{"id":7835,"date":"2026-03-10T13:59:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/pdc\/?page_id=7835"},"modified":"2026-03-10T13:59:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:59:53","slug":"past-events-2025-maine-forest-biomaterials-week","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/pdc\/past-events-2025-maine-forest-biomaterials-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Past Events: 2025 Maine Forest Biomaterials Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2025 Maine Forest Biomaterials Week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thermoformed Molded Fiber Symposium<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Tours of the\u00a0Process Development Center<\/strong>\u00a0(including demonstrations) and the\u00a0Advanced Structures and Composites Center<\/strong>, home to the largest 3D printer in the world and BioHome, a 3D printed house<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Tuesday, August 26, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    • Keynote Presentation: \u201cDeveloping the Difference: Fiber Trays for Modern Food Retail\u201d \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Mike Roxas, Packaging Engineer Manager, Adhold Delhaize USA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Q&A Session:\u00a0<\/strong>Moderated by: Kelly Helein, VP Business Development, Genera<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Machinery Panel<\/strong>:\u00a0Leading equipment manufacturers discuss challenges in getting capital costs down, reducing water and energy use, and equipment specs needed for comparing cycle times.<\/em>\n
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      • Moderator: Scott Lilley, Rev1 Packaging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cPackaging that Performs: Designing for Real World Composting and Solid Waste Systems\u201d \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Susan Thoman, Founder and Managing Director, Composter Approved<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cAqueous Coating Considerations: Thermoformed Molded Fiber Product Applications\u201d \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Gordon Bugg, Principal Engineer \u2013 Coating, Kemira<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cCoating Molded Fiber Articles\u201d<\/strong>\u2013 Bob Versluys, Senior Technical Manager, Motus<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Coating Panel<\/strong>:\u00a0Chemical suppliers discuss challenges in coating molded fiber articles, new application technologies, curing and drying issues, new geometries, and keeping costs down.<\/em>\n
          \n
        • Moderator:\u00a0<\/strong>Jim Fogg, Director of Sales and Business Development, Motus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Wednesday, August 27, 2025<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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          • Manufacturer\u2019s Panel:\u00a0<\/strong>A\u00a0dynamic discussion on the key limitations and challenges in the industry, focusing on factors such as equipment, fiber sources, chemistry, instrumentation, and the global economy.<\/em>\n
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            • Moderator: Chelsea Cross, Business Development Manager, Barriers & Molded Fiber, Solenis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Rapid Fire Student Presentations \u2013 Part 1<\/strong>:\u00a0Graduate students give short presentations on\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>their posters<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • \u201cMicrofibrillated Cellulose (MFC) in Molded Fiber Trays\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 David Cowles, Valmet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • \u201cMFC produced using FiberLean Wet Stirred Media Mills: Applications in molded and formed fiber products\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Mark Paradis, Customer Technical Services Director \u2013 North America, FiberLean Technologies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Brand Perspective\/Wrap-up<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Wes Blanding, Senior Account Sales Executive, Daikin America, Inc. and Vineet Dua, Scientist, Daikin America, Inc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n