you are up to date on the latest advances in printing substrates.
Study of PLA Printability With the growing interest in green alternatives for flexible packaging, Polylactic Acid (PLA) has received significant interest in recent years. How does this possible substitute for conventional films impact flexographic printing? This session will presents results of a study conducted at Cal Poly on the printability of PLA. Two studies were conducted at Cal Poly to determine the printability of PLA in comparison to Polypropylene (OPP) and Polyester (PET). The first test was conducted using an IGT F1 Flexography Printability Tester on four substrates in Cal Poly’s Substrates and Ink laboratory. The results were analyzed for surface energy, ink laydown and mottle, highlight reproduction, dot gain, and dot roundness. A second study was conducted by printing PLA and the control substrates on a narrow web flexographic press. The objective was to determine if the laboratory results could be confirmed in a simulated production environment. Results of both studies will be presented during this session. -- Malcolm Keif, California Polytechnic State University Enhanced PE Resins Plastic packaging plays a key role in protecting food and minimizing spoilage, but with the strong global emphasis on sustainability, it is necessary to minimize the impact of plastic packaging on our environment. Film converters and end users are constantly seeking solutions that balance the environmental needs with the demands of the retail environment. Examples in this presentation will demonstrate how a polyethylene-based package can significantly reduce the total energy consumption, green house gas emissions and post consumer waste as compared to alternative materials. The presentation will also address source reduction, which can be achieved using new resins. These resins allow converters to downgauge while improving upon the clarity and the brightness of films. And finally, we will show how we are developing polyethylene from renewable resources like sugarcane, which will reduce the use of fossil fuels to produce polymers. -- Nilesh Savargaonkarf, The Dow Chemical Company LCA of Paper “Carbon footprint” is the trendy environmental attribute for products, packaging, events, activities and the rest. However, this term bears different definitions depending on its intended use. One of the most critical components of the definition of carbon footprint relates to its boundaries. Multiple organizations are attempting to standardize this definition, including standards organizations like BSI British Standards (PAS 2050), trade associations like Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), research institutes like National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) or retailers like Wal-Mart (GHG emissions). This presentation will present real numbers and will allow comparisons using different boundaries and different definitions providing a better understanding of the so-called “carbon footprint”. -- Marie Dumontier, Fraser Papers Inc. Profiling Substrates for Color Properties Packaging and printing substrates play a critical role in final color appearance of the graphic reproduction workflow. Over the last several years, ICC color profiles have infiltrated many graphic communication company workflows for optimized color reproduction and predictability. Many packaging applications predominately rely on printing spot colors to fulfill color reproduction and cost requirements. The ICC profile has little to no advantage in the said spot color workflow. This presentation introduces a new approach to advance the prediction of spot colors across packaging applications through the development of a standardized substrate profile format, and an introduction to the algorithms used to predict color reproduction behaviors. Selected substrate properties and measurement techniques are reported, along with preliminary pilot research results, and the specification of the full research endeavor Clemson and academic and industrial partners are embarking upon. -- Jay Sperry, Clemson University

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
FIRST: FASTER & BETTER SESSION: Session Chairs: David Nunez, International Paper Company; and Dan Dietrich, Schawk, Inc.
Change, it can be good and very scary. When people are concerned about how change will affect them in their position, they become very apprehensive. FIRST 4.0 is one change that is good for everyone involved with the flexographic workflow and process. It is a change to an old favorite and new approach to what we can do to help our business, not hinder it. Come and see what all the fuss is about! We will have the technical director of FIRST 4.0 (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances) discuss the book, what it means to us and how it will help us make our lives easier. We will have a panel of speakers from all of the segments in the book involved in a Q&A session that will help gain a better understanding of FIRST. We will document how FIRST integrates with TEST (Technical Education Services Team) and how it has been working in the field with case studies. Come join us for a session well worth your time!
