A special, intensive workshop organized by NOVA Chemicals, Join NOVA, Coca-Cola Company and Plastics News in an engaging dialogue on the afternoon of the first day of the 2016 Plastics News Caps and Closures Conference. This year’s forum will focus on the ever-changing market dynamics for plastics caps and closures, the importance of a seamless supply chain that ensures optimal caps and closures performance and how to prepare for a future where new materials and closure design will continue to require tight collaboration from every part of the supply chain. Located in the Regent Room, 3rd floor at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.

Sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company Located in the Rouge Room at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park.

Registration takes place in the Imperial Foyer.

Breakfast will be served in the Exhibit Hall area of the Imperial Ballroom.

Located in the Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

Learn how Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage company, incorporates caps and closures into their products and their view on innovative products that will affect the beverage market in the future.

As packaging plays an ever-increasing role in the purchasing decision, a cap will be just a cap and a closure will be just a closure unless it can enhance consumers’ use experiences. Learn in this session what makes the difference between an ordinary cap or closure and a solutions-based cap or closure; which global markets and end-use categories are flush with opportunities; and which cap and closure technologies are resonating with consumers and why.

James Ray of ICIS will share a global perspective on the use of polyethylene, polypropylene and other resins for caps and closures and discuss performance and pricing trends.

A look at how the current economic picture and market dynamics are affecting caps and closures manufacturing and how innovation and collaboration are driving future trends. Featuring the chief economist with NOVA Chemicals.

A discussion of consumer trends and what this means for manufacturing from the perspective of a large processor of caps and closures.

For the first time, the next NPE show will have a dedicated area for exhibitors who supply the bottle and closure market. This presentation will show the layout of this new area including the Beer Garden, which suppliers have already booked space in this area, what are the requirements to become an exhibitor in the Bottle Zone, and how to become an exhibitor in this area.

Lunch will be served in the Exhibit Hall area of the Imperial Ballroom.

We live in a world where, increasingly, the experience we have with products, bottle closures and structures are becoming the strongest definition of a brand's promise. If the act of opening, closing and dispensing is in alignment with the perception of the brand, that’s when powerful relationships between consumer and the brand begin and continue. Consequently, in the design of these "consumer touch points," it has become essential to get it right. Mark Dziersk, head of consumer design at LUNAR | Mckinsey will present this idea, using examples drawing from a 20 + year career in creating well-designed consumer packages and products.

Education and outreach are key factors to ensure caps and closures are successfully recycled. This presentation will provide an overview of APR’s Caps On Initiative, caps in the recycling process, and how caps, closures and attachments are addressed in the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

Hear an industry overview on trends in closures for flexible packaging that will influence package design and development and learn about recent industry trends in resealable packaging features and new fasteners. Understand the latest industry developments on the market from many brand owners and suppliers.

When dealing with the injection molding process for beverage and specialty closures an integrated system approach can yield significant benefits – improving productivity, repeatability, part-performance consistency, energy efficiency and ease of use. Through the development of a smart, integrated system, all of the sub-systems (machine, mold, hot runner, automation) can be more tightly controlled. Bringing intelligence into the system also allows for better communication among all components, resulting in a more streamlined operation. This presentation will explain how an integrated system approach to molding beverage and specialty closures can result in significant production improvements. We will demonstrate the rationale behind Husky’s latest innovative technologies for both beverage and specialty closures, and the benefits when applied to specific applications.

This presentation will look at the growing presence of digital printing for caps and how it can be used effectively in manufacturing. Marco Andrea Ferri of Sacmi will cover such areas as: • Why caps digital printing • How it works • Machine performances and specs • From characteristics to benefits • Inks • Where we are

Many innovative new dispensing and dosing closures are now on the market for a variety of consumer products. Packaging expert Danny Beard will lead a session on this topic with guest panelists on new technologies and shelf innovations in this area.

Sponsored by NOVA Chemicals. Located at the Skydeck Chicago, 99th floor of Willis Tower. Transportation to the Willis Tower from the Fairmont is provided. Buses will be running from 6 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Registration takes place in the Imperial foyer.

Breakfast will be served in the Exhibit Hall area of the Imperial Ballroom.

Located in the Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont Chicago,Millennium Park.

