Confirmed Speakers

Pre-Conference Workshops

Principles & Concepts of Biobased and Biodegradable Materials, Carbon and Environmental Footprint
Dr. Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor
Michigan State University

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conference program

Practical Tools for Characterizing & Understanding Product Performance in Biopolymers
Dr. Jim Valentine, Dr. Joseph Schroeder, and Jed Randall
NatureWorks LLC

Keynote Speakers

Environmental Sustainability

Dave Haft, Group VP Sustainability & Productivity
Frito-Lay Inc., A Division of Pepsico

Dave Haft, Group Vice President of Sustainability and Productivity joined Frito-Lay in 1984 after eleven years of Consulting Engineering in Milwaukee, WI. Dave spent eight years in HQ Engineering where he led the design and construction of five new manufacturing plants and several distribution centers. Dave then moved to Field Operations where he served as Manufacturing Manager in San Antonio, Operations Director in Michigan, Sr. Operations Director in Chicago (Heartland) and Vice President of Operations for the Central Division. For the past seven years, Dave has led Operations Productivity, Quality Assurance, Food Safety/Sanitation, Environmental Compliance and Resource Conservation, and Manufacturing Operations Support for FLNA. Dave also has responsibility for Service and Distribution, including Warehouse, Traffic, Fleet and Sales Operations. Lean Six Sigma and Autonomous Maintenance are led by Dave’s team, as well. For two years, Dave has led the Environmental Sustainability initiatives for Frito-Lay.

Strategies for the Green Economy

Joel Makower, Chairman / Executive Editor
Greener World Media, Inc.

Joel Makower is a leading author and voice on the greening of mainstream business. He is executive editor GreenBiz.com and other popular web sites, research, and conferences on the greening of mainstream business produced by Greener World Media, of which he is co-founder and chairman. He hosts GreenBiz.com’s annual State of Green Business Forum as well as Greener By Design, an annual conference focusing on green product design. Joel also serves as senior strategist at GreenOrder, a sustainability strategy firm; co-founder of Clean Edge, a cleantech research firm; and senior advisor to VantagePoint Venture Partner’s cleantech fund. Joel, who writes the popular blog, “Two Steps Forward,” is author of more than a dozen books, including his latest, Strategies for the Green Economy (2008). The Associated Press has called him "The guru of green business practices."

Plenary Sessions (track 1)

USDA and BioPreferred, Creating Markets for Biopolymers

Ron Buckhalt, BioPreferred Program Manager
USDA BioPreferred

Ron Buckhalt is Director of USDA’s BioPreferred program, a mandatory Federal procurement program that requires all Federal agencies to buy and use biobased products designated by USDA. He has over 40 years of communications and public policy experience, having worked as a Congressional Press Secretary, executive branch political appointee, public relations executive, communications consultant, lobbyist, radio and television newscaster, and video producer. As CEO of his own consulting firm, he provided legislative, public relations, educational, and management services to many small business clients and the federal government. For the last 17 years, he has been a USDA advocate for biobased industrial products made from agricultural materials. In 1969 he earned a degree in journalism from Auburn University.

ABSTRACT: BioPreferred is a Federal program designed to harness the purchasing power of the Federal government to develop markets for biobased products by requiring Federal agencies to purchase and use such products. Additionally BioPreferred is required by law to develop a consumer label for biobased products which will become effective in 2010.

Innovation and Stonyfield Farm's Path to Sustainability

Rolf Carlson, VP of Sourcing & Product Development
Stonyfield Farm

Rolf Carlson has 25 years experience in dairy and consumer packaged goods. Rolf joined Stonyfield 4 years ago and since then has been leading their packaging and ingredient sustainability initiatives.

Product Carbon Footprinting

Sujeesh Krishnan, Head of Footprinting
Carbon Trust LLC

Sujeesh is responsible for the Carbon Trust’s product carbon footprinting and labeling initiatives in the Americas. He is coordinating work with leading manufacturers and retailers and is working with key government bodies, NGOs, and think tanks around the development of standards. Sujeesh has worked at Ernst Young, GetConnected Inc. a digital services aggregator, and i2 Technologies Inc., a supply chain solutions provider. Sujeesh holds a B.E. (Honors) in Mechanical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, a M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a MBA from the MIT-Sloan.

ABSTRACT: The presentation will discuss the evolving product carbon footprinting space from the perspective of what it is, why it is important, what the emerging methodologies are, and what the Carbon Trust is doing in this space.

Bioplastics - An NGO View

Jeff Malcolm, Program Officer, Supply Chains
World Wildlife Fund

Jeff works in WWF’s agriculture department where he assists companies on sustainable supply chain issues. This includes relationship management, evaluating supply chain risks and recommending prioritization of sustainability projects. Jeff has been at WWF for two years and, in the role of Research and Development, was part of the team that created WWF’s global corporate research and strategy. Jeff has a Master’s degree in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration and an International MBA from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and Daniels College of Business.

Product Claims - FTC and the Green Guidelines

Martha Marrapese, Partner
Keller and Heckman

Martha Marrapese joined Keller and Heckman in 1992. Ms. Marrapese focuses on emerging technologies in the industrial chemicals, antimicrobial pesticides, and food packaging sectors.

Ms. Marrapese facilitates the registration of new technologies in the global economy with a particular emphasis on polymer, biotechnology, and nanotechnology applications. Ms. Marrapese has an expertise in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and its counterparts in Canada, the European Union, and China. She offers counsel on right-to know laws such as Proposition 65, and assists companies with product defense and obligations arising out of the testing of chemicals in commerce. She currently serves as a U.S. delegate to the TC-229 150 Committee on Nanotechnologies and chairs Working Group 1, Nomenclature and Terminology, for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to TC-229.

In 2008, Ms. Marrapese received the LexisNexis® Martindale Hubble® peer review rating CV®, indicating above average legal ability and unquestionable ethics.

Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Ms. Marrapese was on staff with the EPA's Solid Waste office, served as law clerk for administrative appeals to the Chief Judicial Officer of the EPA, and worked as a legislative aide for environmental matters on Capitol Hill during the Reagan Administration.

Ms. Marrapese has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in legal services. In addition, she was selected to receive the 2009 American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Next Generation Leadership and Service Award.

Opportunities Abound for LOHAS

Ted Ning, Executive Director
LOHAS

Ted Ning is the Executive Director of the LOHAS Conference, Executive Editor of the LOHAS Journal and www.lohas.com. Ted promotes the expansion and awareness of this marketplace and is in a unique position to examine trends and is able to identify overlapping interests from various LOHAS market sectors. He is also able to provide perspective about how responsible business practice should be presented and branded to the consumer. Furthermore, he can provide case study examples of companies that have transformed their business operations to become ‘green’ which have resulted in profitability and healthier work environments. Ted has been with LOHAS for 6 years and has been invited to speak internationally about the market to Universities, private and public companies and other business conferences. He is a contributing writer to various national and international business publications including Spa Business, American Spa magazine and Organic Style Taiwan. He also serves on several boards promoting sustainability, organic living and micro-credit enterprises.

Ted grew up in the mountains of Colorado where his family developed a nonprofit that helps impoverished women in Vietnam and Guatemala through micro credit financing and currently has over 5,000 loans in the field. He has been involved in community outreach and nonprofit work from a young age. He has a Masters degree in adult education. He has lived overseas in Asia where he assisted in nonprofit work and studied Chinese. He also lived in Japan and was a ski coach during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. He and his wife currently reside outside of Boulder Colorado where he walks his talk; he rides his bike to work, is a member of a community supported organic farm where he gets his meals, recycles and composts to reduce their waste, and lives in a green built home powered by solar.

ABSTRACT: The LOHAS Market continues to Lead Innovation in turbulent times. Yet how can we get mainstream consumers to adopt conscious consumer behaviors. Learn what the touch points are for LOHAS consumers and hear of successful and failed attempts to connect with them and the overlap with mainstream.

ASTM New Resin Identification Codes

Dan Sawyer, Director - Asia-Pacific
NatureWorks LLC

Dan Sawyer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Since joining the company in 1995, Dan has worked in most technical positions in the organization, including roles in quality assurance and production before joining the applications development group. Dan’s fiber development work led to leading the fiber applications development group, in addition to supporting Japanese fiber and packaging customers. In 2003, Dan took a three-year expatriate assignment which grew into a broader role helping develop the Asian customer base for NatureWorks LLC.

After a year spent developing a technical support team in Asia, Dan assumed leadership of the Asia Pacific Commercial and Technical organization in August of 2009 and has recently added to his responsibilities leading the Bottles Business in North America. Dan has spoken domestically and internationally on topics ranging from fiber applications to sustainability in conferences such as the World Petrochemical Review, Inda, International Fiber Producer’s Conference, IUPAC, Japan Biodegradable Polymer Society and various technical training seminars in Chinese industry groups and Universities. Dan has also been NatureWorks LLC’s lead involved with ASTM’s adoption of the resin identification codes, working to add a new code for PLA.

The Bioplastic Council: Its Mission & Actions

Frederic Scheer
CEO - Cereplast
Chair - SPI Bioplastics Council

CEO of Cereplast, Founder of BPI; 2010 Chair of SPI Bioplastic Council: Involved in bioplastics since 1994 with Novamont & NatureWorks. Associated with Sydney 2000 Olympics, Salt Lake City 2002. Ph.D, MBA

Additives Approaches to Tailoring Ingeo Performance (track 2)

Acrylic Modification Enabling PLA to Advance Into Challenging Applications

Zuzzana Cygan, Research Scientist - Sustainability Additives
Arkema, Inc.

Zuzanna Cygan, Research Scientist in Arkema’s Sustainability Additives Division. Zuzanna received her PhD from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology before joining Arkema. She is the lead scientist in the bioresins modification group at Arkema and has worked on developing the Biostrength® product line of additives for degradable polyesters.

ABSTRACT: The inherent miscibility of PLA with acrylics can be leveraged to create synergies, impart new properties and expand the range of applications available to this bioresin. At low concentrations, acrylics can be used as additives in PLA to impact toughen, increase melt strength and melt extensibility, improve metal release, and help compatiblize blends with other thermoplastics. As the level of acrylic is increased, transparent PLA/acrylic blends can be formed that feature increased chemical resistance and high impact properties. This presentation will highlight new developments from Arkema’s Sustainability Additives and Altuglas International groups in the areas of PLA resin modification and novel PLA alloys.

PLA à la carte

Daniel Ganz, Business Development Manager
Sukano Products Ltd

Daniel Ganz has a degree in chemical engineering and business administration. He possesses more than 25 years of experience in marketing, processing and development of thermoplastic polyester. Today he is business development manager of Sukano, a producer of functional and optical masterbatches and compounds focused on thermoplastic polyesters and biopolymers. With production locations in Switzerland, USA and in Malaysia, Sukano offers products and technical service on a world wide basis.

ABSTRACT: Rooted firmly in the development of functional masterbatches, today the Sukano team has built up a high level of technical expertise, focused in particular on functional and optical enhanced masterbatches and compounds. By developing a wide range of masterbatches designed for use with biodegradable PLA, Sukano has ensured that these renewable bioproducts can be ideally adapted for numerous film and sheet applications. This list is most comprehensive and includes a PLA product portfolio offering products that provide excellent slip performance for easy destacking, antistatic properties, low adhesion, controlled crystallization to improve thermal resistance and UV content protection.

Sukano’s portfolio of masterbatches for visual enhancement includes pigments and soluble colorants, both white and black, and two concentrates for transparent or opaque PLA applications. In addition, Sukano will introduce the benefits of a new enhanced innovative impact modifier while protecting the transparency and compostability performance in a film application.

