Packaging Technology Hot Topic at ACTECO Event

Packaging professionals involved with the food industry are being invited to learn more about the use of 'functional' coatings to enhance product performance and material capabilities by attending a unique ACTECO educational day being held at CERAM subsidiary, CSMA Ltd on October 17th.

ACTECO is a European Commission funded research project concerned with the eco efficient activation of hyper functional surfaces, specifically examining the use of emerging plasma technologies to achieve functional coatings for commercial applications such as food & drink packaging.

The educational day provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the work being carried out by the twenty five research partners involved in the ACTECO project, including Stoke based CSMA (Centre for surface & materials analysis) which carries out characterisation services for the project using spectroscopic and imaging technologies.

Visitors will also be able to learn about emerging technologies likely to have a significant impact on the industry in the future from some of the world's leading scientists, including Dr Joachim Schneider of IPF in Germany, who will be discussing how plasma technologies can be used to create barrier coatings which prevent the ingress of oxygen and water.

Dr Alan Paul, a CSMA scientist directly involved with the project, commented: “The development of functional coatings for the food and drink packaging industry presents several major opportunities.

“As well as enabling professionals within the industry to target completely new markets (due to the increased functionality made possible), the use of plasma technologies also has environmental benefits as it enables reduced use of water, solvents and hazardous products in textile coating production, while also facilitating a more controlled (and therefore efficient) surface engineering processes. It's so important that those working in the industry are up-to-speed with such issues.”

Those who attend the ACTECO educational day at CSMA will also be given the opportunity to view lab and equipment demonstrations relating to the technologies discussed.

To book a space for the ACTECO training day, which includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day, please contact Dr Justine Bentley on +44 (0)1782 764235 or email justinebentley@csma.ltd.uk

For further information, including a programme & registration form, please click here.

[August 2007]