Workshops at TAPPI’s Nano Conference Spotlight Safety, Packaging, and Material Characterization

Kicking off the 2025 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials, a trio of dynamic workshops will put attendees face-to-face with leading experts in safety, sustainability and material science. Held Tuesday, 8 July, these in-depth sessions provide a hands-on opportunity to explore critical topics shaping the future of cellulose nanomaterials.

The morning begins with the Bio/Nano Material Safety and Global Regulatory Update Workshop (8:00–10:00 a.m.), led by experts from Vireo Advisors. The session will address emerging global policies and regulatory expectations around nanomaterials, offering participants actionable strategies for demonstrating product safety and navigating complex international standards.

Instructors include Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin, founder and president of Vireo Advisors, and a leading voice in nanotechnology policy and risk analysis, and Dr. James Ede, a toxicologist specializing in life cycle risk assessment for emerging materials. Together, they will guide attendees through regulatory trends, customer expectations, and risk assessment frameworks essential to responsible material development.

Following this, the Opportunities for Cellulose Nanomaterials in Packaging Workshop (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) will explore recent innovations in biobased packaging. The session will cover barrier properties, sustainability considerations and life cycle assessment as applied to nanocellulose-enhanced packaging materials.

The workshop features instruction from Dr. Marc Delgado-Aguilar (University of Girona), Dr. Joice Kaschuk (Wageningen University and Research) and Dr. Julien Bras (University of Grenoble Alpes)—all leaders in bio-based material research. Participants will gain insight into practical applications, design strategies and the transition from laboratory research to commercial packaging solutions.

In the afternoon, the CNM Characterization Workshop – Primary Characterization (1:30–4:00 p.m.) will offer hands-on guidance for evaluating the properties of cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The 2.5-hour session will focus on methods assessing surface charge, crystallinity, mechanical strength and other key parameters.

Dr. Johan Foster, NSERC Canfor Industrial Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, will lead the session. A specialist in CNM composites and smart materials, Foster will provide real-world examples to help attendees choose the most appropriate testing techniques and interpret results effectively.

TAPPI’s Nano Conference workshops provide an interactive learning environment and early access to key scientific insights. Workshop registration is separate from the main conference and space is limited.

More information is available at https://events.tappi.org/event/nano/workshops.