PDC Thermoformed Molded Fiber Symposium

thermoformed molded fiber symposium

August 26-27, 2025

register here!

Advancing Molded Fiber: Collaboration Driving Innovation

Join us for the 2nd annual Thermoformed Molded Fiber Symposium hosted by the PDC. This year’s event will feature research from a variety of industry professionals including coating, manufacturing, and brand panels. The symposium aims to foster innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in molded fiber production while addressing industry challenges like cost reduction, recyclability, and performance improvements. 

Program Highlights

The program is still under development, but confirmed speakers and sessions are listed below. Check back for updates, or sign up for The Tray to stay informed.

Tuesday afternoon will be devoted to all things coating. We kickoff with Gordon Bugg, a recognized expert, giving an updated overview. We plan to have additional speakers, and a panel.

“An inside view of coatings for barrier applications, the easy, the hard and the unknown”

Gordon Bugg, Principal Engineer, Coatings, Kemira

The application of a chemical, usually as an aqueous coating which is applied to a fibrous (paper) or synthetic substrate is used to provide desired properties (OGR barrier, MVTR or heat sealing among others). No matter the process, to accomplish the desired goals, the coating and substrate act as a system, with both having to perform to a desired level, otherwise the product may fail. This discussion will focus on the coating being applied to the substrate, and the characteristics that will enhance the performance in a given set of conditions. Up front, an in-depth discussion of this topic would take a few days so today’s talk is designed to spark questions as well as point out key properties for a successful coating application.

A popular session last year, the Manufacturer’s Panel features a dynamic discussion on the key limitations and challenges in the industry, focusing on factors such as equipment, fiber sources, chemistry, instrumentation, and the global economy. Moderated by Chelsea Cross, Business Development Manager, Barriers & Molded Fiber with Solenis, this year’s panelists include:

  • Matt Griswold, Vice President of Innovation, Genera
  • Melissa LaCasse, CEO, Tanbark Molded Fiber Products
  • Miles Leach, CEO, Kanbol
  • Scott Lilley, Rev1
  • more to come!

Schedule

Monday, August 25, 2025
3:00 – 5:00 PMTours of the Process Development Center (PDC) and Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). Sign up during registration.
5:30 – 6:30 PMWelcome Reception
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
8:00 – 8:30 AMBreakfast
8:30 – 12:00 PMPresentations
12:00 – 1:00 PMLunch
1:00 – 5:00 PMPresentations
5:00 – 6:30 PMStudent Researchers Poster Session and Reception
Wednesday, August 27, 2025                                                                                                      
8:00 – 8:30 AMBreakfast
8:30 – 12:00 PMPresentations
12:00-1:00 PMLunch
1:00 – 5:00 PMPDC Cellulose Nanomaterials Forum Advances using Microfibrillated Cellulose in Molded Fiber and Packaging

2024 PDC Thermoformed Molded Fiber Symposium

On December 10-11, 2024. the PDC hosted a gathering of over 90 industry representations serving the thermoformed molded fiber sector. Presentations covered topics from stock prep to coating, and the event concluded with a manufacturer’s panel discussing industry wide issues.

Presentations in the 2024 inaugural event included:

  • Fiber Basics 201 – Nick Palumbo, North American Technical Sales Manager, Brueckner Group
  • Beyond the Basics: Cutting-Edge Stock Preparation for Molded Fiber – Tina Lawton, Director, Sales & Technology, Stock Prep & Recycle, North America,  Valmet
  • Simplified Stock Prep for Molded Fiber – Matthew Job, President, Motus
  • Increasing Wet End Turbulence in Molded Fiber Production – Karl Palmer, Fiber Process Engineer, Brueckner Group and Jim Fogg, NA Business Development Manager Barriers and Coatings, Solenis
  • Quantifying Fiber Formation – Matt Griswold, Vice President of Innovation, Genera
  • Additively Manufactured Tooling for Prototyping – Jonathan Roy, Research Engineer, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine
  • Dispersion Barrier Coating for 3D Molded Fiber – Overview of Surface Application TechnologyChuantao Zhu, Molded Fiber Application Expert, Barriers & Coatings, Solenis
  • Barrier Coating Testing and Validation – Matthew Job, President, Motus US
  • Foodservice Packaging Policy Landscape – Carol Patterson, Vice President of Government Relations, Foodservice Packaging Institute
  • Compostability in Packaging – Testing, Certifications and Regulations – Emily Parsons, Product Launch Engineer in Barriers & Molded Fiber, Solenis
  • Thermoformed Molded Fiber Capabilities and Research at the PDC – Colleen Walker, Director – Process Development Center, UMaine
  • Considering USDA Checkoff Programs for A Stronger Market Position for Molded Pulp – Teal Edelen, Director – Forests, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities