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The International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) has partnered with APPMA to add a global flavour to sessions in the Seminar Theatre, with experienced journalists from Europe and Australia bringing their expert insights and participating in Q&A sessions with local brand owners and industry leaders.

“IPPO and APPMA first began collaborating at Interpack this year, and we are pleased to extend the partnership, with the journalists at IPPO spreading the word about APPEX on the global stage and building its standing as a leading show in the region,” said APPMA CEO Michael Moran.

IPPO president Lindy Hughson, who will convene the sessions, said she is delighted that the partnership between IPPO and APPMA has opened up this opportunity for insight sharing by experts and driving important conversations on trending topics with industry leaders.

The IPPO forum, entitled Packaging Perspectives: Global Trends Driving Change kicks off at 2pm on 12 March with a deep-dive into the European viewpoint on packaging sustainability. Tim Sykes of Packaging Europe, organiser of the Sustainable Packaging Summit and global Sustainability Awards, will share insights on emerging sustainability trends, the strategic challenges facing packaging in Europe, and opportunities in the international packaging innovation landscape.

The future of smart packaging will be explored by Andrew Manly of AIPIA, veteran journalist and accomplished speaker on Active & Intelligent Packaging. Manly will review new technology finding lift off and highlight innovation and key themes from the recent Smart Packaging Congress in Amsterdam.

PANEL SESSIONS FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

How brands are stepping up on sustainable packaging will be the focus of a panel session run by Kim Berry, editor of Food & Drink Business, speaking to representatives from SPC, Arnott's and Mondelez about innovations new to market and plans.

Wayne Robinson, editor of Print21 and associate editor of PKN, will moderate a panel discussion with industry leaders from Ball & Doggett, Detpak, Jet Technologies and Opal, on how material suppliers and converters are enabling brands to implement sustainable choices to meet the 2025 targets and pending government mandates.

To close the forum, Lindy Hughson (managing editor & publisher of PKN Packaging News) will run a Q&A with APCO CEO Chris Foley to provide and update on the latest state of play for packaging legislation in Australia, recycling infrastructure growth, and mapping a path to a circular economy.

MARK YOUR DIARY

More details on the IPPO Forum Packaging Perspectives: Global Trend Driving Change can be found here. The forum runs from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday 12 March in the Seminar Theatre.

 

Food & Drink Business

Australia’s food ministers have voted to begin the process of making the Health Star Rating (HSR) system mandatory on eligible packaged foods, after new monitoring showed the voluntary scheme fell well short of its agreed uptake target and has struggled to build consistent consumer confidence.

South-east Melbourne’s largest speculative cold storage facility has been launched to the leasing market, with Hale Capital Partners’ 27,291sqm “Adapt” project at Oakleigh South targeting completion in December 2026.

Asahi Beverages and Toll Group have launched what they describe as Australia’s largest single-location electric “route-to-market” heavy vehicle fleet, rolling out five battery-electric rigid trucks to service metropolitan beverage deliveries across Perth.