Between presentations and culture: Highlights of the Paper Sack Seminar in Lima
The fourth International Paper Sack Seminar in Lima, Peru, brought together the entire paper sack "family" from South America and parts of North America for three informative and inspiring days.
Paper sack manufacturers from 15 countries in America, representing 42 production sites, as well as other interested parties attended the seminar. A total of 95 people from 22 countries were represented in Lima, Peru.
The event provided a platform for an intensive exchange between key players in the industry.
The venue hosted a mix of presentations from renowned industry suppliers. Speakers included adhesive suppliers Emsland, Avebe and Agrana, paper supplier Billerud, film supplier Gröning and machinery suppliers Flexowash, Haver & Böcker and Windmöller & Hölscher. The programme was also enriched by guest presentations from EUROSAC (European Association of Paper Sack Manufacturers) and REPASACK (operator of paper sack recycling plants in Germany).
"The topics presented reflected the current challenges and innovations in the industry," said Willi Müller, Managing Director America Latina at W&H. Discussions focused on recycling and sustainability as well as the latest developments in kraft paper for the sack market and advances in machine technology.
Sustainable solution: For the first time at the seminar, name badges (including a strap) were made exclusively from paper.
Of particular interest were the presentations of W&H's FLEXA II Stack Type press and the RUBY IoT platform, which set new standards for the industry. Dominik Wörsdörfer, Product Management Business Unit Converting, explains: "The FLEXA II makes it possible to implement printing solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of paper sack customers. The RUBY platform opens up new horizons for the industry in terms of digital networking and control of production processes".
Another highlight of the seminar was the presentation of the NextGen paper sack line from Brazilian company Klabin. The company was extremely pleased with the new line and shared its enthusiasm and experience with the seminar attendees.
In addition to the presentations, the seminar offered a varied social and cultural programme. Participants had the opportunity to visit an archaeological site and take part in a city tour of Lima. A visit to one of the largest cement factories in the Americas was an exciting technical experience. These activities created an informal atmosphere for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
"The Paper Sack Seminar in Lima was therefore not only a platform for knowledge transfer and networking, but also an experience that highlighted the diversity and innovation of the paper sack industry," said Willi Müller and the other participants.