The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has dubbed its National Technical Forums, which were held alongside Auspack, a success. The Institute says the forums – which fit perfectly within the scope of the larger event –brought together packaging member from throughout the country who gained insight into the advancements and technologies currently available.

During the Awards of excellence, which were held alongside last week’s Auspack, the Australian Packaging Machinery Association (APMA) announced Rebecca Du as the inaugural winner of its annual scholarship programme. The prize enables a person each year to study an Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) Diploma in Packaging Technology.

During last week’s Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Technical Forums, Ian Fletcher was awarded life membership to the AIP for his long-standing contribution to the industry.

During the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Technical Forums, which were held alongside Auspack, Arthritis Australia launched the Ease of Use programme to recognise companies that design user-friendly and easy-to-open consumer packaging and products.

Australian supplier of resins derived from sustainable resources Biograde has rebranded its business and product range to reflect a changing technology and market direction. Under the new Cardia Bioplastics name, the company says it will continue to expand internationally as a developer, manufacturer and marketer of sustainable resins for packaging and plastic products.

Auspack opened to eager industry representatives this week with organisers saying many visitors have already found solutions or discovered new ideas on how to improve their manufacturing processes.

At a recent Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) meeting in Hobart, environment ministers noted the framework prepared by the National Packaging Covenant Council – outlining future Covenant arrangements post June 2010 – and requested that they continue developing a new Covenant for their consideration at the next meeting in November.

Dong Il Paper in Ansan, South Korea has successfully started up its containerboard machine after the installation of an OptiLayer multilayer curtain coater supplied by Metso. The OptiLayer coater enables the mill to produce a totally new coated containerboard grade. Meanwhile, Metso has launched a China Scholarship scheme with seven Chinese educational institutions.

With the doors to Auspack set to open tomorrow the event seems to be staving off the ill effects of the economic climate with pre-registered visitors and exhibitor numbers on par with the last Sydney event in 2005.

The show will boast new and innovative products from ADM Packaging Technology, Cermex Group, BEUMER Group, Blueprint Automation, Camsensor Australia, Colimatic, Dynamic Inspection and Eimco Water Technologies.