President's Message
2nd Quarter | 2022
Andrew Jack
AIMCAL President of the Board
President's Message
Greetings AIMCAL members, and a warm
spring welcome to Q2 2022.
Please let me introduce myself. My
name is Andrew Jack of Emerson
& Renwick, Ltd. (E+R Group) UK,
and I will be taking over the reins as
AIMCAL President from our now Past President Dante Ferrari. Dante will be a hard act to
follow as he continued the work of other presidents in
growing and making our great organization even better. I
believe I’m the first European to hold this position, and I
do consider myself as European even though I’m British.
Hopefully, I will be only the second of many international
presidents of AIMCAL, as we continue to expand the
association globally. I’ve worked in the flexible-material
R2R industry for both suppliers and converters for almost
30 years now and have been actively involved with
AIMCAL for over 15 years.
As I write this message, COVID-19 seems to be in retreat
and the global economy continues to grow, despite the
ongoing “chip” shortage and the seemingly senseless
Russian invasion of Ukraine. I hope I speak for everyone
when praying for a de-escalation of hostilities and a rapid
return to peace in this area. As a consequence of the
invasion, oil and gas prices have reached record highs over
the last quarter and are another reason why energy costs
have soared. Supply-chain disruptions seem to be the topic
of the day in many a meeting, with lead times suffering.
Raw materials, such as steel and nickel, are achieving
record price increases, with many suppliers guaranteeing
quoted prices for only 24 hours or less. These increases
and extended deliveries are making for very challenging
positions for converters and OEMs alike. Current growth
opportunities in R2R seem to surround the energy sector,
with battery, solar and fuel cell all taking center stage as
countries around the globe seek to cement their position in
this competitive field.
AIMCAL can help. Economics reports, such as those
published in CQ by Dr. Robert Fry and those available
in the Member Area of the AIMCAL Website, help to
make sense of where the world and major economies are
headed, and what it means for our industry. AIMCAL Jobs
allows companies to advertise job postings and people
in the industry to post their resumes. Members can raise
their profile to attract both new customers and suppliers
by advertising, posting Member News and posing “Ask AIMCAL” questions. And, of course, there are an almost
limitless number of technical resources to draw on in
the AIMCAL TV and conference proceedings libraries
in the Member Area. Members can increase employee
engagement while raising skill levels by participating in
online, hybrid or in-person Converting School classes or
having employees take the online GAA gravure training and certification program.
AIMCAL also continues to offer great networking, and
in-person events are back. It feels great to announce
that after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we will
welcome attendees to the 2022 AIMCAL R2R Europe
Conference in Valencia, Spain, June 7-9. Please join us
for this prestigious event, collaboratively produced with
AIMPLAS, as we have both technical presenting and
tabletop-exhibiting opportunities available.
To conclude my first message, it is my honor to serve as
President. AIMCAL always has been close to my heart,
and I’ve enjoyed each and every event I’ve attended.
AIMCAL is my “go to” source of information and
guidance. I am very open to dialog (and the odd beer) so
please feel free to seek me out at any of the up-and-coming
events for a chat. I lead an incredibly talented board, all
of whom have unique attributes that help bring the ideas
required to grow. Add to this the incredible team Executive
Director Chris Kerscher has assembled, and we have a
perfect formula. I hope you and many others will join me
on this exciting journey. I’m looking forward to the next
two years.
Your humble servant,
Andy Jack
President of the Board - AIMCAL
AIMCAL R2R Europe to return
to an in-person format
Anticipation is building for an in-person AIMCAL R2R (roll-to-roll) Europe Conference. Scheduled for June 7–9, 2022, at the AIMPLAS Plastics Technology Centre in Valencia, Spain, the event’s agenda includes sessions on Web Coating, Vacuum Web Coating, Gravure Coating & Printing, and Web Handling. Leading consultants and experts from academia and original equipment manufacturers will present best practices and advances related to coating process technology, oriented films, barrier, R2R vacuum technology, system developments, printed electronics, sustainability, strategies for improving productivity, converting technology, new materials and processing developments, monitoring and measurement, coating materials for key market applications, and flexible packaging and materials. The schedule will include tabletop exhibits during evening receptions and other networking opportunities, such as an AIMPLAS facility tour and a guided tour of Valencia. Registration information and conference details may be found on the AIMCAL Website, www.aimcal.org (click on Conference & Events). Prospective exhibitors should contact AIMCAL Member Outreach Director Tim Janes at 803-948-9469, [email protected].
Roisum to reprise hybrid Converting School
courses on web handling, winding
Dr. David R. Roisum of Finishing Technologies serves as
the instructor for the next editions of Web Handling Month
and Web Winding Month. The online courses are accessed
on-demand each week and conclude each Friday with a
two-hour live Zoom session with the instructor. On the final
Friday, each participant can schedule a 15-minute private
meeting with the instructor.
