Plastics Live Ireland 2025 | RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland | 26-27 November 2025
Colocated with:
Colocated with:
Colocated with:
| MODERATOR - Pravin Mistry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Topic | Speaker | |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Biodegradable functional additives and compounds - Biodegradable functional additives and compounds - Biodegradable Additives for Polyolefins – Mechanisms, degradation processes, and testing methodologies. - Biodegradable Additive Masterbatch for Film Production – Enhancing sustainability in packaging and agricultural applications - Biobased & Biodegradable Compounds for Specialty Applications – Innovations and case studies in performance-driven sustainable materials | Gary Ogden, Technical Manager at Wells Performance Materials Ltd | |
| 10:30 - 10:50 | The role of biobased plastics on supporting to reduce carbon footprint and reliance on fossil based polymers Biobased Plastics & Carbon Cycles: Materials derived from renewable sources like sugarcane integrate into natural carbon cycles, reducing reliance on fossil carbon. Sugarcane Potential & Sustainability: Sugarcane-based plastics offer scalable, drop-in solutions with opportunities for sustainable plantation expansion and responsible land use. Climate Impact & Negative Footprint: Biobased plastics can have carbon-neutral or negative footprints, supporting global decarbonization and mitigating climate change. | Richard Lambert, Commercial - Bio-Polymers EMEA, Braskem | |
| 10:50 - 11:15 | APT What We Can Do For You? - Our “What We Can Do For You” presentation provides an overview of APT’s full range of capabilities and how we support industry and academic partners in advancing polymer innovation. The presentation introduces our expert multidisciplinary team and highlights our three core sectors: Analytical Testing & Investigation, Polymer Processing, and 3D Design. It showcases how APT’s state of the art equipment and technical expertise enable companies to solve material challenges, optimise processes, and develop new products. Through a selection of case studies, we demonstrate our track record in collaboration R&D projects, where industry partners benefit from practical solutions, innovation support, and access to grant writing assistance to help secure funding for research and development. The presentation also outlines the funding opportunities available to help companies engage with APT’s services, ensuring projects can move from concept to commercialisation efficiently. | Kenny O'Brien, Centre Manager, Applied Polymer Technology (APT) | |
| 11:15-11:45 | Feasibility of recycled Polypropylene for Reusable Packaging Applications: This study evaluated the feasibility of post-industrial recycled polypropylene (PIR PP) for reusable food packaging, comparing it with virgin homopolymer (Homo PP) and copolymer (Co PP) grades. Injection-moulded containers underwent 20 simulated reuse cycles involving oven heating and commercial dishwashing, with assessments of thermal, mechanical, chemical, colour stability, microbial safety, and QR code traceability. PIR PP demonstrated comparable performance to virgin grades, with minor thermal changes in PIR PP and Co PP that did not affect dimensional stability. PIR PP met EN 1186 chemical migration limits, and microbial testing confirmed effective decontamination after each cycle. QR codes remained scannable across materials. The results support PIR PP as a viable, safe, and durable material for reusable food-contact applications, aligning with EU circular economy goals. | Dr Michael Hopkins, Managing Director of Ross Polymer Services Ltd. | |
| 11:45-12:15 | Controlling Energy Use in Plastics Processing Energy use is increasingly important to plastics processors. This is not simply because of increasing costs but also increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of energy use. Energy use is not fixed and uncontrollable, it is variable and controllable. This practical presentation covers the widely available tools and techniques that can be used to control energy use in plastics processing. | Dr Robin Kent, Managing Director, Tangram Technology | |
| 12:15-12:45 | Shaping the Future: Polymer Skills for Irish Industry Abstract: As Ireland's manufacturing and medical device sectors continue to grow, the demand for advanced polymer processing skills has never been greater. This talk, presented by First Polymer Training Skillnet, will explore the critical role of polymer expertise in supporting key Irish industries, including automotive and medical technology. We will highlight current and emerging skills needs, training solutions, and the importance of upskilling to meet industry demands. Drawing from industry insights, this session will demonstrate how tailored, hands-on training is helping to build a future-ready workforce, ensuring Ireland remains competitive on the global stage. | Catherine Collins, Network Manager, First Polymer Training Skillnet | |
