Prof. Pierre Pienaar

Pierre Pienaar’s interest in packaging started in 1984 after having studied pharmacy. Soon after joining a large pharmaceutical company, Pierre became concerned about a number of packaging-related issues in the pharmaceutical world. This combined field has taken him to the far corners of the world, always involving one or other aspects of research in packaging. Pierre has attended international congresses and conferences where he has delivered and continues to present papers and continues to judge national and international packaging competitions. He continues to write articles for numerous packaging magazines around the world. Pierre has a Master of Science Degree (Packaging Engineering/ Technology) from Brunel University, UK. He also has a Master of Manufacturing and Production Degree from University of Hertfordshire, UK. He is a registered Certified Packaging Professional in over 60 countries. He has been National President of the South African Institute of Packaging (IPSA), an honorary life member of (IPSA), a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), Professional member of the Australian Food, Industry and Science Technology and an honorary life member of the South African Institute of Packaging, Southern Africa. He is a packaging engineer in his own packaging consulting business, PackTech Solutions Pty Ltd and has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and food packaging industries. He is the current National Education Director, Past National President of the AIP and past Vice President of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), responsible for global packaging education. He has lectured in the technology and science of packaging at various universities and institutions around the world for the past twenty eight years. He currently lectures the Masters students in Food Innovation and Packaging at University of Melbourne(Australia), Bond University (Australia), Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Sichuan University (China), Jiangnan University (China), Tra Vinh University (Vietnam), Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), Rochester Institute of Technology (USA), Wien University of Applied Sciences (Austria) and University of New South Wales(Australia). 

Summary

Presentation Title: Challenges for Global Packaging Industry

When it comes to the environmental impacts of our products, a focus on packaging can make it challenging and hard to see the forest for the trees. We are all aware that packaging materials are very visible to the consumer. There are growing pressures from consumers, retailers, packaging suppliers, regulators and environmental groups for the development of environmentally-friendly packaging.  We are all demanding more sustainable systems which are formalised in various corporate social responsibility goals as well as publicised in the media. Consequently, sustainability is no longer simply ‘nice to have’ but is now a necessity for attracting consumers and protecting market share. It is now an expectation, not simply an identifier. Packaging, and more so plastic packaging, is receiving intense focus and consequently, there have been significant advances in sustainability, but this has been a difficult challenge for the packaging industry. Professor Pierre Pienaar, President of the World Packaging Organisation will share his ideas and convictions as to what can, quite simply, meet the global challenge of our industry and thus make our planet, more sustainable.

Presentation File: PDF