August 2022 – Web Handling Month participants learn how
to: Eliminate wrinkles, baggy webs and apply effective
spreading; eliminate winding defects; design and maintain
web machinery and control systems; and design web
products and processes for more reliable manufacturing.
September 2022 – Web Winding Month participants learn
how to: Eliminate winding defects; know whether a defect
is manufacturing- or winding-related or both; match winder
and settings to product; and design and maintain winding
machinery and control systems.
Students who meet all course requirements receive a
Certificate of Completion. The cost per course is $699 for
members and $899 for nonmembers. Visit www.aimcal.org,
click on Education and then Courses.
Plan to participate in AIMCAL R2R USA Conference
Sept 26-29 in Orlando
Proposals for presentations at the annual AIMCAL R2R(roll-to-roll) USA Conference (Sept. 26-29, 2022, in
Orlando, FL) may be made on the AIMCAL Website, www.aimcal.org. Registration materials also are available. Click on Conference & Events and select 2022 R2R Conference
USA from the drop-down menu.
The multi-track agenda
includes sessions on
Coating & Laminating,
Vacuum Web Coating,
Web Handling,
Adhesives & Coatings,
Flexible Packaging,
Battery Manufacturing, Flexible Electronics, Sustainability,
Market Forecasts, Gravure Coating and Printing.
The traditional tabletop exhibit area has been expanded
to include 10-by-10-ft exhibits. There also are additional
sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact
AIMCAL Member Outreach Director Tim Janes at +1 803-948-9469, [email protected]
AIMCAL Member Referral Program
offers perks and discounts
Referring a new member generates benefits beyond regular
AIMCAL membership. Under AIMCAL’s Member Referral
Program, a member company that refers another firm
receives recognition in a member spotlight, e.g., “AIMCAL
welcomes ABC Converting as a new member this month –
recommended by John Doe at XYZ Films.”
For each company referred that joins, the person making
the referral earns a $100 discount on AIMCAL events
(conference, training program, etc.), which can be gifted to
a customer.
Credits will be available in individual AIMCAL accounts
once a company joins and pays for membership. To ensure
credit is received, email any referral to AIMCAL Member
Outreach Director Tim Janes at 803-948-9469, [email protected], before the referred company joins.
Registration Opens for ISCST Symposium
The 21st International Coating Science and Technology(ISCST) Symposium will be held Sept. 11-14, 2022, in
Minneapolis, MN. Organized by the International Society of
Coating Science & Technology and facilitated by AIMCAL,
the meeting provides a forum for scientists and engineers
to discuss the latest developments and discoveries in the
application and solidification of thin liquid films.
A special session on Flexible Electronics will explore
continuous and semi-continuous processing of electronic,
optoelectronic and energy-storage components on flexible
substrates. Other technical sessions will focus on Coating
Process Fundamentals, Drying and Curing Fundamentals, Flow and Solidification of Particulate Coatings, Wetting &
Adhesion, Coating Technology & Applications, Printing
and Discrete Coating and Analytics/Big Data in the Coating
Industry.
A tabletop exhibit area will offer opportunities to learn about
coating products and services from equipment suppliers,
coating services, coating and drying modeling software and
instrumentation providers. Learn more: www.ISCST.com
Apply online for WISE Scholarship
Applications for the new AIMCAL Women in Industry
Scholarship for Excellence (WISE) now are available online.
The first WISE winners will be announced at the AIMCAL
R2R USA Conference (Sept. 26–29 in Orlando, FL).
Intended to help pay down student debt for women
employed in the R2R sector, the scholarship recognizes
honorees who have overcome significant challenges,
invested in STEM degrees
and are contributing to the
industry.
To support the scholarship
program long-term,
AIMCAL continues to seek
donations from member
and nonmember companies
and individuals to fund a $100,000 endowment. To donate
or apply for a scholarship, click on www.aimcal.org/AIMCAL/AIMCAL-News/WISE-Scholarship.aspx. For
more information about WISE or the AIMCAL Women’s
Leadership Committee, contact 803-948-9470 or [email protected].
Nine new members enjoy array of benefits
Nine newcomers are enjoying the perks of AIMCAL
membership. With membership in AIMCAL, all personnel in the organization receive access to member benefits, such
as an individual profile for each employee and access to the
online member Community forum, Ask AIMCAL business
leads, AIMCAL TV network (more than 230 technical
presentations), 10+ years of Conference Proceedings and
global market research reports. Other benefits include
opportunities for committee involvement, technical training,
networking and discounted fees for events. Member
companies also are listed in the AIMCAL SourceBook
directory and have the opportunity to present live Webinars
to the industry.
