Q: WHY DID YOU JOIN THE AIP? WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU BELIEVE THE AIP OFFERS ALL THEIR MEMBERS?
I joined the AIP because I would like to attain the Certified Packaging Professional designation and also to improve my professional development.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE?
I have been in the industry for 10 years now; excluding my education in polymer technology.  I have expertise in areas around barrier packaging for food applications  and areas such as Tie resins, barrier resins, barrier coatings, as well as to a lesser degree, resins for sealant films.

Applications I have worked on include snack foods, cup fruit, meat among others Countries I have been responsible with in my experience include ASEAN, ANZ and South Asia (excluding India) and Africa.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB ROLE AND WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
I am currently responsible for regional brand owner contact and discussions to introduce as well as understand the requirements for the development of new packaging material & technologies.  I also look after the development of new business with new co-extrusion blown film line owners as well as working with other resin manufacturers and machine owners to ensure the satisfaction of our customers.

The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) have been running the Scholarship program, in conjunction with the AIP, for ten years enabling one lucky packaging technologist, designer or engineer in Australia the opportunity to complete a Diploma in Packaging Technology to the value of $9,000 every year. The Internationally Accredited Diploma in Packaging Technology prepares students to take responsibility for packaging operations at any level through the supply chain. The qualification is comprehensive and provides an opportunity to study the principles of packaging, packaging materials and packaging processes. Diploma in Packaging Technology students are from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and are typically experienced practitioners or managers in technical, sales/marketing, QA, purchasing, engineering or design. Completion of the Diploma in Packaging Technology demonstrates your commitment to your career and to the industry. Delegates who successfully complete the Diploma are equipping themselves for senior positions within the packaging industry.

Here is what Alex had to say about the APPMA Scholarship and attaining her Diploma in Packaging Technology…

Q1: What is your current role? What are your areas of responsibility?

My current role is the Accessible Packaging Researcher in Arthritis Australia’s Accessible Design Division. This role is varied but rewarding as I work to assist the packaging industry with developing packaging that all consumers can easily open, including consumers with reduce strength and dexterity. I enjoy working with clients to find the right kind of service to assist their redevelopment process, as well as being involved in the testing process.

Q2: What did winning the APPMA Scholarship mean to you? How important are scholarships like this?

I was very excited when I won the APPMA Scholarship, as I knew it would help shape my career. I had studied Industrial Design at University, which included subjects on packaging design and manufacturing, but the scholarship gave me the opportunity to challenge myself to expand my packaging expertise. Winning the scholarship also showed me that the packaging industry wants to invest in young talent and ensure that the workforce will continue to have quality skills.

Q3: What does graduating from the Diploma in Packaging Technology mean to you?

I found that studying while working fulltime had its challenges but achieving good results and graduating has been particularly rewarding. The course has also given me greater confidence in my work and assisted me in achieving better outcomes with our clients.

Q4: How will you apply this knowledge moving forward?

The Diploma in Packaging Technology has given me both a broader understanding of the industry as a whole and a deeper knowledge of a number of key topics. It has been particularly satisfying applying what I have learnt to my work to improve packaging accessibility and I know it will continue to inform many aspects of my role.

Q5: Do you have any advice on why other people should complete the Diploma in Packaging Technology?

I think when you’re beginning your career, it’s important to try and gain as much knowledge as possible of the industry as a whole. This might include aspects that are broader then your current role, but it will allow you to see how your position fits in the bigger picture. The packaging industry is also constantly evolving with new technologies and trends, so I think its vital that the fundamentals of packaging are understood and the Diploma can provide this knowledge set.

Q6: So where to from here for your career?

After completing the Diploma I feel I have a strong packaging foundation to build my career from and that the opportunities are endless. But for now, I want to continue applying the knowledge I have gained to my accessibility field and help industry make further improvements in the area.

The 2019 APPMA Scholarship is currently open for entries and will be closing on the 22 February

http://aipack.com.au/education/diploma-scholarships/appma-diploma-scholarship-australia/

The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has named the three winners in the Lifetime Achievement category within the WorldStar Packaging Awards 2019 programme.

A panel of international judges elected Keith Chessell from Australia, Shahid Sheikh OBE from the United Kingdom, and Gillian Loubser, from South Africa. (Both Chessell and Loubser have contributed as writers to PKN Packaging News over the last decade).

