AIP National Office 34 Lawson Street Oxley QLD 4075 Australia +61 7 3278 4490 +61 7 3009 9916 info@aipack.com.au www.aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTERJoin the AIP on

1

JULY 2015

The AIP recently ran the Introduction to Print Technology half-day training course with attendees being able to walk away understanding print and press approval processes and what to expect

from a printer. The AIP would like to acknowledge Andrew Readman for once again running this course.

PRINT TECHNOLOGY COURSE WRAP-UP

AIP QLD MEMBERS HEAD TO WINSON GROUP

The AIP would like to thank The Winson Group, which is the holding company of Signet and insignia, for running a site visit at their head office in Queensland. Attendees had the opportunity

to see a number of manufacturing sites, including aerosol and label manufacturing, as well as warehouse operations within the Winson Group. The Winson Group should be proud of their site and their manufacturing facilities.

NEW MEMBERSThe AIP would like to welcome the following new Members...

Bree Ford Associate VICHemant Khetwani Associate NSWFlorencia Rovagna Associate NSW

STATE

NEW DIPLOMA STUDENT WELCOMED

The AIP would like to take this opportunity to welcome Norwind Khor MAIP, Process Engineer Sealed Air Corp to the Institute. Norwind’s responsibilities include supporting development of new products and maximising performance and efficiency while reducing the amount of raw material and energy needed to get precious assets in

the manufacturing areas. She has been with the industry for 6 years and her expertise is in manufacturing processes (bag making, printing and extrusion). Norwind has enrolled in the Diploma in Packaging Technology course as she wants to develop her knowledge in all aspects of packaging including materials, function, processes and more. She is hoping to leave this course better prepared to implement functional design elements and sustainability practices to her company’s packaging related operations. Please join the AIP in welcoming Norwind Khor and we look forward to seeing her graduate from the Diploma in Packaging Technology in the not-too-distant-future.

Norwind Khor MAIPProcess EngineerSealed Air Corp

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 20152

WHAT’S NEW IN THE FIFTH EDITION• Peer-reviewed and improved by nearly 100 subject

matter experts in all areas of packaging to add to the previous work of Walter Soroka.

• New insights reflecting the contributions of numerous packaging veterans at the industry’s leading trade associations and consumer product companies.

• Two new chapters: packaging law and packaging and the environment.

• Completely rewritten, updated and newly illustrated chapter on fiberboard.

• Updated content in every chapter.• New discussions on design, digital printing, smart

packaging, bioplastics, supply chains and more.• Expanded section on pharmaceutical packaging.• A comprehensive chapter review questions answer key

in the back of the book.• References to websites for additional reading.• New and revised illustrations, photography and tables

to enhance understanding of packaging principles.

Over 748 pages, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, Fifth Edition gives you the most authoritative, current and comprehensive information available on all the major areas of packaging! Clear and concise, with easy-to-understand explanations from IoPP technical committee members and experts at the industry’s leading packaging associations.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY TEXTBOOK

TO ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE TEXTBOOK PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW HTTP://AIPACK.COM.AU/EDUCATION/PACKAGING-TEXT-BOOKS/

NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALASIA THROUGH THE AIP

AIP PARTNERS

Find out how your company can become a partner of the AIP by emailing info@aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 3

POSITION VACANT

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a global pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare company that sets international benchmarks for research and development and has a strong focus on developing its people. As one of Australia’s fastest growing consumer healthcare companies, GSK Consumer has many trusted, global brands including Panadol, Sensodyne and Nicabate. GSK’s mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and

live longer.

At the Ermington manufacturing site we have produced Panadol for many years – one of the top 5 most trusted and one of the 50 most desirable brands in Australia. We’re very proud of our success and heritage.

A new opportunity has arisen for an experienced Packaging Engineer to join our Consumer Healthcare Supply Chain team at Ermington.

Reporting to the Change Lead, your key responsibilities will include:• Manage the full packaging Life Cycle and oversight for site compliance with all primary, secondary and tertiary packaging

specifications, drawings and dielines. • Gather data on packaging performance, analysing such and recommending next steps to improve packaging performance.• Capture knowledge in specifications and technical reports.• Manage site packaging technical transfers.• Manage packaging elements of all packaging change on site.• Support all new product development and pack changes by providing accurate artwork ready packaging specifications,

drawings, dielines. • Implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive best practice packaging and ensure packaging processes are

optimised.• Manage supplier relationships to maintain quality standards.• Provide site input to pack design and lead SIA for packaging elements as part of NPI or Tech Transfer process.• The SME for all Agile packing oversight and transactions.• Approval of artwork in capacity of Packaging Engineer.