The new SUKANO BIOLOY range of compounds for PLA compounds and blends are targeted for the injection molding market. These blends can be enhanced by improving the impact strength and processing of PLA during injection molding while maintaining the optical properties. The performance data

Investigation of Nucleating Agents for PLA Resin

Michiya Hiei, Technical Sales Manager - North America & Europe
Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd.

Mr. Michiya Hiei is a critical member of Takemoto’s 5th Division, Polymer Additives. During the last 12 years his R&D work has been primarily focused on the development of functional "value" additives that meet PE, PP and PET food packaging and engineered resin market requirements.

Based on this fundamental knowledge of market needs and technical experience, Mr. Hiei leads the International Marketing and Customer Technical Support effort for Takemoto’s Polymer Additives Division in North America and Europe.

ABSTRACT: Exploring the improvement and modification of PLA physical and process properties to expand and advance end use performance. A specific focus of study is emphasized on affecting crystallinity to improve the strength, heat distortion, and reduced cycle times of PLA injection mold parts.

Oligomeric Epoxy-Functional Chain-Extenders as Enablers for PLA Processing, Enhanced Properties, and Novel Blends

Alex Sokolowski
BASF

Alex Sokolowski received his PhD in Chemistry from Texas A&M University. He then joined GE-Plastics. While at GE, he worked as and Analytical Chemist and Product Developer in the Noryl, Noryl-GTX, ABS, and the PC-ABS businesses. Alex’s work in Noryl-GTX was primarily focused on reactive compatibilization. While at GE Plastics (which became SABIC-IP, in 2007), Alex earned his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic. In 2008, Alex joined BASF as the Business Development Manager for Joncryl Functional Additives for plastics. Alex has 6 US patents and over 12 Articles in peer reviewed journals articles to his name.

ABSTRACT: This presentation describes the use of multi-functional epoxy additives which are compounded into PLA during melt processing to enhance the viscosity of the melt and improve mechanical properties in extruded articles. The additives react with PLA’s acid end-groups to impart branching and build the molecular weight of the material. The resultant PLA has higher viscosity and melt-strength and can be used in applications such as blown-film, foam, and paper-coating. The properties of the modified PLA demonstrate the increased molecular weight of the material by having improved mechanical properties like impact strength. The multi-functional epoxy additives can also be used to compatibilize otherwise immiscible polycondensate blends- affording the possibility of novel blends.

Promoting UV Flexo Ink Adhesion for PLA Film

Rory Wolf, VP Business Development and Technology Manager
Enercon Industries Corporation

Rory Wolf is the Vice President of Business Development at Enercon Industries Corporation, Menomonee, Falls, Wisconsin, USA. Mr. Wolf holds a Masters in Business Administration from Marquette University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Mr. Wolf has 27 years of experience within national and international positions in the plastics and packaging industries. He has specific experience in polymer-based flexible and rigid packaging, extruded and injection molded materials, polymer surface modification systems, corrugated packaging, point-of-sale display, folding carton, and electronic prepress industry segments.

His professional affiliations are as follows:

Division Council Chairman, PLACE Division, TAPPI\
Division Chairman, Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
Member, Society of Plastics Industry (SPI)

He has published 20 technical papers and 31 industry articles, and he has authored two books on the topics of Atmospheric Plasma Treatments for Converting and Textile Industries, and on Plastics Surface Modification for Adhesion.

ABSTRACT: UV flexo inks are becoming increasingly popular in flexible packaging and shrink sleeve applications, traditional markets for flexographic inks. Ever-increasing improvements in UV flexo print quality, low ink maintenance requirements, no solvents/high press stability, and the ability to produce a finished product on press in-line all contribute to converter considerations to invest in UV flexo. However, variables such as the amount of ink applied, the substrate absorbency, UV curing parameters and print speed can all propagate episodes of erratic adhesion of UV flexo inks. This paper will detail the results of appropriate surface pretreatment protocols in promoting the adhesion of UV flexo inks to PLA film in the absence of adhesion promoters.

New Ingeo-based Product Developments (track 3)

ECO2PUNCH Ingeo PLA Carpet: From Idea to COP15

Dirk De Saedeleir, Director Product Development
Sommer Needlepunch

Dirk is a Textile Engineer with a degree from Hogeschool Ghent in 1989 and a Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Vlerick Ghent-Leuven in 2006. He has held several positions in the textile industry including, Junior Manager of DS Profil (1990-1995); Sales & Production engineer DS Fibres (1995-1999); Member of the Board DS Textile Platform (1999-2010); and Group R&D leader DS Textile Platform (2000-2010). He also continues life long learning through courses in Quality Management, Corporate Governance, Finance & accounting, conflict management, and biotechnology. He also is an author and speaker of papers on biopolymers and their textile applications such as: Centexbel (Ghent, 2006), Flemish Government (Mechelen, 2007), European Bioplastics (Brussels, 2006), Chemiefasertagung Dornbirn (Dornbirn, 2006), RuG-INTB (Ghent, 2009).

ABSTRACT: During the Summer of 2004 a Belgian folk festival came in the news because, for the first time, they used biodegradable drinking cups. (1) The polymer used turned out to be PLA or Poly Lactic Acid. The question came up that if this kind of polymer could be transformed in a cup, why not also into a fibre and then into other textile materials. This idea was born independently of all work that had already been done elsewhere in the world.

DS Textile Platform is active in three business units namely extrusion of synthetic staple fibres (DS Fibres, Belgium), Needlepunched carpets (Sommer Needlepunch, France) and Technical Nonwovens (DS Technical Nonwoven, Belgium)

One of the main challenges, in our segment of the carpet industry, is waste management. Sommer Needlepunch is one of the market leaders in the ‘event’ carpet business. After the event, the carpet is mostly disposed off.

DS Fibres, mainly working for the Automotive industry, also had to re-invent itself through the use of recycled materials. In this case recycled PET Bottles. The RPET fibres are f.e. used in 3D structures. Because of our experience with PLA an increasing interest is also shown by the composite industry.

This presentation will try to bring an insight in some of the developments DS has done over the past five years.

