The ink industry continues to see many changes, whether it is new advances in conventional printing, new technologies or new regulations. To help ink manufacturers and their suppliers keep up to date with the latest developments, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Annual Technical Conference brings together industry leaders to offer their insights.

This year’s conference will be held at the Oak Brook Hill Resort and Conference Center in Oak Brook, IL from Oct. 18-20, 2022, and there is plenty of information planned for attendees.

“NAPIM is very excited about 2022 Fall Technical Conference – our 46th Technical Conference,” said George Fuchs, director, regulatory affairs and technology at NAPIM. “The 2022 Technical Conference Program Planning Committee has done an amazing job putting together another outstanding program covering market, regulatory, technical and new technology issues – all squarely aimed at the printing ink and printing industries.”

James Ford, technical director of Flint Group, will moderate the opening session, which begins with “Opening Keynote: Economic Overview with a Focus on the Ink and Printing Industries,” presented by Dr. Michael Youngblood, professor of economics at Rock Valley College. John Jilek Jr. of inksolutions will cover “The State of the Printing Ink Industry,” followed by “EC Market Overview,” presented by Susan Bailey of Michelman.

After a break, the Technical Conference will head into the Supplier Showcase, moderated by Russ Szadowski, director analytical R&D at INX International Ink Co. and featuring short technological talks by leading suppliers, and a reception with tabletop exhibits.

Wednesday, Oct. 19, features two sessions. The morning session, moderated by Scot Pederson of Siegwerk, covers technology, and will start with a talk on “How Cloud Software and Measurement Technologies are Improving Process Efficiency in the Ink Industry” by Buzz Apostol/J. Michael Gardner of X-Rite.

Dr. George Gilsan, Distinguished Professor & Coordinator, Reese Graphic Communications Management Program, Appalachian State University, will follow with “How to Strengthen Your Company’s Internship Program.”

Andy Karp/Peter Lish of McAndrews will cover “Patents and Trade Secrets in the Printing Ink Industry,” and Matt Crans of Sartomer will close the session with “New Energy Curable Digital Ink Raw Materials.”

After lunch, the conference goes into the world of regulatory matters, with Ford returning as moderator. James Votaw of Keller & Heckman will open the session with “The New Toxic Substance Control Act and the Printing Ink Industry,” followed by Jay West of ACC, who will offer his insights into “PerfluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS): What’s Happening and What You Can Do About It.”

David Wawer, executive director, Color Pigments Manufacturers Association (CPMA), will discuss “EPA’s Risk Management Program for Pigment Violet 29,” and SOCMA’s Robert Helminiak will then focus on “The Federal Regulatory and Legislative Landscape and the Potential Impacts on November Elections.”

The Lawter Lecture Series Presentation, voted the top technical paper, will close the session, and the Technical Conference will then go into the Annual Reception & Awards Dinner.

“Wednesday October 19th, 2022 will cover printing ink and printing technical and regulatory issues,” said Fuchs. “This session will feature cutting-edge presentations on using cloud-based technology methods for ink formulation, development of UV/EB materials for digital inks, protecting your company’s intellectual property and more.

“As usual, the Regulatory Track is packed with up-to-date information on how our industry is affected by the new Toxic Substance Control Act, advancement of regulations covering PerfluoroAlkyl (PFAS) substances, EPA’s new risk management program for materials used in ink and other, upcoming, impactful federal regulations and legislation,” he added.

Thursday, Oct. 20 will cover New Technologies, and will be moderated by Fuchs.

“Our Thursday October 20th, 2022 session will cover an update and overview of the digital ink market and techniques and methods for optimizing ink manufacturing equipment,” Fuchs said. “This session will also provide two presentations on sustainable practices and technology in paper substrate recycling and printing. Interest in sustainability continues to be an important driver for the ink and printing industries.”

The session will open with Greg Johnson/Kelly Kubisak of Sustana Group, who will discuss “Sustana’s Sustainability Story.” John Heaney, Advertiser Printing, will focus on “The Sustainable Future of Print.”

Next up will be “Voice of the Industry,” a new feature which will invite audience participation.

“This session will introduce a new, audience participation opportunity,” Fuchs said. “This session is designed to gather audience input and opinions from an online poll on the future of our industry. This will be an outstanding opportunity to voice your opinion and learn how other industry experts see our future.”

After Voice of the Industry, Stewart Rissley of Schold will discuss “Optimizing Ink Manufacturing Equipment.” David Savastano, editor of Ink World, will close the conference with “Digital Ink Market Overview.”

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