Knowledge and skills required:• Good understanding of packaging design and how packaging is formed and its relationship with the equipment it will be

packed on. • Demonstrated Pack Tech experience gained in either a pharmaceutical or FMCG environment.• Understanding of GMP.• Experience with computerised artwork systems (Agile highly regarded).• Ability to plan and prioritise work.• Strong relationship building skills and aptitude for engaging at all levels.• Outstanding communication skills both written and verbal.• Collaborative and team focused approach.

If you want to work for a company with a true sense of purpose, find out what we have to offer.

To apply for this position, please submit your application via www.gsk.com.au/careers searching for Req ID WD30659.

TECHNICAL PACKAGING ENGINEER

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 20154

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2015ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY EVENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALANDTo register to attend any of the events simply email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page on www.aipack.com.au

Pierre Pienaar MSc, FAIP, CPP This Food Safety-Packaging Standards & Regulations half-day training course will help suppliers and packaging businesses as well as retailers become fully familiar with the requirements of the Standard.

When: Wednesday the 22nd of JulyWhere: Oatlands Golf Course Club HouseTime: 10.00 amPresenter:

AIP/SPE TECHNICAL DINNER

TOOHEYS BREWERY SITE VISITMEMBERS ONLY

VISY GLASS RECYCLING FACILITY SITE VISIT

AIP/SCLAA TECHNICAL LOUNGE

When: Thursday 6th of AugustWhere: Oatlands Golf Course Club HouseSpeakers:

When: Thursday 17th of SeptemberWhere: Tooheys Brewery, LidcombeWhat:

When: Wednesday the 29th of JulyWhere: Visy Industries, Laverton NorthWhat:

When: Wednesday 5th of AugustWhere: Box Hill Golf ClubWhat:

PanelIncludes:

Marlene Cronje-Vermeulen MAIPPackaging TechnologistDiageo Australia Innovative Packaging Developments From Diageo Australia

All attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the Brewery Director about the processes and culture on-site as well as learn about the beer brewing process, the packaging of product and see first-hand the manufacturing process across the packaging hall and warehousing/dispatch hall. All attendees will be invited to finish the tour by enjoying some of the Tooheys product in the on-site Tap Room.

This site visit will provide an overview of the glass recycling process including: view in-feed raw materials, binder glass recycling plant, finished goods and QC testing systems.

Visy are vertically integrated manufacturers. Visy Recycling processes include:• ~1M tonnes of Kerbside Recyclables p/annum• Victoria processes in excess of 200k tonnes. • 70k tonnes of glass is refined at the Laverton site.

The Technical Lounge will include a panel discussion on ‘Understanding the Packaging Supply Chain’. Topics to be discussed will include: Sustainable Packaging and the Supply Chain. Understanding how Shelf-Ready Packaging moves through a Supply Chain. The importance of collaboration and integration of the packaging Supply Chain between brand owners, packaging manufacturers, suppliers and logistics providers.

Misbah Khan Dip.Pkg.Tech. MAIPPackaging Productivity Lead: Corrugate & Displays Asia PacificMondelēz International

Craig JacksonGroup General Manager Procurement & SupplyOrora Limited

Jackie Smiles MAIPEnvironment and Sustainability ManagerBlackmores LtdPresenting the new Blackmores Amber Bulk packs and describing the journey from concept through to commercialisation along with all the considerations and testing they carried out.

NSW

VIC

NSW

NSW

NSW

FOOD SAFETY-PACKAGING STANDARDS & REGULATIONS HALF-DAY TRAINING

Thursday 20th & Friday 21st AugustSofitel Hotel Brisbane

2015 Queensland

BUILDING the SUPPLY CHAIN BRAND• ADAPT • BALANCE • CONNECT

More than 5000 delegates from across Australasia have attended the Queensland Supply Chain & Logistics Conference in its 16 year history. Will you be among the delegates in 2015?