Commercialized Products using Ingeo Resin and On-Pack Messaging

Roman Forowycz, Group President / Chief Marketing Officer
Clear Lam Packaging

Roman Forowycz is currently Chief Marketing Officer of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of specialty plastics used to package perishable goods. He manages operations in the United States and China. Over the last five years, Mr. Forowycz has worked closely with North American retailers and consumer packaged goods companies to bring to market the newest generation of environmentally friendly packaging technologies.

Mr. Forowycz was born in Chicago. He completed his Masters of Business Administration from Loyola University, Chicago. Mr. Forowycz began his professional career working for his family’s packaging business where he developed a broad base of experience with an emphasis in new product development. He has participated in various businesses ranging from start up companies funded by venture capital to consulting contracts with multi-national, publicly traded enterprises. During his career, Mr. Forowycz has traveled extensively throughout Western Europe, Eastern Europe and China.

ABSTRACT: Clear Lam develops and manufactures a variety of rigid and flexible packaging materials that incorporate Ingeo PLA. Over the last several years, processors and retailers have introduced many new consumer packages that incorporate Ingeo™ PLA. These consumer goods are packaged using thermoformed containers, flexible films and rigid rollstock. Various food and non-food items will be presented.

Communicating the value of renewable packaging materials has been a challenge. CPG's and retailers continue to study consumer understanding of environmentally friendly packaging initiatives and associated terms. Properly developed and substantiated claims are critical to convey value. Misleading claims should be identified and eliminated. The findings from a consumer study focusing on renewable versus recycled content messaging will be reviewed.

Marketing Green Food Serviceware: Opportunities & Challenges

Dave McIntosh
Fabri-Kal

Dave graduated from Northeastern Univ. in Boston and Univ. of New Hampshire, and began his plastics career with Monsanto in 1974. He’s been actively involved with new material, product and process development in both resin manufacturing and converting ever since. He joined Sweetheart Plastics in the ‘80’s, Huntsman (PS and EPS) in the ‘90’s and has been with Fabri-Kal since 2002. He was the overall project manager for the development and commercialization of Fabri-Kal’s Greenware® cold drink cup line, and continues to lead Fabri-Kal’s efforts to expand the range of bio-based and more sustainable materials and processes.

ABSTRACT: Combining lessons learned in the commercialization of PLA products with the history conventional plastics technology may give insight to the future growth path of bio-based materials and technology. New challenges will need to be addressed in how we measure and market sustainability, and deal with public misconceptions about packaging and waste. Is biodegradability a good thing or not?

Bioplastics in Sony Products

Hiroyuki Mori, Senior Eco-products Producer
Material Laboratories, Sony Corporation

Hiroyuki Mori obtained a Master of Engineering in mechanical engineering in 1986 at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. In 1986 he joined Sony Corp., where he worked on mechanical designing. In 1999 he started to work at R&D division of environmental technology, and was involved in applying bioplastics to electronics products as a project leader. He has now served as a Senior eco-Products producer, promoting to create future eco-products.

ABSTRACT: Application history in Sony products; Requirements as consumer electronics; Collaboration with other companies.

High Heat Ingeo Advancements From Spartech

Tim Dawsey, PhD.,Sr. Director of Technology
Spartech

Tim Dawsey is the Sr. Director of Technology for Spartech Corporation. He received his PhD in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has worked in the plastics industry for over thirty years in the areas of polymer synthesis, formulation, and processing. He has been active in the promoting of environmentally responsible technologies from the development of biodegradable synthetic-based copolymers and the processing of PLA based sheet and rollstock, to cellulose derivatization and polyester recycling.

Advances in Ingeo Fibers & Nonwovens (track 4)

Meltblown Ingeo Nonwovens for the Filtration Industry

Dr. Gajanan S. Bhat, Professor Materials Science & Engineering
The University of Tennessee

After earning his MS and Ph.D. from Georgia Tech, Dr. Bhat accepted a position at Image Carpets, Rome, GA where he was responsible for conversion of recycled PET into fibers for carpets. He then joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in August 1990, where his research covers nonwovens - melt blown, spunbonded and biodegradable, plastics recycling, high performance fibers, and nanotechnology. At UTK, Dr. Bhat has been responsible for setting up nanofiber manufacturing capability, and developing nanoparticle incorporated functional nonwovens. He has also conducted research at Edwards Air Force Base, CA on specialty fibers, and NASA/MSFC on multifunctional composites. Dr. Bhat has published 175 papers, made more than 175 research presentations in international meetings, and has two US patents. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted as an Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni by the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech in 1996; received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Fiber Society in 1999; in 2005, he was elected as a Fellow of the Textile Institute; and in 2008, he received the TechniTex India Research Achievement Award. He is the president of the Fiber Society and is an active member of INDA and the Textile Institute. In addition to his academic research, he has worked closely with many small and medium businesses.

ABSTRACT: Melt blown fabrics are one of the fastest growing nonwovens groups with total worldwide production of over 110 million pounds. Of these, almost one fifth are used as filtration products, making filtration one of the largest segments within the melt blown nonwovens. A large share of the melt blown filtration media is produced from polypropylene (PP). Since most of the filter products have a relatively shorter useful life, a biodegradable/compostable alternative will be attractive.

Ingeo, a biodegradable or compostable Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) polymer, was studied with PP as control in the melt blowing process. PLA exhibits properties similar to that of PP when melt blown, with hydrostatic head, air permeability, tensile strength, fiber diameters, pore sizes etc. being comparable to that of meltblown PP. PLA showed a significant dependence of strength, basis weight, pore size, air permeability, and hydrostatic head on die-to-collector distance, air pressure and collector vacuum. This study clearly showed that PLA can be successfully converted into melt blown nonwoven webs with useful properties using a traditional melt blowing line. PLA can be a possible replacement for common non-biodegradable polymers such as PP. Further research is continuing to optimize the processing conditions, and to enhance performance properties.

