Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2024
Location: NAIT, Edmonton, AB
Productivity and Innovation Centre
10210 Princess Elizabeth Ave NW Edmonton
Schedule and Proceedings
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 8:15-9:00 | Welcome, exhibit viewing and breakfast |
| 9:00-9:30 | Introduction, land acknowledgment, AEPA Minister's opening remarks |
| 9:30-10:30 | Topic #1: How is government policy developed and how can it drive innovation? - “It’s Hip to be Square! Study up on the plastics industry rules and regulations” |
| 10:30-11:00 | Break, exhibit viewing, networking |
| 11:00-12:00 | Topic #2: Keeping Plastics out of the Environment and in the Economy - “Taking care of Business! Inspire your mind with ways to best manage plastics recycling in your daily operations” |
| 12:00-12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:30-1:15 | Poster session (Academic) & Exhibit Viewing |
| 1:15-2:15 | Topic #3: Innovation and Pilot Projects - “Step by Step! Show off projects that are paving the way for plastics recycling innovation” |
| 2:15-2:45 | Break, exhibit viewing, networking |
| 2:45-3:45 | Topic #4: Success Stories - “We are the Champions! See what others have done to help advance the plastics circular economy” |
| 3:45-3:55 | APRA Board & ED to provide closing remarks |
| 4:00-6:00 | Networking reception, DEMO (upstairs) |
Sessions
Policy/Regulatory – It’s Hip to be Square! Study up on the plastics industry rules and regulations
Discussion of how good government policy is developed and how it can drive innovation. Will include talks on EPR specific to the plastics industry and other regulatory/environmental updates on federal legislation, including upcoming changes for the industry.
Panel:
Moderator – Lorraine Royer (General Manager, Government, Stakeholder & Indigenous Relations / Inter Pipeline Ltd.
- David McKenna
- Meg O’Shea – Director of Strategic Initiatives / Canada Plastics Pact
- Catherine Tays – Project Manager in Environment and Climate Change / CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association)
Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) – Taking care of Business! Inspire your mind with ways to best manage plastics recycling in your daily operations
A best management practice guideline for facilities in the plastics industry to operate in a manner that keeps plastics out of the environment. A walk through of the program will be provided, including possible regulatory implications. Topic will showcase big and small facilities that have already implement such practices, including their challenges and success stories. APRA will also speak to OCS in terms of what it possibly means for the future, and help demonstrate it is not as scary as some may think!
Panel:
Moderator – Courtenay Boyda (Vice President / APRA)
- Shannon Laszlo – Plastics Division Member Relations Manager / Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CIAC)
- Rick Robinson – Team Lead for Environmental Compliance with the Water Utility / City of Calgary
- Theo Boven – Director of Product Development / Hood Packaging Corporation
- Jeremiah Bryska – Applied Chemist – Clean Technologies Team / NAIT
Innovation and pilot projects – Step by Step! Show off projects that are paving the way for plastics recycling innovation
Will showcase plastic-related projects/products/technologies that are currently in progress for the future.
Panelists: Moderator – Jennifer Woolfsmith (Vice President, Sustainability / NOVA Chemicals)
- Jesus Atias – Advanced Recycling and Bio Supply Associate Director / DOW
- Hendrik Dullinger – VP Business Development /EFS Plastics
- Mehdi Pakravan – Vice-President & Chief Technology Officer /Polykar
- Kelsey Deutsch – Industrial Surface Chemist – Clean Technologies Team / NAIT
Success stories – We are the Champions! See what others have done to help advance the plastics circular economy
Will showcase projects/initiatives that have already happened and are currently in place.
Panelists:
Moderator – Ronda Gras (Senior R&D Scientist of Analytical Science / DOW Canada)
- Paul Tas – Director of Technical Services / NOVA Chemicals
- Dean Schultz – General Manager of Heartland Finance / Inter Pipeline Ltd.
- Abe Dyck – Head of Corporate Development / Aduro Clean Technologies Inc.
- Tony Moucachen – President and Co-founder / Merlin Plastics
NAIT Tour: Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC)
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Inter Pipeline Ltd. have initiated a $10 million, ten-year research collaboration to advance the reuse and recycling of plastic in Canada and around the world. This Plastics Research in Action (PRIA) initiative funds innovative applied research projects, much of which occurs within our 190,000 square feet Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) that is located on the north side of Main Campus.
As home to much of NAIT’s applied research, PIC features solutions for business innovation – much of which relates to productivity:
- Product testing
- Technology adoption
- Training and certifications
- Productivity and innovation
- Applied research
- Industry conferences and events
We have numerous flexible workspaces that are adaptable in size and functionality, which gives our industry partners and clients a place to expand ideas and explore solutions. The A-wing of PIC is a 40,000 square foot space that houses wet labs, the analytical core, two microgrid controllers, and an advanced manufacturing core.
The building is designed to LEED Building and Construction certification standards, recognizing sustainability in design and construction. Solar panels installed above the glass canopy in the main foyer will generate 58 kilowatts of electricity per hour and will be used in distributed energy research.
Please join us for a tour during the Alberta Circular Plastics Day 2024 hosted by the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA) at PIC on March 14, 2024