When:Where:What:

www.qldscc.com

QLD

* = 3 CPE's

* = 12.5 CPE's

* = 3 CPE's

* = 1 CPE

* = 1 CPE

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 5

When:Where:What: Proudly Supporting

Friday the 30th of OctoberCarbrook Golf Club This charity golf day has been running now for over twenty years and has seen thousands of dollars raised for many charities.

AIP/SCLAA ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAYFOODBANK CHRISTMAS HAMPER PACKING DAY

When:Where:What:

Friday the 4th of DecemberOfficers Mess, Victoria BarracksMembers spend the day packing Foodbank Hampers to distribute to those in need at Christmas; many of whom are without employment, families with young children and living on the poverty line.

QLD QLD

The Institute for Supply Chain and Logistics is reviewing industry capabilities in Packaged Goods Transport Durability Testing and they need your help to answer two questions... Q1: How packaging manufacturers and suppliers currently test for shipping durability? Is this done off-shore or in

local laboratories? What is a typical process and cost?

Q2: What is the demand from manufacturers, particularly food, advanced manufacturing and wholesale sectors for packaging product durability testing related to shipping of products? e.g.: Shock and vibration; dropping from up to 9 metres; temperature and humidity profiles; deceleration and pressure in transportation.

PACKAGING DURABILITY TESTING

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR ANSWERS TO INFO@AIPACK.COM.AU

800 REASONS TO HELP

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THE 2015 FOODBANK HAMPERS PLEASE EMAIL INFO@AIPACK.COM.AU TODAY!PROUDLY ORGANISED BY

In the last five years the AIP, the APPMA, the SCLAA and the QSCLC, have packed 3200 hampers to the value of close to $400,000 for people in need and we have 800 reasons that we need your help again in 2015! Nominate your company, your social club or even your family and friends to help collect or purchase items, or even donate funds towards 800x items from Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant, Tinned Food, Rice, Pasta, Razors to name a few. Help us to make Christmas a brighter time for those in need.

QLD

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2015

ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY EVENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALANDTo register to attend any of the events simply email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page on www.aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 20156

20 21May 2015 May 2015A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

asiapacificpackaging.net asiapacificpackaging.net

PackagingPackaging

Mission to teach global packaging

Pierre Pienaar has a mission: to share his packaging technology expertise with as many people around the world as possible

WITH a three year term to champion packaging education in the countries that most sorely need it, Pierre Pienaar says he can

already feel the clock ticking.The director of Queensland-based

PackTech Solutions and former AIP president has recently been voted into the role of vice president of the World Packaging Organisation, with responsibility for education globally.

He tells APP, “Three years is a short time when you look across the globe at what you would like to achieve. Like anyone coming into a role, I want to leave something behind, and the more knowledge I can share, the better.

“It is no use going into retirement with all that knowledge. I would like to pass it on and see the benefits; that excites me. It gives me a positive outlook to tackle the next country.

“I have a particular interest in ensuring that developing countries have the opportunity for better packaging education. The WPO can help them become more up-to-date with what is happening in the industry.

“We intend to implement direct formal education of folk in developing countries in the next five years. Certainly in my term of three years I am

going to make sure that happens.“I want to know that when my

term comes to an end, I have made a difference. If I have taught one more person something they did not know before, then I will have made a difference.”

Pienaar has already run packaging technology courses in Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Singapore, and is in discussion to set up programmes in China and Central America.

Later this year, he will return to Nigeria for a follow-up course, travel to Vietnam to run a five-day programme, and will also visit Ghana for the first time to run a training course in packaging technology.

Thomas Schneider, president of the WPO, says arable land and growing populations in African countries makes them ideal future hubs for food production, with the potential to export worldwide – with the right packaging.

He says the first step towards building a foundation for a packaging boom in Africa is to educate people about its value in protecting food for better health and avoiding waste.

He told delegates at the recent AIP National Packaging Conference in Sydney, “Right now Africa’s population is somewhere just beyond 600 million people, and by 2050 the UN says it will be about 1.9 billion. That is a lot of people, who will require more food and more packaging.

“As these countries grow, the middle class will grow in leaps and bounds, lifting people out of poverty. That is where the packaging opportunity is:

in food, beverage and electronics. This is why the WPO is so involved in packaging education in developing countries.

“It is just at the beginning stages, but we are seeing some positive things coming out of our programmes. In 2050 we will be seeing a much different Africa.”

