Packaging is a hot item on the agenda at the next AIFST Convention with a number of international and local heavyweights focussing on innovation and opportunities in food packaging and nanotechnology.
The 42nd annual Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Convention will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 13 to 16 July 2009.
With high expectations over recent years about the widespread replacement of oil-derived plastics with biobased materials in packaging, Professor Dr Jose Lagaron’s session - ‘Are biobased plastics the answer’ - will give a fresh snapshot of the potential for these materials in food packaging.
Prof. Dr Lagaron, from the Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Lab, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Valencia Spain, will be addressing property limitations traditionally associated with these materials, and the combining of active and bioactive packaging with nanotechnology strategies in food packaging.
In another session Lagaron further discusses nanotechnology in food packaging, ‘from the lab to the shelf’.
Development and commercialisation of polymer nanocomposites for packaging applications is the topic of Dong-Yang Wu of CSIRO’s materials Science and Engineering, currently on secondment to Boeing Research and Technology in Melbourne, Victoria.
Insights will include the latest research and development in nanocomposites design, processing and performance, through to the future trends for packaging applications.
For anyone with an eye to developing packaging for our ever increasing ageing population, Dr Alaster Yoxall’s session should be of high interest.
His Human Centred Engineering Group at the Sheffield Hallam University has undertaken studies that point to acute problems with accessibility of some forms of packing, which leads to complex coping strategies and altered consumer behaviour.
Dr Yoxall will outline results and describe the issues that altered behaviour poses for the packaging industry.
The impressive AIFST Convention program, packed with presentations by international industry leaders, is designed to help delegates recognise and adapt to the local and global changes of this downturn.
Subjects include sustainability in food production, new technologies, food safety, business outlook/financial stability, nanotechnology, environmental impact on food and product innovation and trends.
The Convention offers attendees improved business knowledge and updated technical tools, support systems and contacts to assist in meeting these ‘crunching’ issues.
Additionally, satellite workshops will be conducted on 16 July 2009, with topics being new product development, consumer research and food allergen management.
A trade exhibition of 46 services and products for the industry will also be located within the Convention venue.
The Convention is supported by the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
Convention dates & times Monday 13th July 2009 open 1000, close 1800. Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July open 0830 close at 1700.
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