The 4.0 industrial revolution, as applied to the plastics industry, will be the main topic of discussion at the annual convention of Mexico's national plastics association, Anipac, in late September.
Eunice Heath, Dow Chemical Co.'s global director for sustainable products marketing and strategy, will address the issue as the keynote speaker on the opening day, Sept. 30.
The theme will be continued on the second day, with presentations by Salvador Ortega, who is in charge of Latin American market development for Ingeo biopolymer manufacturer NatureWorks LLC, of Minnetonka, Minn., and by prominent Mexican consultant Ricardo Ricárdez, among others.
Ricárdez is the founder of Mexico City-based Prode SA de CV, which helps companies manage the process of cultural change. He assisted the Mexican government in plastics-related talks with the United States and Canada prior to the implementation of NAFTA in January 1994.
Eduardo de la Tijera, a member of the conference's organizing committee, described Eunice Heath's acceptance of Anipac's invitation to speak at the event as “something of a coup.”
Industry 4.0 refers to the automation and data exchange trend in manufacturing. Anipac stands for the Asociación Nacional de Industrias del Plástico AC.
The two-day convention will be held in Mérida, Yucatán.