Workplace violence is seriously effecting workplace productivity, morale and the ability of the workforce to adapt to and create the changes needed and expected by leaders. And all on your watch. Psychologist, executive search professional, TEDx Talk presenter and author, Dr. Russ Riendeau will deliver much-needed, real time data and insights to demonstrate how: • Leaders deliver the message and action steps being taken to increase both personal safety measures in the workplace, as well as those traveling for business, and for families left behind when employees must travel • Caps and closures manufacturers and brand owners are affecting the overall health and well-being of workers through new approaches to product protection, safety, ease of opening and other measures, based on interviews with executives at key companies.

Global megatrends like sustainability, health and wellness, and aging population are driving accelerated innovation in all aspects of the beverage industry. This acceleration of timely innovation and robust solutions requires a collaborative multi-functional process of analytical science, sensory science, product and material design and end-use failure analysis using both experimental and simulation tools. This sesson from Dow Chemical Co. examines those tools and examples of how a collaborative process is possible as they relate to beverage closures and can be leveraged throughout the value chain.

How can caps and closures, and packaging in general, help grow revenue for a brand and lead to greater retail success. Joe Stodola of Jabil Packaging Solutions, formerly Nypro, will discuss how this can be done successfully in collaborative approaches with brand owners.

Three years ago, z-moulds made a cube mold with its patented z-cube® technology for a 2-component part used in a re-sealable can closure. The closure itself was brand new on the market and since then the market shares of this innovative closure solution have grown consistently. Nowadays, the need exists to increase the production output with additional molds. The aim is not only to multiply the output by additional systems but to be more effective overall. The main two drivers for reaching a higher efficiency are faster cycle times and less complexity of the technology itself and therefore less downtime for maintenance. z-moulds will unveil an innovative new concept that reaches both targets. The complexity was reduced by changing the system from a cube mold technology to a standard single-face mold with injection of both materials from the same hot half and the cycle time was reduced by more than 25 percent. The overall efficiency reached a new level by increasing output and decreasing downtime for maintenance. The new solution is now under patent.

There is a growing market for multi-material closures for beverages, cosmetics, shampoo, and household cleaners. This presentation will outline the equipment required to manufacture these closures, either as a new molding cell or to retrofit to an existing injection machine. Case studies of successful conversions will be shown.

Although the majority of color sold today is still pelletized, the latest advancements in liquid color technology has motivated brand owners and processors alike to seriously consider making the change.Find out how to use or transition to liquid color and capitalize on these latest technological advancements, which can result in energy savings, accuracy, cleanliness, zero waste, compliance conformance and improved productivity.

Hear from the finalists for Plastics News' Plastics Caps & Closures Innovation Award in special presentations by each, before the grand prize winner of this first-annual award is announced.

Lunch will be served in the Exhibit Hall area of the Imperial Ballroom.

Successful strategic planning requires the ability to see trends and build flexible strategies for both the current and future business environment. Procurement and supply chain executives miss the mark on long-range strategic planning without an understanding of the changes that will occur in the long term. Mega-mergers, industry consolidations, venture capital acquisitions and faster product life cycles and major digital disruption all play a major role in building the strategy of tomorrow. The push for increased customer value, technology changes and the drive for supply chain integration will restructure the way we do business in the future. Changes resulting from big-data, the internet of things and changing global markets will impact how we manage supply chain strategies This session will focus on 10 Megatrends changing the way we buy and work.

SmartSeal SA is a young company producing and selling innovative beverage closures. The company is unveiling new technology to provide spill-proof and convenient closure solutions for on-the-go consumption of beverages. The technology can be adapted to a range of containers, spanning from PET bottles to cartons and pouches.

A special session that will discuss e-commerce growth and evolving requirements for shipping liquids, as well as the use of induction sealing that is designed for the consumer.

One of the industry's largest and most innovative toolmakers for caps and closures will discuss • Next generation beverage molding solutions resulting in lower part cost as a result of cycle reduction and part design optimization • Specialty closure molding technologies that improve productivity, improve part quality and reduce overall part costs

Sports caps are without a doubt the one of the most popular and demanded plastic closures on the market. They combine everything today’s fast-paced beverage consumers desire: convenient, easy to use and safe beverage closures. The speech will give an insight into the latest innovations and current developments in Sports Cap’s quality control, including inspection challenges as well as solutions.