“The Lifetime Achievement in Packaging Award was established with the aim of acknowledging and rewarding excellence in all aspects of packaging science, technology, design and application across every country around the world,” said Pierre Pienaar, WPO president.

“The discipline of packaging is one that is truly global. The World Packaging Organisation is in a unique position to identify leading practitioners from around the world who have consistently pushed the boundaries in advancing the art, science and application of packaging to serve the needs of an ever more demanding society. These prestigious awards will celebrate and preserve in perpetuity the collective achievements of these innovators,” Pienaar said.

Speaking to PKN following the WPO’s announcement, Keith Chessell said he was humbled by the recognition of his life’s work in the field of packaging.

Read more at http://www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/aussie-packaging-doyen-honoured-on-world-stage#IcR7S48wQ1l5l8uK.99

The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) biannual meetings were made all the more special due to the hospitality and generous support of Labthink Instruments; an AIP supporter and recent exhibitor at our 2018 AIP National Conference.

Labthink Instruments Co., Ltd is a multinational company that is devoted to helping customers succeed, employees grow and brands gain respect. The headquarters of Labthink is in Jinan, China; its international headquarters is in Boston, USA and its SAC IT Center is in Hong Kong, China. The company has more than 50 international distributors and more than 30 international service providers. Their core businesses include the R&D of laboratory testing instruments, packaging testing and test data processing services. They are dedicated to providing integrated professional quality control solutions for packaging manufacturers, food and beverage producers, medical and pharmaceutical companies, and daily chemical and printing industries.

All Labthink testing instruments are featured with advanced testing technology and comprehensive configurations. Instruments are professionally used for flexible materials testing, which mean more accuracy, more precision. They also provide free training and door to door services for their equipment. Equipped with Labthink testing instruments, Labthink Laboratory provides consultative testing services for food and packaging industries. Not only provide test results and reports, the lab technicians also help customers to find and solve problems with reliable and considerate services. Labthink Packaging Safety Testing Center was established in 2000, which is divided into a Research Laboratory and Cloud Testing Centre. The total area of laboratories reaches 410 m2 and testing area is 360 m2. 120 testing instruments, which are worth a total of 30 million US dollars, are utilised to perform a variety of test items including barrier, tensile property, heat seal, hot tack, COF, thickness, tear strength, impact resistance, heat shrinkage, leakage, flex durability, adhesion, colour fastness, and GC, etc.

Labthink is not only an instrument supplier, but also a solution provider. Labthink is the ultimate testing technology so if you need any assistance in Australia and New Zealand please contact Belle Zhai, Sales Manager, International Sales Department, Labthink on belle.zhai@labthink.com and please mention the AIP.

WPO President and AIP Education Director, Pierre Pienaar FAIP CPP with Labthink Sales Manager, International Sales Department Belle Zhai

The new AIP Warehouse Volunteering Program allows our members to work directly with Foodbank Victoria to help the Yarraville Warehouse pick and pack on-line orders and mixed grocery boxes. The AIP Foodbank Warehouse Volunteering Program provided the opportunity to better understand how Foodbank works and was a combination of picking and packing of on-line food orders and packing mixed grocery boxes. The on-line orders have been placed by many of the 470 charity partners who look after the thousands of Victorians currently experiencing food insecurity. The mixed groceries items are donated by school students, community groups, clubs and corporate organisations who run food drives to provide the ingredients for the food boxes. Their charity partners are able to order these boxes which they then pass on to those families or individuals who need that extra help with grocery items.

The AIP Volunteering Program provided vital work supporting struggling Victorians and the contribution of the AIP Members is extremely valuable. Not only have their efforts supported Foodbank Victoria, they have supported numerouscharities across the state by packing their food orders, packing around 1600 boxes of cans and also packing a range of mixed vegetables for Foodbank Victoria. Together the AIP team packed a mammoth 21459 kgs, equivalent to approximately 38256 mealsfor our community. 38626 meals are the equivalent of feeding a family of 4, 3 meals a day for about 9 years. The AIP will continue this program in 2019 and will be announcing new dates shortly. All of industry is invited to join the AIP in this program. For more information please email info@aipack.com.au

At an AIP NSW meeting in Sydney yesterday, Aleah Back was awarded the prestigious Harry Lovell award for academic excellence.