What's New, What's Changed & What's Better in FIRST 4.0 Want the inside scoop about what's new in the latest edition of FIRST? Michelle will highlight all of the significant upgrades included in FIRST 4.0 -- and how it can benefit your organization! Changes in 4.0 run the gamut, from structural/organizational upgrades that make the document easier to use, to significant expansion of content -- answering your most pressing questions. FIRST 4.0 is a "must have" document and the FIRST session in Orlando will clearly explain how your organization and supply chain can capitalize on the benefits of FIRST 4.0 immediately! -- Michelle Beuscher, FIRST 4.0 Project Manager/Editor The Real World of FIRST - How Does the CPC Start the Process? -- David Nunez, International Paper Company The Real World of FIRST - The Designer's Responsibility This presentation will cover the following: the characteristics of the design firm as a responsible partner in the package development workflow; the stewards of the brand from creation through implementation; design thinking; designing within the project parameters; designing for the print process; designer as advocate for the client; designer as advocate for quality; designer as advocate for packaging innovation; designer as advocate for prepress providers and printers; designer as partner with industry experts. -- John McDonald, Brandimage-Degrippes & Laga The Real World of FIRST - The Prepress House's Responsibility When it comes to prepress/premedia, process control and having an established workflow protocol with your clients is a matter of paramount importance. In addition, the traditional roles of the separator and designer have changed. The prepress portion of this group presentation will focus on using, and documenting process control at each stage of the workflow, as well as what the new expectation of the separators are, as defined by the needs of the consumer product company. -- Robb Frimming, Schawk, Inc. The Real World of FIRST -The Converter's Responsibility We will cover the printers role in running print to FIRST guidelines, including the importance of running print based on the press configuration used to generate the press profiles. Emphasis will be given to the need to follow the FIRST path through the production cycle and the importance of keeping inks in balance, on density and to keep ink properties within parameters that are ideal on their press, i.e. water-based inks that are kept in the proper pH balance and viscosity and on solvent-based inks, that viscosity and solvent blends are correct for the substrate being used. By using the FIRST book to show that we are not alone in asking that certain methods and procedures are followed and that those methods and procedures work in a myriad of applications, gives the printer credibility. -- Joe Aker, Hood Packaging Corporation Navigating the Future of FIRST - Innovate, Educate, Communicate Communication is the key to a successful FIRST workflow! As companies navigate their way to successful implementation of FIRST, FFTA is ready to provide the necessary training resources. In order to provide consistent training, FFTA’s Technical Education Services Team (TEST) has been working diligently to ensure that all of its educational offerings are aligned to the principles found in the newly released FIRST 4.0. This presentation will identify the relationship between FIRST and TEST while introducing the state-of-the-art training materials available through the Virtual Campus. In addition, we will be taking a look at the building blocks of the FIRST Company Certification process and identifying the key elements of compliance. -- Joe Tuccitto, FTA

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
INKS SESSION: Session Chairs: John Daugherty, NAPIM; Joseph Schlinkert, Color Resolutions International
The ink session will cover a full range of topics, from quality control, to sustainability issues, to new technology. Learn about the results of a university research project to accurately correlate hand proofs to on-press color, what can be done to the ink formula to make it as sustainable as possible, and water- versus solvent-based systems in terms of energy costs and environmental sustainability. In addition, we will discuss the latest information on the use of electron beam curing for wide web flexo, including details on a 10-color EB press printing at 500 meters/minute.
Flexo EB Printing on Wide Web Flexible Materials Today we live in fast movement world. Society needs fast tools for everything. Packaging is the way to go to get some advantages in a simple way. But at the same time, society is asking for environmental respect in terms of processes, materials, recycling… So our bet was being respectful with the environment and, at the same time, create a procedure with advantages in terms of costs and quality. -- Jose Santiago, Comexi North America, Inc. Predictability of Press Color Matching via Bladed Ink Proofing One of the most challenging aspects of a press makeready is color matching spot inks on press. A significant amount of time is spent modifying inks or swapping anilox rolls to match densities and/or Delta-E. The purpose of this session is to present the findings of a research study conducted at Cal Poly on the correlation of using a common bladed and banded hand proofer to results on press. The research will determine correlation of ink proofs to actual press results using a series of stocks and anilox rolls for different spot color inks. The presentation, conducted by Cal Poly students, will also include variables related to hand proofing and how to ensure predictable results. With set-up reduction (SMED) being a primary factor related to profitability, converters must incorporate new methods to reduce makeready time on press. By focusing on prepress ink preparation, the printer can achieve color matches in minimal time -- Malcolm Keif, California Polytechnic State University Beyond the Binder -- James Ford, Color Resolutions International Water-based Flexo Inks – Can We Have Our Bio-cake and Eat It, Too? Water-based flexo inks are seeking an increased range of applications for both surface print and lamination on a range of plastic and nonwoven substrates. This presentation will examine the many pluses and minuses of water-based technology versus solvent-based inks (environmental and sustainability advantages versus potential issues on key performance criteria, as well as total energy costs) and reach conclusions on the current ability of water-based ink technology to stand up to the challenges of lamination and surface print on difficult substrates while delivering all the anticipated “green” benefits over solvent-based inks -- Stephen Postle, Sun Chemical Corporation

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
SUSTAINABILITY SESSION: Session Chairs: Allen Marquardt, Kimberly–Clark Corp.; Doreen Monteleone, Flexographic Technical Association
Sustainability is a journey not an endpoint. As technologies appear in the marketplace and techniques are discovered, printers find new ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Printers need to examine their particular operation to determine how to take the best approaches to become more sustainable. In this session, you will hear about how you can take proactive steps in all areas of your facility. This session has something for everyone traveling on the sustainability journey!