The WPO has so far assisted in setting up institutes and professional societies in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

Pienaar says in certain African countries nearly 60 per cent of food is sold in open markets; these people are subsistence-farming oriented but do not always know how to keep their produce fresh for longer periods.

He says, “Historically a farmer brings their product to market and, if they do not sell it today, they bring it back tomorrow. The problem then is that their tomatoes will not be in a fresh state tomorrow.

“There is a great desire amongst these people to learn more about protecting their produce. In Nigeria, we had around 35 people join our class for a week of training, and they have asked us to come back for a follow-up.”

Pienaar says running packaging training courses in Nigeria and in other developing countries has been rewarding, with students eager to grasp the concepts and improve their knowledge.

He says, “Certainly in Nigeria we were astounded at just how much information the students took in over five days. They are really eager to learn.

In all of our courses in developing nations so far, the students have been open to discussing their problems. They ask thoughtful questions and you quickly get caught up in lengthy discussions.

“One lady in Nigeria, for instance, was looking to improve the packaging for her cocoa beans, to keep them protected at the market and on the journey from the farm. Markets in Nigeria are open, so everything is in the sun. You may have a sheet of plastic over your goods but the sun is moving all the time so the produce is not always protected.

“This lady said she had an issue with perspiration, or sweating, inside the bags she was using to package her cocoa beans. In a first world country that is an easy problem to solve. For her, it was a major issue. She had probably been using that kind of bag since taking on the business from her mother – she did not know what other packaging was available. It was a matter of changing the structure of the bag, to allow airflow through the material. We put her in touch with a packaging supplier in Lagos; when I go back this year I will find out if they have solved her problem.

“At our course in Indonesia, a pharmaceutical company was looking to overcome a barrier issue with one of its products. Six weeks after discussing their issue in class I met up with them at Interpak – they were already well down the track of putting the measures in place. I am encouraged by what I am seeing coming out of the classes. It gives me excitement looking ahead for the next three years as to how we can effectively make a difference.”

He says hanging out with the locals is the best way to get to know their cultural quirks, the kinds of foods available, and to start helping to solve their packaging issues.

“You can only appreciate their needs once you have your feet on the ground, experiencing how they do things. The requirements of Africa, for instance, are different to Asia. The foods are different, so the type of packaging also

differs,” he says.“Earlier this year in Indonesia I saw

a lot of tropical fruit that I had never come across before – the physical structure of it was so different. Many of the Asian countries are also big in textiles and clothing, which needs its own packaging.

“Many companies in developing countries struggle on with their packaging; they read something on the internet, or learn from other companies, but to have a consultant on the ground with them, working through their issues in a problem-solving constructive way – they come away having learned something. That is meaningful. It is also important to have a follow-up visit, perhaps a year later, to ensure they are using what they learnt in the class.”

He hopes to host a training course in China this year, to look at how packaging can help to alleviate their food shortage issues, and is in discussion with Central American countries – Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela – to help lift their game in line with thriving neighbouring industries in Argentina and Brazil.

He will also travel to Vietnam in October on a fact-finding mission, to see what packaging is required there and to run a week-long course in packaging technology.

But it is not just developing countries that need attention; he says closer to home Australia may be about to experience a packaging skill shortage as experienced technologists head towards retirement.

He says, “There is a void at the moment of those to follow, between the ages of 20 and 35. We need to bring in people who are well-versed in the science, technology and engineering of packaging, through formal education and experience.

“There are lots of statistics out there, but roughly 30 per cent of food is wasted. It needs to be looked at in a more focused, constructive manner.”

Mondelēz has seen the coming gap, and says its goal is ‘to deliver the next generation of talent to Australia’ by

sponsoring 15 students a year for the first three years of a new Master of Food and Packaging Innovation programme at the University of Melbourne.

Nicholas Georges, director of research, development and quality for premium chocolate and dairy with Mondelēz in the Asia Pacific, says, “Australia is at the doorstep of Asia and already exports a lot of commodities there, particularly food. China is not an emerging market, it has already has a middle class of 300 million people. Food is probably at the top of the shopping list as people gain affluence.

“On the flipside, on trend from now to 2020 there is a decrease in jobs in the food manufacturing industry in Australia. For us, this does not compute. We want to break this cycle.

“We want our graduates to come to us as food innovators – for which they will need more than the Bachelor degree. We need the best staff, the best minds.

