Henkel and Nordmeccanica host Scrap Reduction Workshop

Nearly 60 flexible packaging attendees, including many major converters in North America, attended a recent Scrap Reduction Workshop co-hosted by Nordmeccanica and the Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives business of Henkel Corporation at Nordmeccanica’s U.S. headquarters.

The first-of-its-kind event began with welcoming comments from Vincenzo Cercillo, Vice President Technology, Nordmeccanica, and Jerry Perkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Henkel‘s Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives business in North America.

Following presentations from Giancarlo Caimmi, Commercial Director for Nordmeccanica Group and Guido Kolbach, Ph.D., Technical Director for Henkel Liofol Laminating Adhesives, Duncan Darby, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Packaging Science at Clemson University, delivered a keynote address titled “Scrap: Reduction by Prevention.”

During the workshop, attendees witnessed a lamination run demonstrating the easy processing and long pot life of Henkel’s new robust laminating adhesive system, Liofol LA7773-21 with Liofol LA6016-21. The run was followed by three demonstrations, each focusing on one of three adhesive attributes that prevent scrap: long life, fast cure and robustness.

In a concluding presentation, Justin Mehaffy, Process Solutions Director for Henkel Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction Adhesives, discussed a case study showing the benefits of a structured approach to scrap definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control.

“For the supervisors, operators and decision-makers who run flexible packaging operations, scrap is a big issue,” said Perkins. “Henkel’s philosophy is to have specialists who understand the flexible packaging market and the issues that are important to our customers. Managing scrap well, with the ultimate goal of eliminating it, can make the difference between being profitable and not being profitable.” Attendees were able to hear from Henkel, who supplies adhesive, and Nordmeccanica, a major machine supplier. And the presentation from Duncan Darby, who teaches coursework in a flexible packaging curriculum at Clemson University, was very well received, too.