Say it and spray it
BAMA's chief executive, Patrick Heskins, addresses the Innovation Day audience, with Maddy Gardner, Loop Europe; Michael Friel, Aer Beatha; and Matt Dass, Springfield Solutions, on the first session panel. Image: Alex Rivers' own
This week’s blog comes a little delayed, as I have been busy in the world of aerosols at BAMA’s Innovation Day.
The British Aerosol Manufacturers Association held its fourth Innovation Day on 20 April at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. The event featured a varied programme of speakers alongside tabletop exhibitions which we attendees were able to explore during our ample tea & coffee breaks, and during lunch.
Among the companies exhibiting their aerosol-related solutions were Lindal Group (sponsor of the event); Ball; D.H. Industries; Emerson; FEA; JagoPro; R.A Jones and Springfield Solutions.
Speakers took us through presentations on the developments needed for a circular economy; nozzle technologies; digital embellishment and design; and AI, to name but a few. I also have to make special mention of Dr Amber Yeoman from the University of York, who was unafraid of relaying to a room full of aerosol industry experts the potentially harmful effects of their products to indoor air quality. Amber’s research on indoor VOCs from aerosolised products sparked much discussion in the Q&A session offered afterward.
Despite the sector’s challenges however, BAMA’s chief executive Patrick Heskins showed much enthusiasm for the future of the industry and its capabilities for innovation. He told me that he hoped the day would show everyone that there are far-reaching opportunities within the aerosol sector, particularly where R&D is concerned. He said he invited Loop, (the global re-use platform), for this reason, and hopes that the aerosol and wider metal packaging industries “take note,” especially because aerosol products’ biggest challenge currently lies in their single use.
BAMA also released its UK filling figures for 2021 which show 742 million of aluminium containers filled versus 698 million of tinplate, with antiperspirants remaining on top in terms of products. Total production in 2021 dropped by 4.5%, however Patrick Heskins commented that despite the decrease, the figures convey the resilience of the industry in the most trying of global circumstances – something he hopes continues into this year.
You can read an expanded review of the event in our June 2022 issue of the magazine.
- Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International & digital editor
Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @CanTechIntl or LinkedIn: CanTech International magazine.