“We have invited several industry bodies like the AIP to design an industry-wide curriculum. We want to impart the best of what the industry knows, including a practice period with one of our companies. We need to get the best brains into our industry to learn innovation within the context of food, and integrate that into every one of our companies.”

Pienaar says he is encouraged by the growing number of countries to join the WPO and benefit from the worldwide network of information and experience.

He says, “Something like 53 countries are now involved in the organisation. Croatia has just come on board. Every year one or two countries join, and they can only benefit from it.

“If I have a problem with a project, with the contacts I have made through the WPO there will be someone in the world who I can phone. Someone will have been through a similar scenario.

“At the WPO board meeting I met my counterpart from Austria, who is knowledgeable in certain polymers. I explained my issue to him and by the time I left it was resolved; I knew which way to go, which I did not know when I left Australia. It is a big pool of knowledge.”

No sign of packaging: Shopkeeper in Accra’s Makola Market, Ghana

Packaging training in Indonesia in March earlier this year

A woman manages her product at a market in Accra, Ghana

THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM ASIA PACIFIC PACKAGING MAGAZINE

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 7

20 21May 2015 May 2015A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

A S I A P A C I F I C P A C K A G I N G

asiapacificpackaging.net asiapacificpackaging.net

PackagingPackaging

Mission to teach global packaging

Pierre Pienaar has a mission: to share his packaging technology expertise with as many people around the world as possible

WITH a three year term to champion packaging education in the countries that most sorely need it, Pierre Pienaar says he can

already feel the clock ticking.The director of Queensland-based

PackTech Solutions and former AIP president has recently been voted into the role of vice president of the World Packaging Organisation, with responsibility for education globally.

He tells APP, “Three years is a short time when you look across the globe at what you would like to achieve. Like anyone coming into a role, I want to leave something behind, and the more knowledge I can share, the better.

“It is no use going into retirement with all that knowledge. I would like to pass it on and see the benefits; that excites me. It gives me a positive outlook to tackle the next country.

“I have a particular interest in ensuring that developing countries have the opportunity for better packaging education. The WPO can help them become more up-to-date with what is happening in the industry.

“We intend to implement direct formal education of folk in developing countries in the next five years. Certainly in my term of three years I am

going to make sure that happens.“I want to know that when my

term comes to an end, I have made a difference. If I have taught one more person something they did not know before, then I will have made a difference.”

Pienaar has already run packaging technology courses in Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Singapore, and is in discussion to set up programmes in China and Central America.

Later this year, he will return to Nigeria for a follow-up course, travel to Vietnam to run a five-day programme, and will also visit Ghana for the first time to run a training course in packaging technology.

Thomas Schneider, president of the WPO, says arable land and growing populations in African countries makes them ideal future hubs for food production, with the potential to export worldwide – with the right packaging.

He says the first step towards building a foundation for a packaging boom in Africa is to educate people about its value in protecting food for better health and avoiding waste.

He told delegates at the recent AIP National Packaging Conference in Sydney, “Right now Africa’s population is somewhere just beyond 600 million people, and by 2050 the UN says it will be about 1.9 billion. That is a lot of people, who will require more food and more packaging.

“As these countries grow, the middle class will grow in leaps and bounds, lifting people out of poverty. That is where the packaging opportunity is:

in food, beverage and electronics. This is why the WPO is so involved in packaging education in developing countries.

“It is just at the beginning stages, but we are seeing some positive things coming out of our programmes. In 2050 we will be seeing a much different Africa.”

The WPO has so far assisted in setting up institutes and professional societies in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

Pienaar says in certain African countries nearly 60 per cent of food is sold in open markets; these people are subsistence-farming oriented but do not always know how to keep their produce fresh for longer periods.

He says, “Historically a farmer brings their product to market and, if they do not sell it today, they bring it back tomorrow. The problem then is that their tomatoes will not be in a fresh state tomorrow.

“There is a great desire amongst these people to learn more about protecting their produce. In Nigeria, we had around 35 people join our class for a week of training, and they have asked us to come back for a follow-up.”

Pienaar says running packaging training courses in Nigeria and in other developing countries has been rewarding, with students eager to grasp the concepts and improve their knowledge.

He says, “Certainly in Nigeria we were astounded at just how much information the students took in over five days. They are really eager to learn.

