AWA release liner conference program announced

The program for the Global Release Liner Industry Conference & Exhibition, hosted by AWA Conferences & Events, has been published, and features a broad speaker platform, a complementary exhibition and sponsor companies from different sectors of the industry. 

This established annual forum for all concerned in the manufacture and use of release liners takes place in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on March 31-1 April. The exhibition will be open from 8am to 8pm on the first day, and from 8am to 2.30pm on the second day.

The conference agenda explores both opportunities and issues in an industry which, as a whole, provides technical functionality across a variety of markets. Expert presentations, panel discussions and exclusive AWA market data – including the results of the company’s annual industry survey – provide the core of the formal program to deliver a comprehensive overview of the current market environment, growth and business development prospects, industry trends, and technology innovation.   

Keynote speakers include Todd Williams, procurement manager, decoration and tubes, North America, for Unilever; Ian Murdoch, director, global forest, paper and packaging, Austria, for PricewaterhouseCoopers; and Yolanda Simonsis, associate publisher and editor of Paper Film and Foil Converter magazine. Among the companies giving presentations are Dow Europe, Henkel, Loparex, Novamelt-Jowat, Polyplex, Spear USA and tesa.   

The program concludes with a session devoted to release liner waste, led by Channeled Resources Group’s Calvin Frost, and featuring a checklist of the tools that drive liner recycling (eg scorecards, legislation, cost reductions and corporate sustainability statements); a study of sustainable recycling of polyester release liners; converting release liner into energy; and an open panel discussion on release liner waste and solutions.

Supported by platinum sponsor UPM; gold sponsors Bluestar Silicones, Dow Corning, Evonik, Huhtamaki, Loparex, and Mondi; and silver sponsors Billerud, Boise, Channeled Resources Group, Mitsubishi Polyester Film and Tekkote, the Global Release Liner Industry Conference 2011 takes place at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel.  

The program is detailed on the AWA website, where it is also possible to register online.