MOU will explore ways to transform multibillion-dollar packaging industry with printable and organic electronics
OTTAWA—April 16, 2015—The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (www.cpeia-acei.ca) and PAC, Packaging Consortium (www.pac.ca) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how printable and organic electronics can help Canada’s packaging industry.
“This partnership with PAC is a tremendous stride forward in our commitment to our members, to forge the linkages that will help them create compelling new products and applications that meet the pressing needs of key end users,” said Mark Majewski, Executive Director of the CPEIA. “With their vast reach throughout Canada’s packaging and retail industry supply chains, PAC and its members are the ideal partners with whom to develop intelligent packaging applications powered by printable electronics that can meet key PAC objectives such as reducing food and packaging waste.”
PAC’s 2,200 members come from all sectors of the packaging value chain, from start of life to next life. These include retailers, consumer brands, package manufacturers and services, waste management and government.
With printable and organic electronics (PE), the packaging industry is definitely thinking outside the box. PE is powering new ways to manage inventory, track items as they are shipped, better maintain product freshness, monitor medication usage, identify packing materials for re-cycling and turn consumer packaging into an interactive platform.
For PAC, a key priority is to address waste. For example, a full third of the world’s food goes to waste. The PAC Food Waste initiative is investigating waste in the supply chain and looking at ways to extend product shelf life through innovations in packaging. PAC NEXT, meanwhile, is looking at ways to identify sustainable solutions that can lead to zero packaging waste.
“A key aspect of our mandate is to drive progressive change in the packaging value chain through leadership, collaboration and knowledge sharing,” said James D. Downham, President and CEO of PAC. “Intelligent packaging enabled by printable electronics could drive one of the greatest advances to reduce waste in the packaging industry since the widespread adoption of recycling programs. We are excited to explore with the CPEIA and its Members how PE can help our industry overcome its greatest challenges.”
The MOU is a non-financial commitment between the two organizations to collaborate on a number of initiatives over the next two years. These include participation in technical working groups and educational events such as webinars, technical seminars and trade shows.
About the CPEIA
Established in 2014, the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) brings together key Canadian and international players in industry, academia and government to build a strong Canadian Printable and Organic Electronics technology sector. CPEIA currently has almost 50 members and is growing fast. The Association is the united voice for the sector and implements critical development strategies to facilitate growth through networking, stimulate R&D and investment, build a strong Printable and Organic Electronics supply chain and drive the broad adoption of Printable and Organic Electronics by end customers in a range of Canadian industries, including Packaging, Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, Health and Wellness, Secure Printing, Marketing and Commerce, and Consumer Electronics and Wearables.
For further information or to become a Member, please contact Mark Majewski, President and CEO, at pkallai@cpeia-acei.ca or +1 613-795-8181.
Media inquiries can be directed to Leo Valiquette, Director of Marketing and Communications, at lvaliquette@cpeia-acei.ca or +1 613-769-9479.
About PAC
PAC, Packaging Consortium is a not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1950. PAC is North American centric with global access. PAC advocates for all materials and for package neutrality through an all-inclusive, transparent and collaborative process. Our 2,200 members come from all sectors of the packaging value chain, from start of life to next life. Our networking process includes PAC webinars, seminars, conferences, competitions, facility tours, education programs, trade shows, technical work groups and social activities. From PAC NEXT, our initiative with a vision of A World Without Packaging Waste, to PAC Food Waste and now with this interest in Blue Events Inc., our industry is on a deliberate path to sustainability.
For further information and media inquiries, please contact James D. Downham, President and CEO, at jdd@leaderlinx.com.