Like most of the conferences and trade shows in virtually all industries, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) has seen two annual conventions and two summer courses cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year’s Annual Technical Conference was held virtually, and while the sessions were uniformly informative, it isn’t the same as networking with colleagues.

The good news is that NAPIM’s 2021 Annual Technical Conference, scheduled for Oct. 12-14 at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook, IL, is set to go, with many members of the industry looking forward to finally getting together.

“We are very excited to have the NAPIM Technical Conference as our first live event in two years,” said John Copeland, NAPIM’s executive director. “Our theme is very appropriate for this time in all of our lives, ‘The Ink Industry: Adaptable, Flexible, Resilient!’  We appreciate all the support from our sponsors and attendees this year. We have a great program planned with on point topics for our industry.”

George Fuchs, director, regulatory affairs and technology at NAPIM, noted that the annual NPIRI Technical Conference offers numerous benefits for attendees.

“This is the only technical conference that specifically  focuses on the graphic arts industry supply chain in the technical necessity to truly understand the issues facing our industry,” Fuchs observed. “The networking and face-to-face communication enhances the value of the event.”

“This year’s conference will feature a broad range of topics covering the graphic arts market, technical and regulatory issues,” added Fuchs. “I’m particularly excited about the regulatory session, which will feature cutting-edge updates on OSHA regulations and the impact of the new Toxic Substances Control Act on ink industry innovation.”

This year’s conference opens on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 12 with a trio of 75 minute short courses as well as a Golf Outing. The courses are Printing Ink 101: Raw Materials Selection & Formulation; Printing Ink 101: Manufacturing – Milling/Grinding Operations, which will be led by Colorcon No-Tox’s Jerry Napiecek; and Printing Ink 101: Testing/Technical Support, which will be led by James Ford, technical director of Flint Group, and Russ Szadowski, director analytical R&D at INX International Ink Co.

After lunch, the Technical Conference moves into full gear with the Opening Keynote, “The U.S. Economy Challenge: Looking Back and Forward,” which will be presented by Dr. Michael Youngblood, professor of economics at Rock Valley College.

“This year’s conference kicks off with the keynote address being presented by economist Michael Youngblood, Ph. D., professor of Economics at Rock Valley College,” said Copeland.  “We are looking forward to his presentation, “The U.S. Economy Challenge, Looking Back and Forward.” 

Dr. Youngblood will be followed by the Lawter Lecture Winner, the top technical paper, which will be announced during the conference. Amy Geiger, North America commercial director for Covestro Coating Resins, will follow with her presentation on “Sustainability.” After a break, the Technical Conference will head into the Suppler Showcase, featuring short technological talks by leading suppliers, and a reception with tabletop exhibits.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, features two sessions. The morning session covers technology, and will start with a talk on “Digital Color Standards – Specification to Ink Formulation to Quality Control” by Mark Gundlach, solution architect with X-Rite Incorporated. Walter Chmura, VP of KBA, will follow with his insighnts into “Offset Presses – Technology Update.”

Micro Powders VP Rich Czarnecki will discuss “Novel Innovations in Wax Additive Technology,” and Ken Williams, senior operations manager for Sun Chemical, will close the session with “QA/QC Principles/Best Practices for Ink Manufacturing.”

After lunch, the conference goes into the world of regulatory matters, beginning with David Fisher, counsel with Keller and Heckman, who will focus on “Reconsidering Risk Evaluation of Existing Chemicals.” Fisher will be followed by  Jennifer Heathcote, business development manager at GEW, Inc., who will discuss “Developments in UV LED Technology.”

After the break, Valerie Butera of counsel Ogletree Deakins will cover “Playing It Safe: OSHA Compliance in a New World,” and David Wawer, executive director, Color Pigments Manufacturers Association (CPMA),” will close the Regulatory session with “USEPA Chemicals Risk Evaluations 2021 and Beyond.”  The Technical Conference will then go into the Annual Reception & Awards Dinner.

Thursday, Oct. 14 will cover New Technologies. Among the speakers are Greg Adams, industrial engineer, INX International Ink Co., who will discuss “Analog to Digital for Ink Manufacturers”; Matthew Dyson of IDTechEx, who will cover “Conductive Inks for Printed Electronics – Innovations and Market Status”; “Challenges and Opportunities for Printed Electronics,” by Jonathan Fury, Brewer Science; and David Savastano, editor of Ink World, who will give his “Printed Electronics Market Update.”

For more information or to register, go to www.napim.org.