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Agenda

Smithers is pleased to present an initial look at the agenda for Sustainability in Packaging Latin America 2023!

On site translation will be available for English and Spanish speaking delegates.

Be sure to join us in the afternoon on Wednesday, August 16 for the Pre-Conference Workshop focusing on Compostable Options for Latin America.
Compostable Options for Latin America
Compost Packaging in Latin America: Partnerships to Facilitate Growth
A panel discussion and workshop outlining what's needed to establish compostable packaging solutions in LatAm, focusing on the role of partnerships with local packaging and bioplastics associations.  Consideration will be given to standards, testing labs, certification, policy, compost infrastructure, and education. 
Rhodes Yepsen | Executive Director, Biodegradable Products Institute
Networking Break
Compostable Options Part II
Compostable bioplastic gains momentum in Brazil's food packaging industry
The use of compostable bioplastic packaging in food production lines has gained traction in Brazil, with some early adopters and success cases, which will be presented by ERT´s CEO, Kim Gurtensten Fabri.
One notable example is stand-up pouches, commonly multi-layered materials that can be transitioned to compostable bioplastic packaging in several applications. Other examples are delivery and supermarket thermoformed single-use packaging, significantly reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, the natural food and supplements industry has shown a substantial interest in adopting more sustainable packaging solutions that align with the brands' purpose and product offerings.
Kim Gurtensten Fabri | Presidente, Earth Renewable Technologies
Panel: Improving Packaging Sustainability
This panel will address sustainable packaging supply chains, sustainability innovations, market drivers for sustainable packaging, experiences in consumer education and more. How are brands choosing their materials? What innovation solutions are they looking for? What innovations are there outside of standard food and beverage packaging?

Panelists coming soon!
Presentations Coming Soon!
Closing Remarks
Registration and Welcome
Opening Remarks
Brittany Onslow | Head of Events - Americas, Smithers
Keynote Coming Soon!
Session I: Market Trends and Future Outlook for Sustainable Packaging in Latin America
Presentation Coming Soon!
What does the future hold for sustainable packaging?
Traditionally, packaging models have followed a linear economy approach to production and disposal. This assumes a product is made, used and disposed. However, a growing focus on the ecological impacts of packaging has driven players up and down the supply chain to focus on development of more sustainable packaging. But it can be difficult to even define exactly what is meant by sustainable, let alone enact measures aimed at improving this dynamic. This definition is key to identifying the long-term outlook and key factors that will impact sustainable packaging moving into the future. This presentation will provide insights on the market, factors impacting demand, and a high-level overview of:
•           How sustainable packaging is defined.
•           Economic and regulatory impact factors
•           An overview of sustainable materials
•           Regional variations
•           Market forecasts
•           Major takeaways
Benjamin Trent | Managing Consultant, Smithers
Networking Break
Session II: Circular Economy
The future of packaging is circular enabled by adhesives
Innovative, sustainable packaging for consumer goods products is becoming more prevalent in the global marketplace. Do you know the impacts for the South American packaging market?
Learn more about how:
  • Value chains are shifting from a linear economy to a circular economy to achieve the universal goal of protecting human health and the environment
  • Local trends and important legislative changes are impacting how consumer goods products are packaged
  • Change is being achieved via specific examples of adhesive innovation and value chain collaboration.

Elizabeth Staab | Global Strategic Marketing Manager, H.B. Fuller
Panel Discussion with Sun Chemical, ISOI, Cardia Bioplastics and Futamura
Sun Chemical, ISOI, Cardia Bioplastics and Futamura have established a commercial alliance with the aim of promoting home compostable flexible packaging technology in LATAM. By utilizing an aligned supplier base as the foundation, the alliance aims to provide an accessible, scalable, regulatory compliant, and validated range of solutions to guide brand owners and converters towards sustainable packaging. This will enable brands to meet their sustainability goals within their committed timelines, while simultaneously launching a product that performs to required standards and fits within their existing supply chain, from Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina/Chile. The response from the market has been highly positive with effective product development.
Expected outcomes:
  • Enable state of the art home compostable technology to a region of the world that is eager for sustainable solutions.
  • Alignment of supply chain to ensure supply resiliency.
  • Development of specialized compostable packaging solutions for niche markets across the region.
  • Connect the LATAM flexible packaging manufacturing industry with American and European demand.
  • Ensure overall regulatory compliance of developments with strictest compostability standards.
  • Allow brands to reach their sustainable packaging goals with a consistent, scalable and proven solution.
           
