We are honored to have Dr. Vishal Bansal as our distinguished speaker in the session of Innovative Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Filtration at the upcoming World Filtration Institute 2024 Annual Conference (WFI 2024), December 3–4, 2024, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST.
As CTO and Vice President, R&D & Sustainability at Glatfelter (NYSE: GLT), Dr. Vishal Bansal leads the global R&D, product development, and product safety organizations located over three global innovation centers. Prior to Glatfelter, Vishal held various executive technology leadership roles with Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH), General Electric (NYSE: GE), and DuPont (NYSE: DD). He earned Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Oklahoma (OU), B.S. in Chemical Engineering from IIT, Bombay, and an executive MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Vishal is passionate about sustainable polymeric materials and their applications in single use as well as durable goods. Over the course of his career, he has been an inventor of over 50 granted patents, most of which led to successful commercial products.
Date: December 3, 2024
Time: 11:20am - 11:35am EST
Presentation title
Sustainability Advances in Single-Use Beverage Filtration Materials and Applications
Abstract
Single-use beverages (teabags, Keurig coffee pods, Nespresso pods, and a host of other European coffee pods) have become an ubiquitous part of society. Key enabling technology in these are unique filter medias, designed for the most effective fluid to active ingredient contact and flavor extraction, while effecting fluid filtration. Wetlaid nonwovens as well as dry-formed synthetic media are effectively used in these applications.
The discussion would provide an overview of various media technologies used in these applications, and how manufacturers are preparing for making them more sustainable for end-use customer. Sustainability is becoming very relevant for these, as these end products contribute to several hundreds of thousands of MT of annual landfill waste every year. Moreover, concerns about microplastics in beverages are increasing. However, the landscape for what constitutes as sustainable is still evolving in single-use beverages.
European Parliament and the Council of the European Union has announced a provisional agreement on the proposed new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Single-use beverage are expected to fall under this. It is expected to go into effect during sometime in Q4, 2027. The standard expected is that single-use beverage dispensing shall be compatible with the standard for composting in industrially controlled conditions in bio-waste treatment facilities and shall be compatible, when required by the Member States, with home composting standards. The regularly environment in North America is uncertain, but is expected to follow the lead of European PPWR.
Most large global brands in single-use beverages (Keurig, Nespresso, Unilever, JDE, and others) have already announced plans to move to home compostable, substantially prior to the proposed date for the European regulation going into effect.
About WFI 2024:
The World Filtration Institute 2024 Annual Conference (WFI 2024) will be held online, December 3–4, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST. The theme of this conference is "Sustainable Filtration Solutions for a Cleaner and Healthier World." It will be an internationally leading expert conference addressing the latest advances in filtration and separation technologies and their critical roles in healthy living, surrounding environments, and a clean, sustainable world for current and future generations. The virtual conference will feature the following sessions:
1. Sustainable Filtration for A Healthier Indoor Environment
2. Filtration Advances for Emerging Technologies
3. Innovative Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Filtration
4. Circular Economy and Sustainable Water Solutions
5. Regulatory Trends and Standards Updates
6. Artificial Intelligence in Advanced Filtration Solutions