| 12:45-13:15 | Introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Queen's University, Belfast: AMIC represents a £100m collaborative, innovative powerhouse of advanced manufacturing. It is being delivered by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ulster University, and supported by the UK Government and NI Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal. AMIC’s mission is to drive growth and competitiveness across the manufacturing sector through the development of, and partnering with, world-class innovation capability. Accelerated by significant capital funding from the Belfast Region City Deal, and operational since 2023, AMIC incorporates a number of industry facing units in QUB with deep capability in precision engineering, automation, digital manufacturing, polymers processing and composites. Over decades, these teams have served industry through delivering collaborative research and development projects, and through the provision of technical and advisory services. | Mark Kearns, Senior Technical Lead (Polymer Processing), Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) | |
| 13:15-14:00 | Lunch | ||
| Video Presentation - Developments and Trends in Bioplastics Technology and Markets for Flexible Packaging | Dr. Terence A. Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, ARGO Group International Global Polymer Consultants | ||
| 14:00-14:30 | Breathe New Life Into Your Process – Evergreen Innovation Irish processors are under pressure to do more with less, less material waste, less energy, and less downtime. In this session, TSM Polytech’s Shane O’Callaghan will show how practical upgrades in material handling and control can revitalise existing lines, helping manufacturers extract maximum value from their current equipment. The talk will explore: Material utilisation and optimisation – achieving precise gravimetric accuracy and minimising additive use. Effective material management – improving flow and efficiency through automatic debagging, conveying systems, and manifold table design. Process stability and scrap reduction – delivering consistent, homogeneous mixing for better product quality and fewer rejects. Rooted in TSM’s Evergreen Innovation philosophy, Shane will demonstrate how processors can extend equipment life, boost performance, and build a more sustainable production future, without starting from scratch. | Shane O'Callaghan, Commercial Director, TSM | |
| 14:30-15:00 | Recycled, Revalued, Repriced: How PCR Plastics Are Redefining Europe’s Circular Economy By 2032, post-consumer recycled plastics will no longer be a byproduct — they will be a strategic raw material. This keynote explores the economic and regulatory forces transforming the European plastics industry, presenting three price scenarios that reveal how supply bottlenecks, policy ambition, and infrastructure gaps will reshape value creation. Drawing on 50 years of insights from KI•PIE Group, the session highlights how businesses can stay competitive through business intelligence driven procurement decisions and circular product design. | Henry Praum, Director Commerce and Finance, Pricenxt by Plastic Information Europe | |
| 15:00-15:30 | Beyond Cooling: "Conformal Heating Strategies for High-Gloss and Optical-Grade Polymers" - What if we can use AM-integrated heating systems for local thermal modulation in polymer processing? | Colin Meade, Industrial Researcher in Additive Manufacturing, Irish Manufacturing Research | |
| 15:30-16:00 | Cross Border Collaboration between a Co. Monaghan SME and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Belfast. A groundbreaking cross-border collaboration, funded by InterTradeIreland’s Business Explorer Programme, has brought together academic expertise and industry innovation to tackle real-world business challenges. Through the programme, Platinum Tanks in Co. Monaghan secured funding to partner with AMIC engineers, who applied advanced thermal imaging and temperature monitoring technology at the company’s plant. The goal? To uncover hidden areas of energy loss. The results were immediate and impressive. Even within the short study period, the team identified significant opportunities for reducing heating costs, highlighting the power of data-driven innovation in creating tangible business benefits. Building on this success, AMIC and Platinum Tanks are now exploring further collaborative funding with InterTradeIreland. The programme offers a pathway for SMEs to transform innovative findings into actionable strategies—helping businesses not only cut costs but also embed a lasting culture of innovation and continuous improvement. | Dr Mark Mcourt, Senior Engineer, Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Queens University Belfast | |