Heat Technologies, Inc. (Atlanta, GA): Patented Spectra
HE™ Ultra technology emphasizes “mass transfer” rather
than “heat” in the removal of liquids by “charging the air”
with ultrasonic oscillations. This transfers more moisturedefusing energy to the material to evaporate liquids or
increase heating or cooling rates. (404-272-9006)
Infinity Tapes (Lawrence, MA): US manufacturer produces
double-coated tapes, adhesive-transfer tapes, tamper-evident
films and tapes and silicone-coated papers and films, which
often serve as release liners. Custom formulations and
converting can address any application requirement.
(937-765-3951)
J. Josephson, Inc. (South Hackensack, NJ): Commercial
wallcovering manufacturer, led by the third generation of
the Goodman family, sells to more than 50 countries. A
large portfolio of print and emboss rollers offers virtually
limitless capability in terms of color and design. (201-440-
7000)
Kohli Industries (Thane, India): Manufacturer and
exporter of printing and converting machines for the
flexible packaging industry has installed 1,600 machines
in 36 countries since its founding in 1972. Options include
gravure presses, laminators, extrusion laminators and slitter/
rewinders. (+91-98-2002-9050)
Munich University of Applied Sciences (Munich,
Germany): At one of the largest universities of applied
sciences in Germany, students can choose from more than
88 Bachelor and Master degree programs including Paper
and Packaging Technology, Print and Media Technology
and various engineering disciplines. (+49-89-12650)
Nordson Extrusion Dies LLC (Chippewa Falls, WI):
Premier™ and Ultracoat™ slot-die systems dispense
singular or multiple thin and uniform coatings in one pass.
Proprietary design software adapts the slot die’s flow
channel to ensure uniform distribution of fluids within the
required thickness tolerance. (715-726-1201)
OCS Optical Control Systems GmbH (Houston, TX):
Headquartered in Germany, the company provides optical
inspection equipment for quality control and assurance for
plastic products. Services include raw-material inspection,
surface testing, system integration and turnkey laboratory
solutions. (281-723-4275)
Precision AirConvey Corporation (Newark, DE): Trim
and matrix removal systems for the label, paper, film and
sheet and other industries use high-quality cutters and
pneumatic conveying systems to effectively remove trim
materials and eliminate costly clogs or breakdowns. (302-
999-8000)
Toppan USA, Inc. (Griffin, GA): First plant outside Japan
to produce GL Film started up in March 2016 and relies
on Toppan’s coating and vapor-deposition technologies
to produce the transparent barrier film. Operation serves
Europe as well as North and South America. (770-467-
5938)
Learn about member benefits at www.aimcal.org (click
Membership) or contact AIMCAL Member Outreach
Director Tim Janes at 803-948-9469, [email protected].
AIMCAL Women’s Leadership Committee Member Profile:
Ana Lyra
R&D Engineer, Terphane (Bloomfield, NY)
Describe your current line of work and what interests you the most about it:
As an R&D engineer, I work with
quite a wide range of activities, from raw materials and
machine suppliers to understanding the requirements
for each application. Having a clear view of customer
needs and working in partnership with the customer
from the beginning of the project is a successful recipe.
This approach guides us to make the improvements to
products and processes and to reach the desired final
properties. Interacting with diverse areas is what makes
my eyes shine. I’m always learning something new and
meeting new people.
What areas of the R2R processing field are the most exciting now and into the future?
Convenience,
innovation and sustainability. We are all in a rush to
keep up with our professional and personal lives, so a
convenient package that saves us time and makes the
daily routine easier is a must-have. Lidded trays used for
fresh fruits, salads and snacks in individual portions are
good examples. The combination of convenience with
innovative and sustainable ideas is what the environment
needs. An example would be reduced plastic consumption
by downgauging, replacing rigid lids with flexible
options or using post-consumer recycled resin (PCR).
Did / do you have a female role model or mentor in your career, and what was this experience like?
I was
one of the first female engineers to be hired to work in
close contact with the operations floor. And I’m very
proud to say that our company has
been changing in this respect. For a
few years now, we already have had a
stronger female presence, not only at
the lab or at the office, but also with
crucial holes in the PET lines and
metallizer and coating machines.
In my eight years at Terphane, my
mentors always have been male. They
have never treated me differently
because I’m female and always have encouraged
me to do my best, to be curious, to use my technical
background to make technical decisions and to use
common sense to complete analyses. Valuing people is
one of Terphane’s values. Not only my leaders, but all
Terphane team members treat each other (regardless of
gender, religion or color) with the respect a human being
deserves.
What career advice can you give to women coming into the field to help assure their success?
Study,
work hard and be kind. Study will provide the technical
background you need to solve technical problems. It will
take time, but if you work hard, people will notice you.
If they don’t, make yourself visible, take risks and build
from there. Treating people with respect is the minimum,
but if you can give a little bit of kindness (maybe a smile,
maybe “good morning”), then you will have partners for
your projects. Maybe partners for a lifetime.