Redacción Alabrent
The most prestigious prize was for Best Innovation, and this year the Gold Award went to Kyoto Group for their proven method in the electrification of process-heat from renewable sources like wind and solar energy via a thermal energy storage solution. Speaker Lars Martinussen explained how the technology could help the corrugated industry become less dependent on the volatility in their energy costs and supply.The Silver Award was attributed to JB Machinery, and their Auto Dryer Control (ADC), a system to cut energy consumption on infrared (IR) dryers by automatically taking control on the dryer settings. As speaker Dave Burgess explained, this uses a closed loop algorithm to find an optimal drying level, reducing electricity costs on flexo printing units.
The Bronze Award was won by Graco Distribution BV, for their work on the replacement of hydraulic pumps with electric double diaphragm pumps. Speaker Gaetan David said this could drastically reduce the corrugated industry’s energy costs and CO2 emissions.
The Sustainability Award went to Kyoto Group – their second prize – which again recognised their technology that could help the corrugated industry to cut its carbon emissions and mitigate its impact on the environment.
The Best Presentation Award, out of some 65 spotlights delivered during the Lyon seminar, was given to Bart Verbruggen from OMP NV, who was recognised for his excellent speech on “planning for sustainability”, or green planning which is offering a practical solution to the sustainability challenges in the corrugated supply chains.
The Most Inspiring New Member Award went to the Netherlands-based C-TECH, whose Patrick Borgions outlined innovations in automation for multipoint folder gluers, including pre-feeding, bundling and palletising of all types of boxes.
There were also two Lifetime Achievement Awards: for Yves Bletterie from Bobst, who recognised it was a privilege to work in the corrugated industry for so long; and for Mauro Adami from Fosber, who felt immensely proud of the recognition.
FEFCO Operations and Innovation Committee Chairman Marc Van Damme said the awards showed how the corrugated cardboard industry is putting sustainability at the heart of its activities. “The innovations and ideas that we have seen over the past three days are proof that corrugated is becoming smarter, greener and more creative than ever,” he added.