AIMCAL R2R Europe Conference 2022: From flexible packaging to flexible electronics and more

Photos by Chris Kerscher and Tim Janes

Held last week at the AIMPLAS Plastics Technology Centre in Valencia, Spain, the biennial AIMCAL R2R Europe program drew an enthusiastic audience of converting professionals from across the continent. Postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was welcomed by attendees and speakers alike as an in-person conference once again. Twenty-three technical presentations were made in tracks covering flexible, printed electronics; web-handling and R2R processing; flexible packaging; and coating & laminating and surface treatment.

Andrea Glawe, regional sales director for KROENERT, led off the opening regular session on June 8 with her talk on "Tailored R2R Machinery Concepts for Printed and Large Area Electronic."

Director of Sustainability for Flexible Packaging Europe Jean-Paul Duquet presented June 9 keynote on "Lightweight Flexible Packaging - The Effective Route to Resource Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Emissions

Wolfgang Mildner, president of MSWtech, opened the program with the June 8 keynote on "Printed Flexible Electronics-Integrated in Every Days Life."

Nordmeccanica Senior Scientist Fabiano Rimediotti spoke on "Benefits of and Challenges for Inline Metrology in Vacuum Metallization."

AIMCAL Member Outreach Director Tim Janes was ready to welcome attendees at the Welcome Reception and Tabletop Exhibition at the Hotel Mas Camarena.

Along with a short course on Web Handling Essentials by Dr. Dilwyn Jones of Emral, Ltd., a highlight of the June 7 opening day was a tour of the AIMPLAS Plastics. Technology Centre facilities in Valencia. 

A boatload of networking opportunities were a big part of the R2R Europe Conference agenda, including meals with traditional Spanish foods and tapas, and a tour of Old Valencia historic sights and dinner.