Speakers at the conference will provide insight into the ways in which plastic manufacturers can embrace top-end traditional plastics processing technologies, additive manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 solutions, while all the time keeping an eagle eye on ever present sustainability issues.
| MODERATOR: Pravin Mistry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Topic | Speaker | |
| 10:00-10:30 | Biodegradable functional additives and compounds. | Gary Ogden, Technical Manager at Wells Performance Materials Ltd | |
| 10:30-10:50 | The role of biobased plastics on supporting to reduce carbon footprint and reliance on fossil based polymers. | Richard Lambert, Commercial - Bio-Polymers EMEA, Braskem | |
| 10:50-11:15 | APT What We Can Do For You? - Our “What We Can Do For You” presentation provides an overview of APT’s full range of capabilities and how we support industry and academic partners in advancing polymer innovation. | Kenny O'Brien, Centre Manager, Applied Polymer Technology (APT) | |
| 11:15-11:45 | Feasibility of recycled Polypropylene for Reusable Packaging Applications. | Dr Michael Hopkins, Managing Director of Ross Polymer Services Ltd. | |
| 11:45-12:15 | Controlling Energy Use in Plastics Processing. | Dr Robin Kent, Managing Director, Tangram Technology | |
| 12:00-12:45 | Shaping the Future: Polymer Skills for Irish Industry. | Catherine Collins, Network Manager, First Polymer Training Skillnet | |
| 12:45-13:15 | Introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Queen's University, Belfast. | Mark Kearns, Senior Technical Lead (Polymer Processing), Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) | |
| 13:15-14:00 | Lunch | ||
| Video Presentation - Developments and Trends in Bioplastics Technology and Markets for Flexible Packaging. | Dr. Terence A. Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, ARGO Group International Global Polymer Consultants | ||
| 14:00-14:30 | Breathe New Life Into Your Process – Evergreen Innovation. | Shane O'Callaghan, Commercial Director, TSM | |
| 14:30-15:00 | Recycled, Revalued, Repriced: How PCR Plastics Are Redefining Europe’s Circular Economy. | Henry Praum, Director Commerce and Finance, Pricenxt by Plastic Information Europe | |
| 15:00-15:30 | Beyond Cooling: "Conformal Heating Strategies for High-Gloss and Optical-Grade Polymers" - What if we can use AM-integrated heating systems for local thermal modulation in polymer processing? | Colin Meade, Industrial Researcher in Additive Manufacturing, Irish Manufacturing Research | |
| 15:30-16:00 | Cross Border Collaboration between a Co. Monaghan SME and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Belfast. | Dr Mark Mcourt, Senior Engineer, Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Queens University Belfast | |
| MODERATOR: Pravin Mistry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Topic | Speaker | |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | This presentation will show how UK government funding has been deployed to facilitate innovation in the plastics value chain to make plastics more sustainable. It will cover recycling both mechanical and chemical, novel materials, collecting and sorting and return and refill projects amongst others. | Lily Melody & Chrisan Bianco – Knowledge Transfer Managers - KTN-UK | |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | Panel Discussion - The Future of Plastics Overview: This high-level panel will unite leading voices from industry, research, and sustainability to explore how the plastics sector is transforming in response to global environmental, technological, and policy shifts. From material innovation to circular economy strategies, the discussion will highlight both the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of plastic production, use, and recycling. | MODERATOR: Caitriona Mordan, Manager, ATIM Cluster John Downey, Chief Executive Officer, MonoBiologics Caitriona Mordan, Manager, ATIM Cluster Kenny O'Brien, Centre Manager, Applied Polymer Technologies Richard Lambert, Business Development and Partnerships | Bio-Polymers EMEA at Braskem |
|
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Sustainable Innovation in Injection Moulding at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC): Towards a Circular Future. | Dr Paul Hanna, Senior Engineer, Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Queens University Belfast | |
| 12:00 - 12:15 | PolymerConnect: A Strategic Platform for Visibility, Collaboration & Innovation. | Caitriona Mordan, ATIM Cluster Manager | |
| 12:15-12:40 | Effective Material Selection for Plastic Components. | Dr Andrew Hulme, Principal Consultant - Plastics, Smithers | |
| 12:40 - 13:30 | Lunch | ||
| 13:30 - 14:00 | Plastics and Sustainability: What Ireland’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Story Reveals? | Sevil Bozdogan, Consultant | |
| 14:00 - 14:30 | Your Development Partner for Fast, Efficient Metal Replacement. Accelerate your - and your customers - transition from metal to our high performance polyamide compounds. | Joseph Clinch, Key Account Manager - Industry and Consumer, EMS-CHEMIE | |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | How to recycle your plastic parts or waste - A practical guide. | Padraig Diarmund Shine, Director, VSR Group | |