In all of our courses in developing nations so far, the students have been open to discussing their problems. They ask thoughtful questions and you quickly get caught up in lengthy discussions.

“One lady in Nigeria, for instance, was looking to improve the packaging for her cocoa beans, to keep them protected at the market and on the journey from the farm. Markets in Nigeria are open, so everything is in the sun. You may have a sheet of plastic over your goods but the sun is moving all the time so the produce is not always protected.

“This lady said she had an issue with perspiration, or sweating, inside the bags she was using to package her cocoa beans. In a first world country that is an easy problem to solve. For her, it was a major issue. She had probably been using that kind of bag since taking on the business from her mother – she did not know what other packaging was available. It was a matter of changing the structure of the bag, to allow airflow through the material. We put her in touch with a packaging supplier in Lagos; when I go back this year I will find out if they have solved her problem.

“At our course in Indonesia, a pharmaceutical company was looking to overcome a barrier issue with one of its products. Six weeks after discussing their issue in class I met up with them at Interpak – they were already well down the track of putting the measures in place. I am encouraged by what I am seeing coming out of the classes. It gives me excitement looking ahead for the next three years as to how we can effectively make a difference.”

He says hanging out with the locals is the best way to get to know their cultural quirks, the kinds of foods available, and to start helping to solve their packaging issues.

“You can only appreciate their needs once you have your feet on the ground, experiencing how they do things. The requirements of Africa, for instance, are different to Asia. The foods are different, so the type of packaging also

differs,” he says.“Earlier this year in Indonesia I saw

a lot of tropical fruit that I had never come across before – the physical structure of it was so different. Many of the Asian countries are also big in textiles and clothing, which needs its own packaging.

“Many companies in developing countries struggle on with their packaging; they read something on the internet, or learn from other companies, but to have a consultant on the ground with them, working through their issues in a problem-solving constructive way – they come away having learned something. That is meaningful. It is also important to have a follow-up visit, perhaps a year later, to ensure they are using what they learnt in the class.”

He hopes to host a training course in China this year, to look at how packaging can help to alleviate their food shortage issues, and is in discussion with Central American countries – Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela – to help lift their game in line with thriving neighbouring industries in Argentina and Brazil.

He will also travel to Vietnam in October on a fact-finding mission, to see what packaging is required there and to run a week-long course in packaging technology.

But it is not just developing countries that need attention; he says closer to home Australia may be about to experience a packaging skill shortage as experienced technologists head towards retirement.

He says, “There is a void at the moment of those to follow, between the ages of 20 and 35. We need to bring in people who are well-versed in the science, technology and engineering of packaging, through formal education and experience.

“There are lots of statistics out there, but roughly 30 per cent of food is wasted. It needs to be looked at in a more focused, constructive manner.”

Mondelēz has seen the coming gap, and says its goal is ‘to deliver the next generation of talent to Australia’ by

sponsoring 15 students a year for the first three years of a new Master of Food and Packaging Innovation programme at the University of Melbourne.

Nicholas Georges, director of research, development and quality for premium chocolate and dairy with Mondelēz in the Asia Pacific, says, “Australia is at the doorstep of Asia and already exports a lot of commodities there, particularly food. China is not an emerging market, it has already has a middle class of 300 million people. Food is probably at the top of the shopping list as people gain affluence.

“On the flipside, on trend from now to 2020 there is a decrease in jobs in the food manufacturing industry in Australia. For us, this does not compute. We want to break this cycle.

“We want our graduates to come to us as food innovators – for which they will need more than the Bachelor degree. We need the best staff, the best minds.

“We have invited several industry bodies like the AIP to design an industry-wide curriculum. We want to impart the best of what the industry knows, including a practice period with one of our companies. We need to get the best brains into our industry to learn innovation within the context of food, and integrate that into every one of our companies.”

Pienaar says he is encouraged by the growing number of countries to join the WPO and benefit from the worldwide network of information and experience.

He says, “Something like 53 countries are now involved in the organisation. Croatia has just come on board. Every year one or two countries join, and they can only benefit from it.

“If I have a problem with a project, with the contacts I have made through the WPO there will be someone in the world who I can phone. Someone will have been through a similar scenario.

“At the WPO board meeting I met my counterpart from Austria, who is knowledgeable in certain polymers. I explained my issue to him and by the time I left it was resolved; I knew which way to go, which I did not know when I left Australia. It is a big pool of knowledge.”

