Robyn Buma wins AWA Annual Release Liner Industry Leadership Award

AWA Alexander Watson Associates has awarded Robyn Buma with the 2024 AWA Annual Release Liner Industry Leadership Award. The award was announced on March 21, 2024, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands at the AWA Annual Release Liner Industry Conference dinner hosted by AWA Alexander Watson Associates and Mondi Group.  

The AWA-initiated award, established in 2016, aims to honor leaders in the release liner industry for their dedication, service, and innovation, contributing to the industry's growth and success.

Presented annually at the AWA Global Release Liner Industry Conference & Exhibition, the first recipient of the award in 2016 was Dean Scarborough, then CEO of Avery Dennison, with other past award recipients being Sean Duffey, VP sustainability and regulatory compliance, Elkem Silicones in 2023, Petri Tani, managing director, of Cycle for Green in 2022, Alexander Watson, founder of AWA Alexander Watson Associates in 2021, and Alex Knott, from Dow, in 2020.  In 2019 the award recipient was Adrian Hulme, from Avery Dennison, and prior to that, Wilhelm Munniger, from Mondi in 2018, and Calvin Frost, chairman of Channeled Resources in 2017. 

Corey M. Reardon, president and CEO of AWA, said: ‘We are very proud at AWA and honored to shepherd this award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the release liner industry, and presenting this acknowledgement to such well deserving recipients.  This year’s AWA Release Liner Industry Leadership Award is given to Robyn Buma. 

‘This year’s Leadership Award is being given to an individual who has played a significant role over the years, in fact decades, in helping to shape the release liner industry, including in product and market development, supply chain efficiency, and working with suppliers to be better and stronger.’ 

Buma is the first female to be honored with this AWA Release Liner Industry Leadership Award, and although she was unable to be there in person to receive the Award, she did provide a heartfelt thank you and words of gratitude via video. 

Reardon stated: ‘Robyn’s contribution to the release liner industry, which started over 20 years ago has affected and influenced the industry, and for sure will affect and influence it for a long time to come.’ 

Buma was with Avery Dennison for over 20 years, though recently has moved on to another chapter in her professional life.  Buma started her career in product management, managing several product portfolios - across both film and paper.  In 2010, Buma moved into the procurement side of the business where she held many roles, each expanding her responsibilities.  After a period in Europe, Buma returned to the United States and was named vice president, global commodities and vice president, NA procurement. 

During the course of her career Buma, along with her team, was instrumental in several areas that have advanced the release liner and pressure-sensitive industry, supporting Avery Dennison’s leadership role in the industry, including, but not limited to, shifting sourcing to FSC products at price parity or recycled content, bringing in new entrants into the industry to ensure continuity of supply, working with her team on new silicone release systems, or instrumental in spearheading various industry initiatives related to sustainability and other related topics.   

She was responsible for delivering sustainable competitive advantage through the latest thinking and best practices in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship development and procurement excellence.  Together with her team, Buma ensured Avery Dennison stayed on the leading­ edge of material trends, especially in support of their 2025 sustainability goals. 

Reardon concluded: ‘Through her various roles over the years, Robyn’s outstanding contribution to the release liner and pressure sensitive industry, has helped in part, make the industry what it is today and will be tomorrow.’