Professor Frank Paine CChem FRSC

Frank Paine, former Director of the Packaging Division at PIRA International, author of several packaging textbooks, and former Editor in Chief of 'Packaging Technology & Science' passed away on 15 February 2016 aged 95. He had been a member of the RSC for over 70 years and Fellow since 1957.

After leaving school in 1938 Frank studied for an external University of London degree in Chemistry at Acton Technical College whilst working part time as a tester of dynamos at the Lancashire Dynamo and Crystal Company in Willesden, North London. This was followed by a job as Junior Chemist in the Quality Control Laboratory at Courage's Anchor Brewery, near Tower Bridge.

During the 2nd World War he worked at the Armaments Research Department Outstation in Swansea on various projects including clock stopping mechanisms to prevent delayed action bombs going off. He continued studying for his degree at Swansea Technical College and graduated with a 2nd class honours degree in Chemistry in 1942.

Frank's career in packaging started just after 1945 when he joined the Packaging Division of the Printing and Allied Trades Research Association, Leatherhead working on the 'Permeability of Organic Membranes to Gases and Vapours'. He worked there for 13 years first as Packaging Enquiry Officer and then as Head of Packaging Testing.

In 1958 Frank joined the Package Testing Department of Bowater R&D in Northfleet, Kent and was promoted in 1960 to work for then Director of R&D at Bowater HQ in Knightsbridge, London but in 1963 he moved to the printing company William Thyne Holdings in Edinburgh as Company Development Manager. After 5 years he returned to the Leatherhead research laboratories, renamed PIRA International, as Director of the Packaging Division until his early retirement in 1980 when he set up his own packaging consultancy.

During his career Frank served on a number of government committees as well as industry and professional bodies including the British Standards Institute and Campden and Leatherhead Food Research Associations. He was a Chartered Chemist and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and for many years a member of the Society of Chemical Industry, a Fellow of the Institute of Packaging and a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. 

He was instrumental in setting up the International Association of Packaging Research Institutes (IAPRI) in 1971 and was Secretary General for 21 years until 1992.  In 1972 he received the European Packaging Federation's award for Outstanding Scientific and Creative Endeavour in Packaging and was National Chairman of the Institute of Packaging in 1974/75. He was also involved in the creation of INCPEN, the Industry Committee for Packaging and the Environment and was Technical Adviser to the Packaging Council.

Over the years Frank travelled widely participating in missions for the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Commission, UNIDO and FAO and gave lectures and ran training programmes all over the world. He authored and edited several packaging textbooks and was Editor in Chief of the international journal 'Packaging Technology & Science' for 10 years. An accomplished speaker and teacher Frank inspired many students and colleagues with his knowledge and passion for his subject. He particularly valued his association with Michigan State University School of Packaging who made him an Adjunct Professor in 1984. He was made an Honorary Alumnus in 1996, the first Englishman to receive such an award.

During his long life he made many lasting friendships with colleagues at home and abroad. He never lost his passion for science, chemistry or packaging and undoubtedly left his mark on the world, both professionally and personally. He was married to his wife, Dorothy, for 70 years until her death in 2013 and is survived by his daughter, Heather. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. 

Heather Paine (daughter) 1 March 2016