No sign of packaging: Shopkeeper in Accra’s Makola Market, Ghana

Packaging training in Indonesia in March earlier this year

A woman manages her product at a market in Accra, Ghana

THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM ASIA PACIFIC PACKAGING MAGAZINE

AIP NEWSLETTER JULY 20158

11

June 2015 | Food&Drink business

education

LAST MONTH SAW the launch of a new post-graduate degree specifically for the food and packaging industry, the new Masters of Food and Packaging Innovation program. The course was created in collaboration by The University of Melbourne, Mondelez International and the Aus-tralian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

The aim of the course is to foster creative in-novation and entrepreneurial practices, and drive further engagement with Asia.

Offered over two full-time years (or four part-time), the program explores food science, entre-preneurship and innovation in product and packaging design at an advanced level. Students will learn food science fundamentals, analyse product and packaging design, project manage-ment and critical thinking skills and engage in a rigorous six-month industry internship.

Besides gaining a broad understanding of the industry, graduates will also have specialised in a specific expert stream, either Packaging, Con-sumer Analytic or Creativity and Innovation.

The program is an unusual move for the Uni-versity, as its inception was driven by Mondelez.

“This is a very different way for the University of Melbourne to approach a Master’s degree,” ex-plained University of Melbourne vice-chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis. “We’re an academic insti-tution that is used to framing things around aca-

demic questions. But we know the world has changed around us, and we need to change.”

Managing director of Mondelez International Australia and New Zea-land, Amanda Banfield said it became clear to the company it needed to be doing even more to invest in building capability to sustain competitiveness for the long term. “In-novation, for us, is really one of the most important growth levers that we have,” she said. “We see [this degree] addressing a rather major skills-gap with-in the industry. It’s absolutely about finding a tal-ent pipeline, and finding ways to stimulate innova-tion all the way through the supply chain.”

At the launch, the Dean of the Faculty of Veteri-nary and Agricultural Sciences, Professor Ken Hinch-cliff, said that the time is ripe to develop a deeper pool of expertise in the food and packaging industry.

“Fast moving foods, as we know, are a growing export industry, with the potential to grow further and faster as the middle class of Asia continues to grow in spending power.

“Even more than most industries, this sector is driven by innovation. It requires creative think-ers, who can take a critical view of processes and

products, and use this to create new products that will surprise and excite consumers.”

Academic program coordinator, Professor Frank Dunshea, believes the program will not only provide a pool of excellent quality gradu-ates to the industry, but will drive important research and development at the university. At present, there are around 30 students complet-ing PhDs in food and agricultural areas, but there are none in the packaging field.

“We’re certainly hoping there will be students who flow through from the Masters into the PhD,” he said. “There’s a strong nexus between teaching and research. Obviously, if you’re an expert in an area, you can teach well in that area too.”

Dunshea believes the new Masters will help grow the Australian industry’s profile on the inter-national stage. In concert with the Masters pro-gram, the University is involved in an ARC-funded Industrial Transformation Research Program with Mondelez, which includes a packaging pro-gram, in particular for product going into China.

“In some areas we’re at the forefront. I think we’ve got excellent raw products to develop and work with,” said Dunshea. “But, we do lack some of the creativity and the innovators, those people who come up with the ideas and take them through to a product. That’s where we and the industry see the real gap.”

Recent graduates of any Bachelor’s degree – including Science with a major of food science, biotechnology or chemistry, but also those with degrees in Business – are encouraged to apply, as are professionals already working in the industry.

The university has also made a number of $25,000 high-achiever bursaries available to al-low students to commit wholly to the degree.

For her part, Banfield believes the degree will allow graduates to hit the ground running the minute they find a position.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with future graduates of this program,” she said.

The AIP will be coordinating the Food Packaging Materials and Processes subjects and the Food Pack-aging Design subjects for the Masters program.

Masters of FoodA new Masters course aims to furnish food and packaging professionals with the skills to create products that surprise and excite.

“Even more than most industries, this sector is driven by innovation. It requires creative thinkers who can take a critical view of processes and products.”

Amanda Banfield

From left: Professor Frank Dunshea, Amanda Banfield, Ken Hinchcliff and Professor Glyn Davis.

THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM FOOD&DRINK MAGAZINE

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