Moderator: Viviana Sayegh | Technical Director for Latin America, Sun Chemical
 
Panelists Include:
Session III: Regulatory Updates
Sustainability Regulations and Claims for USA
Session IV: The Importance of LCAs
Achieving Packaging Sustainability Goals and the Critical Importance of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Achieving ambitious environmental sustainability goals is a priority for every member of the value chain as they face increased pressure from consumers, NGOs, lawmakers, as well as industry peers. This is particularly true in the pulp and paper packaging industry, which is characterized by high energy, water, and emission intensity throughout the production process. Companies can make great strides by conducting a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), which will help them better understand the total environmental impact of their packaging and provide a benchmark to set targets and make operational changes to improve sustainability metrics. This includes data on global warming potential, acidification, and water use – important reference points for all major stakeholders when evaluating potential partners.
Nate Pajka | Sustainability Manager, Metsӓ Board, Americas
Networking Lunch
Session V: Improving Recycle Rates and Infrastructure in Latin America
Panel: Improving the Recycling Infrastructure in Latin America
Panelists Include:
Networking Break
Session VI: Paper Based Innovations and Alternative Fibres
Presentations Coming Soon!
Welcome Reception
Session V: Regulations for Plastics and Redefining Plastic Recyclability
Presentation Coming Soon!
Networking Break
Session VI: Chemical Recycling, Certifications and Food Contact Materials
Chemical Recycling doesn't make sense.....
.......or does it? Why is chemical recycling in "fashion"? Why do we need to spend energy breaking polymer molecules instead of reducing or mechanically recycle plastics? I'll use this talk to explain chemical recycling from A to Z and will give a summary of the state of the art in the subject, specially in the area of pyrolysis.
Carlos Ludlow-Palafox | CEO, Enval
Economía circular de los plásticos. Oportunidades y Certificaciones
Panel: Recycled Materials for Food Contact
Panelists Coming Soon!
Welcome Reception
Registration and Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
Session VII: Brand Updates on Sustainability Goals
Can profitability and sustainability go hand in hand?
There are three key sustainability trends that will be critical for the success of businesses in the near future. These trends include the circular economy, technological innovation, and transparency and accountability. The article cites several studies from reputable sources, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Inter-American Development Bank, Accenture, the CDP, and KPMG, that demonstrate the economic benefits of investing in sustainable practices. By implementing these trends, companies can improve their resilience, profitability, and reputation. The article concludes that strategic investment in these sustainability trends can create a positive impact on business results, and will be crucial for developing a transparent and honest relationship with stakeholders in a sophisticated and interconnected market.
Alberto Contardo-Sfeir | Co-Founder and CEO, Empaque Sustentable
Presentation Coming Soon!
Networking Break
Session VIII: Packaging Trends and Consumer Influence
Panel: Packaging Innovation Rundown
This panel will take 10 minutes for each innovative packaging company to explain their initiatives and products, then come together for a 30 minute Q&A with the audience.

Panelists Include:
Design for Recycling – How your product decoration can make a difference!
Labels and sleeves are a small, but essential part of the packaging when it comes to actually recycling the packaging. This s a small guide to sustainable label solutions that will boost recycling rates in the future and comply with the new EPR regulations in many countries and other legislation changes in the future. Re-use, reduce, recycle – with the right label!
Marika Knorr | Head of Sustainability, CCL Label
Networking Lunch
Session IX: EPR Updates
Panel: Collaboration Needed for EPR
Session X: Reuse and Refill
Presentation Coming Soon!
Closing Remarks