TAPPI’s International Flexible Packaging & Extrusion Division (IFPED) has announced three prominent industry keynote speakers for its 2024 conference, held April 14-17, 2024, in San Diego, California. Following, are the speakers and their specialties. To learn more about their extensive expertise, click here.

Eric Klingenberg, Ph.D., Material Science program lead, Mars Advanced Research Institute (MARI), will present “Flexible Packaging – Approaches to Improve Recycling and the Role for Compostables.”

As the head of materials science for MARI, Klingenberg focuses on leading the development of new sustainable packaging designs and supporting the development of infrastructure for recycling packaging materials. He works closely with the Mars business segments and is actively engaged with material suppliers and recycling organizations to provoke long-term innovation breakthroughs and transformations in sustainable plastics packaging.

William Jackson, Ph.D., chief technology officer, Amcor Global Flexibles, presents, “The Role of R&D in Driving Product Sustainability and Profitable Growth.”

Prior to Amcor, Jackson served as Bemis Company’s senior vice president and global chief technology officer from 2013-2019. He also spent five years with Dow Chemical as VP of Global R&D for Dow Building and Construction. Before Dow, he spent 16 years at General Electric with numerous leadership roles. 

Alison Keane, Esq., CAE, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), will deliver her expertise in a speech on, “The State of the Flexible Packaging Industry.”

Before her current role at FPA, Keane previously served as counsel and then vice president of government affairs and industry programs with the American Coatings Association. In addition, she has been an environmental attorney with experience in the association and government sectors. Keane has also held a position within the Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland State Senate. 

The TAPPI FlexPack PLACE Conference is a biennial event that brings together the entire supply chain, and serves all key industry sectors, including food & beverage, consumer packaged goods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, retail, and industrial. 

To learn more about TAPPI and register for the conference, visit www.events.tappiflexible.org/event.