The Power of PLA in Specialty Fibers

Dr. Jeff Dugan,Co-Founder
Fiber Innovation Technology, Inc.

Bachelor's degree, Chemical Engineering, NCSU, Master's degree, Textile Chemistry, NCSU.
Springs Industries R&D, BASF Fibers R&D, Co-Founder & VP Research, FIT, President, Cha Research. Numerous publications and 45 US patents.

ABSTRACT: PLA is an exceptionally versatile polymer in fiber applications. This is even more true when it is used in combination with a speciality-fiber focus. Highlighted are fiber applications as diverse as thermal bonding, synthetic suede, and moisture management.

Advances in the Surface Modification of PLA Fibers

Chris Hagler, R&D Manager
Goulston Technologies, Inc.

Studied chemistry and physics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Have spent the last 15 years in research and development of surface modification technology for synthetic fibers in the area of staple fibers, nonwovens, and films.
Co-operatively worked to develop durable hydrophilic surface treatment for PET/Cotton that provides enhanced softness. Patent is pending for application in consumer laundry additive market.

ABSTRACT: The processing of synthetic fibers requires surface protection and surface modifications to enhance the desired performance properties. Each application requires a specific surface modification by polymer additive or topical treatment to achieve results such as hydrophilic properties, antistatic properties, tactile properties, hydrophobic properties, etc. This presentation will discuss the technical capabilities and expertise of Goulston Technologies, Inc. in this area. We will focus on the requirements of PLA and the current areas of product development. We will also focus on how surface modification will assist in the growth of the PLA fibers in a variety of applications.

Development of the Next Generation of Renewable Nonwovens for Agricultural and Disposable Hygiene Applications

Dr. Larry C. Wadsworth, Chief Technical Officer
U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Industry Ltd.

Dr. Wadsworth received his bachelor’s degree in Textile Chemistry from N. C. State University in 1968; M.S. in Textile Technology from the Institute of Textile Technology in 1970; and his Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science from N. C. State University in 1978. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee (UT) in 1981, he worked for 7 years in the nonwovens industry for Kendall (now BBA Nonwovens) and Johnson & Johnson (now PGI). He was the founding Director of UT’s TANDEC and consulted for several international companies. Dr. Wadsworth is the recipient of the 1993 TAPPI Nonwovens Technical Achievement Award and of the INDA 2008 Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. He was also Chair of the TAPPI Nonwovens Division from 2007-2009. In August 2007, Dr. Wadsworth took early retirement from UT, was appointed Emeritus Professor and joined U.S. Pacific Nonwovens as Chief Technical Director.

ABSTRACT: Development of the Next Generation of Renewable Nonwovens for Agricultural - The long term goals of this USDA multi-university Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) project are to assess agricultural, ecological, and economic consequences of using biodegradable mulches (BDMs) in protected (high tunnel and low tunnel) specialty crop production systems. It is believed that nonwoven materials such as spunbond and meltblown nonwovens comprised of PLA or blends of PLA have sufficient attributes to serve as the next generation of BDMs.

Disposable Hygiene Applications - Polymer compositions of 100% PLA and blends of PLA with PHB were melt blown (MB) at Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville, WI, to produce 50 g/m2 MB wipe substrates. At the U.S. Pacific Nonwovens factory and R&D Center in Dongguan, China, they are being exposed for up to 20 weeks in: 1) a typical wipes cleansing solution, 2) river water, 3) river mud, and 4) a compost of silt, sand and cow manure. Fabric samples are being taken every four weeks for weight, thickness, and strength properties and biodegradation is being further studied using SEM, DSC and GPC analyses.

BioWeb™ - The Renewable Option

Ray Volpe, Technology Director
Ahlstrom

Ray Volpe is the Technology Director for Ahlstrom's Advanced Nonwovens Business Area. Ray has over 20 years experience in food packaging product development, beginning his career with International Paper at their Corporate Research Center exploring bio-based sustainable polymers. During his time at Ahlstrom Nonwovens, Ray has held various technical leadership positions including Director of Product Development for the Food Product Line. In the last several years Ray has been focused on the process design and product development leading to the introduction of Ahlstrom's PLA-based Nonwovens.

Ray graduated with a PhD. in Chemistry from the University at Albany and has held various research positions at the University of Florida and Polytechnic University.

Blending Approaches to Tailoring Ingeo Performance (track 5)

A New Impact Modifier Masterbatch for PLA with Improved Toughness and Clarity

Greg Anderson, Technical Manager, Bioplastics
Teknor Apex Company

MS Plastics Engineering, Umass Lowell. BS Chemistry Washington College.
16 Years with Teknor Apex holding positions of Technical Manager Bioplastics, Technical Manager Thermoplastic Elastomers (VT Plant), Senior Chemist (RI), Lab Manager (MA), Lab Manager PVC Color, Assistant Lab Manager Teknor Color Company (MA).

ABSTRACT: A new impact modifier for PLA is offerred in a masterbatch. Compared with existing impact modifiers for extruded sheet, the impact toughness is much higher and the haze is lower. The improved efficiency allows for either less to be used for the same toughness or use the same amount for much higher toughness. The masterbatch is in pellet form allowing users to blend with PLA pellets for a consistent loading of impact modifier. The masterbatch is designed to meet the rigorous requirements of low color, low moisture, and consistency.

Blending with Ingeo Biopolymers for Enhanced Properties

Roger Avakian, VP Scientific Development
PolyOne Corporation

Is responsible for developing strategic technology “breakthroughs”.
PolyOne’s first Chief Technology Officer from PolyOne’s formation in September 2000, to May 2007.
20 years at GE Plastics in technical management and technology, including an assignment in Europe.
Successfully led the commercialization of several polymer blends (Noryl GTX®) and plastics additives (Genox®).
Master Black Belt in the Six Sigma quality methodology and has over 54 issued U.S. patents, with over 6 pending U.S. patent applications.
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego.

