Returning for its 4th year, Sustainability in Packaging Latin America 2024 took place in Mexico City, Mexico in June! This event brings together the entire supply chain within the packaging industry, collaborating and discussing current issues, regulatory updates, reuse and refill examples in the marketplace, alternative materials and fibers, plastic innovation and more.
The 2024 agenda featured speakers from Walmart De Mexico, Danone Mexico, Suzano S/A, Eastman Chemical Company, Siegwerk, WRAP, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Grupo Boticário, H.B. Fuller, Cardia Bioplastics, Deloitte, and more who are bringing leading insights to Mexico City this past June.
This flagship packaging event regularly brings together representatives from across the entire packaging value chain, including brand owners, retailers, packaging converters, manufacturers, suppliers, recyclers, and more, to facilitate industry collaboration, support the sharing of ideas, explore innovative solutions, and deliver upon the collective promise of increased sustainability within the packaging industry.
Ingeniero Químico de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Magister en Gerencia Ambiental de la Universidad de los Andes, con experiencia en Sostenibilidad Estratégica y gestión de asuntos ESG (ambientales, sociales y de gobernanza) en empresas de consumo masivo, incluyendo Papel, Textiles, Alimentos y Bebidas.
Fortaleza en el desarrollo de modelos de negocio en Bioeconomía mediante encadenamientos productivos, habilidad en el diseño e implementación de indicadores de resultados (OKR) y desempeño (KPI) relacionados con la estrategia de la organización y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS).
I am an experienced researcher and PhD graduate with a demonstrated history of sustainability, circular economy, and climate change. I am skilled in project management, strategic planning, data science, and business analytics. I am currently doing research and consulting work in the circular economy, plastics, and sustainable business models. Also, I'm currently working as a Project Manager within the Plastics Pact Network at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
María Alejandra es la Coordinadora Regional de Politica de Plásticos de WWF para América Latina y el Caribe, donde se enfoca en los procesos de incidencia en política para la adopción de medidas para abordar la contaminación por plásticos y promover una economía circular de los plásticos. Así mismo, lidera los procesos de involucramiento y participación de actores públicos, privados y sociedad civil en el proceso de creación del tratado global sobre contaminación por plásticos y su relación con las acciones nacionales, subnacionales e iniciativas voluntarias.
Anteriormente, Maria Alejandra se desempeñó como especialista sectorial de mitigación al cambio climático en WWF Colombia, donde lidero el diseño e implementación de iniciativas y proyectos de reducción de emisiones y sostenibilidad en los sectores de energía, industria e infraestructura.
María alejandra es ingeniera química e ingeniera ambiental, con maestría en gestión de proyectos de energía y medio ambiente.
Alejandro Astorga Gurza is the North America Business Development Manager for Eastman Chemical Company for the Cosmetics & Personal Care, Commercial Durables and Eyewear segments within the Specialty Plastics business organization.
He has an Industrial Engineering bachelor degree with Leadership and Finance diplomas, and an MBA degree granted by Universidad Anáhuac México. He has worked 10 years in leading companies in the Plastics Industry in Latin and North America, having roles in Supply Chain, Marketing, Account Management and Business Development. In his current role, he helps connecting the key stakeholders in the value chain to develop Sustainable solutions by leveraging Eastman innovative circular technologies.
Carolina is an International Partnerships Manager for WRAP’s global work. She has been at the forefront of the work WRAP does to accelerate the circular economy on plastics, textiles, food waste and on GHG emissions around the world. On plastic, currently, she is focused in the LATAM region supporting the development and implementation of plastics pacts engaging with governments and plastics value chains across different countries including Mexico, Colombia and Chile.
Carlos graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. He worked in industry before moving to the United Kingdom, to do his Ph.D at the University of Cambridge. During his doctoral research and subsequently as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, he developed the basis of the Enval process to recycle plastic aluminium laminate pouches, sachets, tubes, etc.
As a result, Carlos founded Enval where he is CEO. The Company now has a commercial plant recycling laminates in the UK and is in the process of installing further units in other locations. Enval has also started to develop recycling processes for other materials, creating a link between the packaging world and the waste handling sector.
Speaker bio coming soon.
Esteban is an engineer with a passion for sustainable development and scalable technology. As the commercial director for the Americas at Cardia Bioplastics, he has spent years developing the biopolymer market in Mexico and now scaling throughout LATAM. He is also a co-founder and Vice President of the Mexican Bioplastics Association, working tirelessly to drive market growth and align the value chain in the country. In recognition of his innovative work, Esteban was named a From Linear to Circular pioneer by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Esteban es un ingeniero apasionado por el desarrollo sustentable y la tecnología escalable. Como director comercial para las Américas en Cardia Bioplastics, ha dedicado años desarrollando el mercado de biopolímeros en México y ahora dándole escalabilidad por LATAM. También es cofundador y vicepresidente de la Asociación Mexicana de Bioplásticos, trabajando incansablemente para impulsar el crecimiento del mercado y alinear la cadena de valor en el país. En reconocimiento a su trabajo innovador, Esteban fue nombrado pionero de la transición de la economía lineal a la circular por la Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Bio coming soon!
Bobby is the LATAM Sales Director for UPM Specialty Papers. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and lived in Lima, Peru for 12 years. He speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese. Bobby is a dynamic, seasoned professional whose diverse background contributed to his exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. He has a proven track record in international business development, with remarkable distinctions and exemplary results.
He has been with UPM Specialty Papers for the last 5 years. Prior to joining UPM, he spent 9 years at Neenah Paper, which is now Mativ. During the last 14 years, he has been working and developing commercial relationships throughout the Americas. He has worked with various global and regional
companies, brand owners and convertors. His expertise has helped companies develop and commercialize sustainable, fiber-based materials and products for varying end uses within the Label and Packaging market segments. Currently, Bobby and his team are focused on business growth that delivers an environmental impact and contributes positively to the social sphere.
Dr. Nikola Juhasz is the Global Technical Director for Sustainability at Sun Chemical, where she engages with internal and external stakeholders to formulate sustainability-driven technical strategies, and oversees implementation of the corresponding innovation and product development programs across all of Sun’s pigments, inks, coatings and adhesives product lines and technology platforms. She represents Sun Chemical at global cross-industry organizations focused on sustainability and the future of packaging, and is responsible to driving collaborations towards circularity and end of life management.
Prior to joining Sun Chemical in 2016, Dr. Juhasz spent over 20 years in various positions of R&D leadership in the diversified chemicals, polymers and materials industries. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
