The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is pleased to announce that Richard Smith FAIP has recently replaced Keith Chessell FAIP as the in-coming Association Board member for APCO. Keith Chessell will continue on the APCO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and as a key member of the AIP Education team.
Richard Smith FAIP is currently the Director Safety, Quality and Sustainability for Amcor Flexibles Australia and New Zealand and will bring to the APCO Board over 30 years technical experience across multiple disciplines. He has extensive knowledge in innovation and development of flexible plastic packaging and rigid plastic packaging and has authored a number of patents in both rigid and flexible packaging formats. Richard also has expansive knowledge of polymers, analytical assessment methods for polymers and packaging, regulatory requirements for packaging including product safety. In addition, he has extensive experience in development of bio-based materials, compostable flexible packaging and the associated environmental standards that pertain to packaging. He was also part of the working group that developed the Home Compostability standards with Standards Australia (AS5810).
Richard has also worked with the AIP for many years in our AIP Education team and provides unique knowledge in flexibles, rigids, biodegradable and compostable packaging and also lifecycle assessment. He was recognised by the industry and his peers for his extensive knowledge in 2013 with a Fellowship to the AIP. He is also one of the Trainers in the AIP Education Team and a Lecturer in the AIP-led Master of Food & Packaging Innovation Degree at the University of Melbourne.
According to Richard Smith FAIP, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to join the APCO board on behalf of the AIP and all packaging technologists and designers across ANZ. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the important work undertaken by APCO with all industry stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and circularity of packaging in Australia and the region. The AIP contributes significantly through industry engagement and education, and it is a privilege to be able to support the Institute at this time where the rate of change in industry has never been greater,”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow AIP colleague Keith Chessell FAIP, on the outstanding work he has undertaken with the APCO board, on behalf of packaging technologists, over the last two years. His hard work, dedication and passion are second-to-none.” Mr Smith said.
Keith Chessell FAIP added that ‘It has been a real privilege to represent the AIP as an Industry Association Director on the APCO Board over the last two years. I have appreciated the opportunity to be a part of all that the APCO team has been able to accomplish in re-establishing and developing APCO’s leadership with the Government and Industry in focusing on the Nations’ packaging environmental issues. During this time APCO has established the Roadmap and Monitoring program for the delivery of Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets (NPT). The challenge for the packaging & manufacturing industry is to adopt the sustainable packaging design principles into their business as part of the collective work being undertaken by key stakeholders within the packaging value chain.”
The AIP would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Richard Smith on his new appointment and also acknowledge the remarkable work that Keith has undertaken during his time on the APCO Board.