| MODERATOR - Pravin Mistry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Topic | Speaker | |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | This presentation will show how UK government funding has been deployed to facilitate innovation in the plastics value chain to make plastics more sustainable. It will cover recycling both mechanical and chemical, novel materials, collecting and sorting and return and refill projects amongst others. | Lily Melody & Chrisan Bianco – Knowledge Transfer Managers - KTN-UK | |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | Panel Discussion - The Future of Plastics Overview: This high-level panel will unite leading voices from industry, research, and sustainability to explore how the plastics sector is transforming in response to global environmental, technological, and policy shifts. From material innovation to circular economy strategies, the discussion will highlight both the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of plastic production, use, and recycling. Key Themes: - Innovation and material science driving waste reduction - EU regulations and corporate responsibility in plastics management - Advancing circular economy and closed-loop systems - The role of consumer behaviour in achieving a plastic-neutral future Objective: To foster meaningful dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and business leaders on balancing the benefits of plastics with the need to reduce environmental impact and build a more sustainable industry. | MODERATOR: Caitriona Mordan, Manager, ATIM Cluster John Downey, Chief Executive Officer, MonoBiologics Caitriona Mordan, Manager, ATIM Cluster Kenny O'Brien, Centre Manager, Applied Polymer Technologies Richard Lambert, Business Development and Partnerships | Bio-Polymers EMEA at Braskem | |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Sustainable Innovation in Injection Moulding at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC): Towards a Circular Future The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Queen’s University Belfast has been recently established to serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development in manufacturing, leveraging over 30 years of industry-focused expertise in the polymer sector. This presentation will highlight selected cross-border funding mechanisms and innovation programs designed to enhance the competitive capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will examine how these initiatives foster transnational collaboration and support the transition to sustainable manufacturing practices through the integration of circular economy principles, ultimately contributing to the development of resilient, environmentally sustainable industrial ecosystems. | Dr Paul Hanna, Senior Engineer, Sustainable Polymers & Composites, Queens University Belfast | |
| 12:00 - 12:15 | PolymerConnect: A Strategic Platform for Visibility, Collaboration & Innovation PolymerConnect is a cross-border intelligence platform empowering the polymer sector across the island of Ireland. By enhancing visibility, enabling collaboration through thematic working groups, and driving innovation, it transforms shared insights into strategic impact for industry, academia, and solution providers. | Caitriona Mordan, ATIM Cluster Manager | |
| 12:15 - 12:40 | Effective Material Selection for Plastic Components As performance demands on plastic components continue to rise, so does the risk of premature failure. Choosing the right polymer is therefore critical - but in practice, many products still fail due to avoidable material-selection missteps. This talk will highlight the key factors that drive successful polymer selection, illustrate common pitfalls, and explain how different materials behave under real-world conditions – providing practical guidance to more informed, reliable, and application-appropriate material choices. | Dr Andrew Hulme, Principal Consultant - Plastics, Smithers | |
| 12:40 - 13:30 | Lunch | ||
| 13:30 - 14:00 | Plastics and Sustainability: What Ireland’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Story Reveals? Ireland’s plastic packaging industry offers a real-world test of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This talk shares how companies are affected with EPR implementation, changing the way they buy, produce, and recycle; and what is holding them back. The findings uncover both progress and persistent challenges, from supplier choices to gaps in recycling systems and regulation. Listeners will leave with academic and industrial insight into how EPR can move from policy on paper to real change in practice. | Sevil Bozdogan, Consultant | |
| 14:00 - 14:30 | Your Development Partner for Fast, Efficient Metal Replacement Accelerate your - and your customers - transition from metal to our high performance polyamide compounds | Joseph Clinch, Key Account Manager - Industry and Consumer, EMS-CHEMIE | |
| 14:30-15:00 | How to recycle your plastic parts or waste . A practical guide | Padraig Diarmund Shine, Director, VSR Group | |