ABSTRACT: PolyOne has developed and launched a PLA-based product line called reSound™ with enhanced properties over pure PLA. Two platforms are in commercialization that demonstrate robustness to tailor for specific needs in durable applications in autotomotive, consumer, and electronics. The breath of processes has been explored as well in injection molding, sheet/film production, and thermoforming. Additionally plasticized formulations are being explored for end uses requiring flexibility and resilience.

Blends of PLA and Polyhydroxy Butyrate (PHBV)

Dr. James Lunt, VP Sales & Marketing
Tianan Biologic Co. Ltd.

40+ years in the plastics industry. PhD in Materials Science
18 years in the emerging bioplastics industry (USA, Europe, Asia, Oceania)
Founding member of Cargill Dow / NatureWorks LLC - polylactic acid technology

Global Director of Product & Applications Development
Director of New Business Development based in Hong Kong

Recipient of the Presidential Green Chemistry Award in 2002
Invited keynote speaker worldwide
Inventor on more than 18 patents
Author of several publications including “Advances in Biopolymers” published by Momentum Press
Managing Director, Jim Lunt & Associates, LLC - Established 2006

Clients cover the spectrum of brand owners, converters and manufacturers of new and emerging biopolymer materials

ABSTRACT: PLA polymers are the dominant bioderived plastics in the emerging Biopolymers field. While many applications are in the single use or semi durable sectors, PLA is also moving into more durable products. One area of concern for many applications is the low heat performance of PLA. PHBV is a natural polymer, produced by microorganisms using natural sugars as the feedstock. This natural polyester is known to crystallize rapidly and provide materials which have a high crystalline melting point and heat distortion temperature, particularly in injection molding products. This higher heat performance is also observed in blends with PLA even at levels below 50%. This presentation will cover the property spectrum that can be achieved by the use of such blends.

High Performance Biopolymers via Compounding

Steve Maki, Vice President Technology
RTP Company

Steve Maki is the Vice President of Technology for the RTP Company. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota and has been formulating engineered thermoplastic compounds for over 26 years.

ABSTRACT: Because of their inherent low strength, impact resistance, and thermal performance; most biopolymers have typically been limited for use in lower demanding commodity applications. By using compounding to add reinforcements or alloy with other polymers, one can significantly improve the physical performance of the bio-based polymers to the point that many can now compete with fossil fuel based polymers in highly engineered applications. This presentation will explore how Ingeo PLA and bio-based polyamides & polyesters can be engineered for high performance programs.

Compounded Solutions for Injection Molding of Semi-durable Goods with High Bio Content, High Impact Strength and Good Heat Resistance

Jed Randall, Sr. Research Scientist
NatureWorks LLC

With more than 18 years experience with Ingeo™ at NatureWorks, Jed has developed expertise in polymer structure / properties relationships, polymer chemistry, materials science, polymer processing and product development. He has led several major initiatives over his career including projects in Thermal Analysis and development of new Ingeo grades for extrusion foam and injection molding. Jed has dual degrees in chemistry and biology.

ABSTRACT: As the biopolymer market continues to mature, there is a growing demand for durable and semi-durable applications that require heat resistance. While orientation processes, such as biaxial oriented films or oriented fibers, easily facilitate PLA crystallization, enabling heat resistance above the polymer Tg, historically the injection molding cycle times of PLA based semi-crystalline formulations have been long, due to the inherently slow crystallization rate of the polymer. Recent advances in crystallization nucleating agents and crystal growth accelerants have been shown to improve the rate of crystallization during injection molding to much more competitive cycle times. Two examples of semi-crystalline injection molding resins, optimized for cycle time improvement, heat resistance and impact strength will be discussed, as tangible examples of the many possible attainable properties that can be achieved through compounding of additives. As the future for Ingeo biopolymer in durable and semi-durable applications unfolds, many new opportunities and challenges for the industry will unveil. Advances in formulation and compounding technology will play a significant role to meet those challenges.

Cradle-to-Cradle (track 6)

A New Paradigm for Recovery & Re-use

Mike Centers, President
BioCor

Mike Centers is a 20 year recycling industry veteran and founder of Titus Maintenance and Installations Services, Inc., an industry leader in the installation of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF’s) and in supplying MRF maintenance services in the western U.S. He was also President of CMMA, LLC, a California based consulting services provider. While president of CMMA, Centers advised on the California Bottle Bill and Assembly Bill 32, wrote grants for several single stream MRF’s in California, and provided input to California’s Department of Conservation and the California chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. Centers has also been in general management positions with TOMRA Pacific in Fremont California, Strategic Materials, Inc., of Hayward, California and Allwaste Environmental Services of Houston.

ABSTRACT: PLA is one of the fastest growing resins in the packaging industry. Given the packaging sales are increasing it follows that this material will end up in post consumer recycling streams. BioCor is interested in purchasing this material from recyclers and recycling it via lactic acid to PLA or lactic acid to other end use markets.

A Unique Cradle-to-Cradle approach for PLA - "LOOPLA"

Steve De Jonghe
Galactic

ABSTRACT: LOOPLA is a new process based on a chemical recycling of PLA back into lactic acid. Starting from used PLA, the process includes a pretreatment to prepare the PLA before entering into a reactor where the product is hydrolyzed back into a crude lactic acid. After a couple of purifications, lactic acid is obtained and can be recycled to make a virgin PLA with a yield close to 100%.

This efficiency is unique in the general plastic world. It allows justifying PLA when using LOOPLA as its end of life option, not as a simple biodegradable plastic but as a BIORENEWABLE plastic.

LOOPLA, as a end-of-life option, opens the doors of the Cradle-to-Cradle concept for all the PLA applications.

Environmentally Degradable Plastic Packaging and Disposable Food Serviceware - An Evaluation

Joseph P. Greene, Ph.D., Professor
California State University, Chico

Dr. Joe Greene is a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Mechatronic Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Department. He received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1993 from the University of Michigan. Joe began teaching in August of 1998 after a 14-year career with General Motors Corporation in Detroit, Michigan. His research interests include compostable and biodegradable polymers, recycled plastics, composting technology, anaerobic digestion, and biodiesel technology.