Flexo's Sustainability Journey - Guidelines for Strengthening Flexo's Sustainability Performance Every day the flexo industry experiences increasing pressures of becoming sustainable as retailers and consumer packaged goods companies present their requirements to print suppliers. Being sustainable is a complex process and printers cannot follow a simple roadmap on this journey. Sustainability represents a continuum of business process and technology enhancements as environmental issues related to packaging are highly visible. -- Ian Hole, EskoArtwork Eco-Efficiency Analysis of Flexo Water, Solvent and UV Cured Inks in Film Application The BASF eco-efficiency analysis is a strategic lifecycle tool that compares the relative ecological and economic efficiencies of alternative products, production processes and technologies. Eco-efficiency analysis looks at the entire life cycle of a product which also provides an "ecological fingerprint" of these environmental dimensions: raw materials, energy consumption, land use, emissions, toxicity and risk potential. -- John Serafano, BASF Corporation Water Wash Platemaking Systems With all the emphasis on solvent and thermal processed plates, water wash plates are often overlooked. In this session, you will hear about the history of the water wash plate and reasons for its development. The platemaking process and specialized equipment will be covered to better determine if water wash plates can be used on your sustainability journey. -- Paul Zeinert, Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. Distillation Can Assist Flexo Printers in Demanding Times Today’s solvent-using flexo printer must find ways to compete financially and comply environmentally as the world becomes more economically challenging and eco conscious. Contaminated solvents are generated either from on board press wash up or by washing components used in the printing process. The flexo printer which recovers their own contaminated solvents, develops a self sustaining system that significantly reduces overall solvent costs, minimizes waste disposal, and creates long term independence from outside sources. -- David Roey, Max Daetwyler Corp. Process Energy Reduction, Optimization and Recovery With the recent increasing and often unpredictable cost of energy, in addition to environmental concerns with carbon emissions, industry is taking a closer look at energy usage and options to reduce their carbon footprint. Optimizing equipment through process energy analysis, utilizing only the energy required, documentation, preventive and predictive equipment maintenance, updating obsolete controls, burners and air handling systems can provide both bottom-line savings on production costs and often increase capacity and production capabilities. A good energy plan is important for successful selection of projects, prioritization, determining return on investment, project management and execution. -- Chris Worachek, MEGTEC Systems Lower Cost, Smaller Footprint: A Sustainable Success Story With tightening regulation, increasing pressure from environmental and consumer advocacy groups and heightened demands from customers, the packaging industry is under intense pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. Of course, all this is happening in a challenging economic time when printers are working hard to maintain their margins in a climate of rising costs and continuing downward price pressures. This presentation will review Solo's conversion from solvent and liquid plate making to a thermal process in 9 locations. It will review the financial and sustainability benefits associated with the conversion of their operations. -- Richard Rosenberger, Solo Cup Company

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 | 9:00am - 10:30am
FQC PROJECT MEETINGS SESSION:
The mission of the Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC) is to provide the industry with a better understanding of the factors controlling the quality of the flexographic printing process. FQC projects research concepts that will allow for measurable advancements in flexographic printing technology. If you are interested in the research and science of flexography, you are invited to come and get involved with the FQC committee and the active projects.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 | 10:30am - 11:30am
FIRST ROUNDTABLE MEETING SESSION:
Come to this open forum to discuss and better understand FIRST 4.0. See why FIRST is being embraced as a means to achieve predictable consistent print results with increased productivity. Come learn and share experiences with others who have implemented FIRST and those who plan to. Everyone is welcome to attend as FIRST is a living document built by those who live flexography daily.