In 2014, Aleah Back, a qualified packaging technologist who is currently employed as Quality Specialist – Fresh – In-Store Bakery at Woolworths Limited, was awarded the APPMA Annual Scholarship to undertake the Diploma in Packaging Technology.

In 2016 she graduated achieving her Diploma in record time and excelled in her final exam results.

Subsequently, the AIP Education Committee has decided to formally acknowledge her outstanding achievements as a student of the Diploma in Packaging Technology by awarding Aleah the Harry Lovell Award.

The Harry Lovell Award recognises outstanding achievement in the examinations leading to the Diploma in Packaging Technology and has not been awarded since 2013.

Read more at http://www.packagingnews.com.au/news/woolworths-ltd-packaging-technologist-wins-top-aip-award?

Emeritus. Prof Harry Lovell, OAM, FAIP attended the evening with his wife Nora and son David and received his Lifetime Achievement Award to a 500-person standing ovation. Professor Harry Lovell has practically devoted his entire life to furthering education; in particular through the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). His prime focus has been to impart knowledge and teach others. Harry was instrumental in reinvigorating the Australian Institute of Packaging, not only as an educational body, but also a business unit during his terms as National President in 1990s. The development of a successful suite of educational and technical solutions for members was underpinned through the establishment of a successful collaborative network between leading packaging technologists across Australia and also leading firms focused on the manufacture of packaged goods. Harry has had many appointments over the years, sat on various judging panels, published numerous articles on food technology and packaging as well as delivering numerous papers across the globe.

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) are extremely proud and for Harry to be recognised in front of his peers, mentees and family was a rare moment that all whom attended will hold dear.

The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) would like to congratulate Dr Carol Kilcullen-Lawrence PhD, FAIP, CPP, Sustainability Specialist, UPM Raflatac and Kailash Bajpai MAIP, CPP, R&D Team Leader – Milk, Beverage, Cheese, Parmalat for attaining their Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation. Offered exclusively through the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) in Australasia, the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation is the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals.

The AIP asked Carol and Kailash a few questions about their careers and packaging education and why the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation is so important for the profession and the industry…

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE?

CL: I arrived in Melbourne in 1992, intending to stay for 3 years. However, with a background in Biological Chemistry and a PhD in Polymer Chemistry, after 5 weeks found myself working as a technical service chemist at Jac Australia (now Avery Labels). I was testing label stocks, to recommend the best self-adhesive label to match both the product, it’s packaging and the labels intended print method. So over my 26 years in the labelling side of packaging, I have seen almost endless combinations of label print carrier, adhesive and release liner – the backing which is removed to apply the label.

It is really important to select the right label for the package by considering key criteria. For example the adhesive needs to be matched to the package in at least three ways: is it to be a permanent or removable label; is it applied at ambient, elevated or cold (and potentially condensated) surfaces; how is the label going to affect the package once applied in terms of recyclability or migration of the adhesive?

KB: I have over 20 years’ experience in the Packaging industry. I have extensive experience in developing packaging for a wide range of food and non-food products and in efficiency improvement through waste & cost reduction programs. I have worked with packaging material manufacturers as well as users, which gives me unique insights into packaging manufacturing and its usage in a commercial environment.

WHAT MADE YOU APPLY FOR THE CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION?

CL: Labels are just one, often small, part of the package, however they are applied to an endless array of products. With my current focus on sustainability of packaging it was a natural step to want to learn more about all the different packaging formats to see where sustainable labelling can be maximised.

KB: Whilst I already have a formal Post Graduate qualification in Packaging Technology through the Indian Institute of Packaging however, I am firm believer in continuous learning and keeping abreast of the latest trends and technologies in delivering innovative and commercially viable solutions to the business. The CPP, through the AIP, offers structured yet a very practical way, to keep on top of the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology and learn from other’s experiences.

HOW IMPORTANT IS ATTAINING THE CPP DESIGNATION TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL?

CL: I have been inspired by the number of packaging professionals who have chosen to attain the CPP in this part of the world and I love to study; as learning is a lifelong journey. Even though I knew I had the years of experience to qualify, it can be daunting sitting for an exam.