ABSTRACT: Plastic packaging and food serviceware can be more sustainable by using biobased plastics. Use of biobased plastics can reduce the carbon footprint and solid waste during production of plastic containers. Life cycle assessment can compare the carbon emissions and waste generation in plastics manufacturing while producing biobased plastic containers. The environmental impact of plastic packaging with biobased plastic content is less than with plastic packaging that is produced from virgin plastics. Plastic containers with biobased plastics emit less carbon dioxide, consume less energy, and produce less waste than plastic containers with virgin plastics. Use of biobased plastics can provide carbon credits for plastic manufacturing companies.

Biobased Performance Alternatives to Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging

Mario Grenier, VP & General Manager
Dyne-a-Pak

Mr. Grenier graduated from the University of Sherbrooke as a Chemical Engineer and obtained a business administration certificate from the McGill University in Montreal. He worked 3 years for Union Carbide in the petrochemical division, and 15 years for Wedco Moulded Products Inc., custom molder and manufacturer of lawn & garden and hardware products, as a technical manager, operations manager and general manager. He joined Dyne-A-Pak in 2005 as General Manager, to grow the company’s PS foam tray business in Canada and the northeast USA. He participated actively in the development of the new line of Ingeo foam meat trays, named Dyne-A-Pak Nature™.

ABSTRACT: The presentation will explain why a new line of Ingeo foam meat trays, named Dyne-A-Pak Nature, is a strong candidate to eventually replace conventional polystyrene foam trays in meat, produce and deli packaging. Advantages of these bio-based trays will be presented, as well as an overview of the driving forces, recycling trends and government regulations that are currently impacting polystyrene foam trays and foodservice containers. The presentation will explain why there seem to be a perfect fit between lightweight foam and an Ingeo biopolymer, to produce lightweight rigid packaging that are compostable and have a reduce environmental footprint.

Comprehensive Compostability Studies for SunChips Bag

Ashley Leidolf, Engineer, Packaging Sustainability and Advanced Materials Research
Frito Lay Research and Development

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Purdue University 2006
Product development engineer at Frito Lay R&D for 2 years enabling numerous product launches including Doritos Collisions, Cheetos Trax, and Doritos Late Night. For the past year, led end-of-life research on SunChips compostable packaging in preparation for 2010 launch.

ABSTRACT: Details on all end-of-life research studies conducted on SunChips compostable packaging. Research areas include: laboratory, home, and industrial compost environments.

Moderator, Cradle-to-Cradle Track

Brenda Platt, Co-Chair
Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative/ILSR

Brenda Platt is the co-director of the nonprofit Institute for Local Self-Reliance, based in Washington, DC. In her 24 years with ILSR, she has authored more than a dozen reports on all aspects of recycling. She is known for her work documenting recycling-based jobs and programs with the highest diversion levels. Her most recent report, Stop Trashing the Climate, documents that aiming for zero waste is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective strategies available for combating climate change. Ms. Platt currently co-chairs the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative and directs ILSR’s Sustainable Plastics project, which is evaluating the role compostable bioplastics can play in a zero waste economy. She has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the George Washington University. In 2004, she became a certified commercial compost facility operator in Maryland. She is a former Board member of the National Recycling Coalition, the Container Recycling Institute, and the GrassRoots Recycling Network. She is member of the U.S. Composting Council and sits on its Legislative Committee.

The Business Case for Green (track 7)

Toward a Leading Eco-Friendly Airline - ANA’s e-flights challenge

Mr. Munetaka Ohno, Manager CSR Promotion, Environment and Social Affairs
All Nippon Airways

Munetaka Ohno is the manager of CSR promotion, Environment and Social Affairs for All Nippon Airways (ANA) in Japan. ANA, founded in 1952, has been providing air transportation service for more than a half century with flight safety as our top priority. ANA group, carrying 47 million passengers per year as a core member of the Star Alliance, ranks 7th among the world’s airlines on its domestic routes and 12th overall in terms of revenue passengers.

ABSTRACT: Last October ANA Group implemented ‘e-flights (eco-trial flights)’ which aim to promote a strong ecological message and environmentally friendly products related to air travel as part of ANA Group’s environmental initiatives. In this ‘e-flights’ we introduced some 4 hundred-thousands of biomass plastic cups made from Ingeo bioplolymer, produced by NatureWorks LLC. This presentation will cover our e-flights experience as well as the carbon management initiatives of ANA Group which is the first business in the transport industry to be given the ECO-First Award by the Ministry of the Environment in Japan.

Moderator - Business Case for Green Track

Joel Makower, Chariman / Executive Editor
Greener World Media, Inc.

Marketing to Moms

Linda Naerheim, Chief Executive Officer, President and Co-Founder
Elements Naturals

Prior to becoming a new mom and starting Elements Naturals, Linda spent fifteen years working for a diverse group of companies in franchise sales, marketing communications, project management, and employee relations and recruitment. Linda gained her manufacturing knowledge while managing projects and streamlining operating procedures for the Clinical Manufacturing Department at Amgen, a leading human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry, and as a corporate recruiter for Thibiant, a privately held contract manufacturer with clients including Johnson and Johnson, Estee Lauder, California Baby, and Bath and Body Works. She now enjoys spending her time educating moms about what’s in their baby wipes and being a mom to her two daughters now 3 years and 18 months. Oh and in case you’re wondering who that cute baby is on our package; it’s her first daughter, Anja-Katrina (at 10 months), the inspiration behind the brand.

One Billion Ecotainers®: Changing the Game in Foodservice

Chris Roeder, Marketing Manager Food Service Business
International Paper

Chris Roeder has worked in various roles within International Paper’s packaging business for the past 15 years. Currently, Chris is the Business Development Manager for International Paper’s Foodservice Business. His specific responsibilities in this role include acting as an interface for International Paper Foodservice to customers and stakeholders to implement new packaging innovations, develop customer programs, and provide sustainable packaging solutions. He also represents the Foodservice Business on the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

Over the past four years, Chris has worked with customers to develop environmental packaging solutions, and consulted on sustainable platform development. He was responsible for developing go-to-market and commercial strategies for International Paper’s ecotainer® product line, an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional packaging.

