Package Design | packagedesignmag.com

(September 2011) posted on Mon Sep 19, 2011

By Linda Casey

According to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, the global beverage industry is estimated at $700 billion. In the association’s Quarterly Economic Outlook: Planning for Third Quarter 2011, it notes that the beverage industry has grown 7.1% just in 2011. To address this behemoth of a market, Pack Expo Las Vegas is collaborating with both the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) to provide industry-specific education opportunities at the show.

“From sustainability to evolving food safety regulations, today’s beverage industry professionals are faced with more challenges across the supply chain than ever before,” says Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI. “By partnering with leading beverage associations, PACK EXPO Las Vegas will make it easy for attendees to find total systems solutions and answers to their packaging and processing questions in one stop.”

Beverage-industry-focused activities at Pack Expo will include:

• IBWA’s Annual Business Conference to be held at the MGM Grand Hotel from Sept. 26-30. Education sessions will be held from Sept. 27-29, with the tabletop exhibits open from 1:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 28. All IBWA Convention registrants will receive complimentary registration to the PACK EXPO Las Vegas exhibits. Shuttle buses will run between the MGM Grand and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

• ISBT will present sessions focused on beverage processing and packaging as part of the Conference at PACK EXPO. ISBT’s track for the Conference at PACK EXPO includes:

Monday, September 26:

Conference Session Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Session Number: M17
Title: Introduction to Beverage Packaging
Summary: This session will introduce attendees to the world of packaging, covering domestic and international terminology, key performance criteria and recommendations based on best practices and standards for handling and distribution.
Speaker: Michelle Parikh, senior engineer, Materials Engineering and Packaging LLC

Conference Session Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Session Number: M18
Title: Stress Crack Prevention
Summary: PET makes up more than half of the packaging mix for soft drinks, and when it was introduced in 1977, stress crack failures were common. Since then, much has been learned about how to maximize bottle performance –– but stress cracks have not been entirely eradicated. The ISBT has made significant gains in the understanding and reduction of stress crack issues. In this session, attendees will review the environmental stress crack process, outline the risk factors for stress cracking and provide recommendations bottlers can implement to minimize the risk.
Speaker: Sally Potter, manager, package governance, Coca-Cola

Tuesday, September 27

Conference Session Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Session Number: T19
Title: Introduction to Beverage Processing
Summary: In this introduction, the Beverage Processing Technical Committee will present fundamentals of beverage processing, reviewing the process: functions, options and some definitions. Also on the agenda are handling of major raw materials for beverages such as water pre-treatment and purification, HFCS and sucrose receiving and storage and super sack unloading & liquefaction. Participants will also learn basics of pasteurization and ingredients blending.
Speaker: Katie Godfrey; process engineer; Cadence Technologies, Inc.

Conference registration is available online at Packexpo.com, at a cost of $125/session. Conference registrants must also register for admission to the PACK EXPO show floor.

Other resources for beverage industry professionals at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, include

• The Processing Zone is a special area of the show floor featuring front-of-the-line solutions for the food and beverage sectors. Additional processing technologies will be found throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.

• The Food Safety Summit Resource Center will also reside in The Processing Zone, providing attendees with an opportunity to discuss challenges and potential solutions with industry experts.

• The sold-out Brand Zone will focus on the latest container and material innovations that respond to consumer demands for convenience, portion control, sustainability and more. As part of The Brand Zone, Material ConneXion® will have a dynamic, interactive materials display to introduce new ideas, showcase emerging trends and demonstrate the essential link between material innovation and design. Package Design Magazine also will be conducting voting for the Makeover Challenge, sponsored by Brushfoil, at the Brand Zone.