However, I would encourage each and every packaging professional to get a copy of the Fundamentals of Packaging Technology textbook through the AIP and just start reading it, as it unfolds in a very logical manner, and you will know by the time you get part way through that achieving the CPP (Certified Packaging Professional) is definitely achievable.

KB: Even though I have formal Packaging credentials, the CPP designation has given me the opportunity to refresh my knowledge of Science behind material manufacturing and the interaction with products and machines in the current environment. Practical examples correlated and have reinforced my experience and understanding of Packaging Technology.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CPP DESIGNATION FOR THE GREATER RECOGNITION OF PACKAGING PROFESSIONALS?

CL: The importance of the CPP designation is still emerging, in a very positive way across the world. It is a very important progression for our industry both domestically and international; particularly to identify and recognise packaging professionals who have years of experience, so that younger entrants to our industry can seek out their support and mentorship. On that note if anyone is thinking of attaining the CPP designation, I am more than happy to share my experience and study methods to guide you through the process.

KB: In Australia, there are limited opportunities at University level for individuals to get internationally recognised skills in Packaging Technology. Thanks to the AIP, the CPP program is now offered in Australasia which is a tremendous opportunity for recognising the skill levels currently available in the packaging industry. The CPP course offered exclusively through the AIP, offers an excellent opportunity for people to attain international accreditation. The CPP is now accredited in 52 countries and numbers are growing. For the wider industry here in Australasia the CPP designation will bring new talents and professionals who will continue to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for years to come. The AIP also offers a Diploma in Packaging Technology, a Certificate in Packaging and the Fundamentals in Packaging Technology on-line to help bridge packaging knowledge in this region.

ABOUT THE CPP PROGRAM

Isn’t it time that you joined recognised packaging experts from around the world with the industry’s leading professional designation? Attaining the CPP® designation is an excellent investment in your professional development and the credential defines the packaging professional and allows organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions. CPP is a designation some of the leading packaging companies in the world want their influential team members to have because it demonstrates broad competency in all major areas of packaging. CPPs today typically enjoy more senior, decision-making positions in their companies, and research also suggests that holders of CPP often out-earn their non-certified peers. CPP credential demonstrates that a packaging practitioner possesses packaging knowledge, experience and skills to the degree that they deserve recognition as a true packaging professional; a cut above their peers.

To find out more about the Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation please email the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) on educate@aipack.com.au or click here…

Wellman Packaging CEO Craig Wellman FAIP was given the industry’s Packaging Professional of the Year Award for his achievements and contribution.

The judges looked for an individual who has demonstrated vision and leadership, shows innovation, and is not afraid to take risks. The person must have contributed to the packaging and processing industry over at least 25 years.

In 2001, Wellman Packaging decided to concentrate on moulding packaging products, so the manufacturing facility was moved to Ingleburn and Wellman promoted to CEO.

The company changed its name to Wellman Packaging and has grown significantly under his leadership and foresight of the packaging business.

Read more…

Courtesy of PKN Packaging News
www.packagingnews.com.au

The 2018 APPMA Scholarship winner is Nathan Leong MAIP, Packaging/Product Technologist, Primo Smallgoods. Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (Major in Food Science & Nutrition), Nathan Leong currently works in the food industry in Product and Research Development Roles. He understands that after twelve years in the food industry packaging design/development plays a pivotal role in the success of product protection, shelf life and marketing. Having this packaging knowledge in future will provide a diverse technical knowledge to add value in his current business in both areas of product and packaging. Nathan has always been curious about various types of corrugates used for sporting cards and its primary and secondary encased packaging formats. He has been fascinated by the progression in food packaging from tetra packs, reclosable films and creation of packaging through 3D printing. Nathan hopes that someday he might be fortunate enough to be a part of packaging design that may benefit the world in some way.

The APPMA, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), have been running the annual scholarship program for ten years providing a packaging technologist, designer or engineer in Australia, the opportunity to complete a Diploma in Packaging Technology to the value of over $9000. The APPMA have generously sponsored this educational scholarship for over a decade and are the largest supported of furthering education in the wider industry. Please join with the APPMA and the AIP in congratulating Nathan Leong on his scholarship.

Nathan Leong accepts his Scholarship award from APPMA Chairman, Mark Dingley.