Chris’ previous roles at International Paper include: International Product Manager, Beverage Packaging and Marketing Manager, Foodservice. Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently resides in Collierville, TN with his wife and three sons.

Chris most recently presented at the 2009 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, DC and the 2009 NACAS National Convention in Hawaii.

SunChips and the World's First Compostable Chip Bag

Carrie Walsh, Marketing Director - SunChips
Frito-Lay

Carrie Walsh is the Director of Marketing for the SunChips brand at Frito-Lay. She and her team are responsible for the development of the overall SunChips brand strategy, consumer communication, and in-store/customer programming. Her responsibilities also include leading the brand's efforts in the area of environmental sustainability. In her time working on the SunChips brand, she has helped to shape its sustainability journey, including building the 2008 campaign celebrating the use of solar energy at the SunChips manufacturing facility in Modesto, CA and the 2009 partnership between SunChips and the town of Greensburg, KS to rebuild this tornado-devastated town in an eco-friendly way. Most recently, Carrie has been leading the brand's efforts in developing and launching more sustainable packaging. In 2010, she and her team are excited to launch the World's First Compostable Chip Package on SunChips.

Prior to her time on the SunChips brand, Carrie has held various marketing and sales roles within Frito-Lay North America. She received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and her B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Brown University. She lives in Frisco, TX with her husband Dan and twin babies Grace and Daniel.

Sustainable Packaging - A Retailer's Viewpoint

Keely Wheaton, Sr. Packaging Engineer
Target Corporation

Keely Wheaton is a senior packaging engineer at Target Corporation. In her role she leads sustainable packaging efforts for consumable products while also having packaging engineer responsibilities within Target’s owned brand portfolio. Since joining Target she successfully collaborated to develop and implement a strategy to support sustainable packaging. She is focused on building proactive partnerships internally and externally to advance sustainable packaging at Target and within the industry. Prior to joining Target she was a packaging engineer for Kraft Foods. She has her B.S. in packaging from the University of Wisconsin – Stout.

Successful Integration of Ingeo into Existing Manufacturing Facilities: Panel Discussion (track 8)

David J. Fogarty, President
Plastic Engineering Associates Licensing, Inc.

David has a B.S.C. - Accounting from Bentley University in Boston, and an M.B.A. from Florida Atlantic University.

David began working in the family foamed plastics manufacturing business in the mid 1970's as a teenager. The family has been involved in thermoplastic foam manufacturing and process development for the last 50 years. They are the originators of the dominant process used for the extrusion of polystyrene and polyethylene foams world wide. David has in excess of 30 years of full time experience in the foamed polymer extrusion business and travels globally marketing, selling and servicing the food packaging and industrial insulation markets. His firm, Plastic Engineering, has some 55 world wide patents in polymeric foam processing, serving clients such as The Dow Chemical Company, General Motors, Volkswagen AG, Owens Corning Corp, Kimberly Clark Corporation, James River Paper, Sealed Air Corporation, Knauf Insulation GmbH, Kenaka Denka Petrochemicals, Japan Styrene Paper, Cargill, Honeywell, and a host of others.

For the past five years, David, his two equity partners (brothers Bill & Matt) and their small team have helped to co-develop and market a patented process technology (Turbo-Screws (R)) for the production of biodegradable foamed plastics intended for cold case food packaging applications. This break through technology makes use of a new bioplastic resin (Ingeo Poly Lactic Acid) that is produced by Cargill's NatureWorks LLC subsidiary in Blair, Nebraska.

David is married to Maureen (O'Shea) and they have three children, Mary (22), Kathy (20) & James (13). In his "spare time" David is and FAA certified commercial multi engine instrument pilot and a flight instructor for airplanes, seaplanes, and instruments. He will regularly fly himself and others across North America and Canada in the conduct of the firm's business, averaging over 450 hours in the air last year as pilot in command.

William B. Goldfarb, President
Universal Dynamics Inc.

Upon obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Business from Radford University, Bill has worked at Universal Dynamics in the positions Sales Engineer, Vice President of Integrated Systems and in 2007 became the company President.

Alberto E. Ramírez, VP & General Manger
Pallmann Industries, Inc.

Mr. Alberto E. Ramírez has over 13 years of experience working with processing industries in the plastics, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. He is presently VP-General Manager for Pallmann Industries, Inc, a US division of Pallmann responsible among other industries for the Plastics Recycling in North, Central, and South America. Prior to Pallmann he worked in the processing equipment business, founded Princeton Industrial Solutions, worked for Assettrade as business consultant in capital investment recovery for DuPont, and was responsible for international sales for Perry Videx and Universal Process Equipment.

Hayes Stripling, Vice President - Sales
Welex Inc.

Twenty five years of diverse experience in the plastics processing and machinery business.

Education

University of Texas, Austin, MBA – Finance
Texas A&M University, BS – Chemical Engineering

Experience

2009 – Present: Welex Incorporated, Blue Bell, PA, Vice President – Sales
2006 – 2009: Sunwell USA, Taiwan, General Manager
1992 – 2006: Cincinnati Milacron, Batavia, OH, Product Manager
1987 – 1992: Welex Incorporated, Blue Bell, PA, Chief Engineer
1983 – 1987: Permian Research Incorporated, Big Spring, TX, Chief Engineer

Karl Zimmermann, Sales Director
Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH &Co

Karl Zimmermann graduated in production engineering in 1987. In the same year, he joined the process department at Kiefel, specialist in machines for forming and joining of plastic materials (meanwhile a member of Brückner Group). In 1990 he started working for Brückner and has held various positions in the sales department. In the year 2000 he was promoted as Sales Director, responsible for all sales activities in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Middle East as well as key customers worldwide.