Regulatory change, material transformation and emerging technology will shape the agenda for the Sustainable Packaging Summit 2026, taking place in Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 10–12 November.
Returning to the Jaarbeurs Event & Exhibition Centre, the three-day Summit will bring together brand owners, policymakers, packaging specialists and technology providers to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with packaging sustainability.
Each day will have a distinct thematic focus. The opening day will examine the strategic landscape and business mobilisation; day two will explore pathways for transforming packaging materials; and the final day will look towards developments on the innovation horizon.
The plenary program will open with a fireside chat featuring former Unilever CEO Paul Polman. Polman will also join Michelle Gibbons of the European Brands Association (AIM) for a discussion on strategic leadership.
Major brand owners taking part in the Summit will include PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Bel Group.
Regulation will be a prominent theme, with representatives from the European Commission joining EUROPEN managing director Francesca Stevens for an open discussion on the next steps for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The main stage will also host a dedicated discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in managing post-consumer waste, alongside a series of sessions examining the current packaging landscape.
More focused topics will be covered through workshops and briefings in the Summit’s breakout program. These will include a two-year reflection on the progress of the PPWR with Tom Pollock of GreenBlue, a discussion of the HolyGrail intelligent sorting initiative, and a closer look at packaging innovation and regulation in South America with the Brazilian Packaging Association (ABRE).
Further speakers are expected to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
Sustainability Awards
The winners of the 2026 Sustainability Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 11 November. A winner will be selected from each of the revised award categories making their debut at this year’s Summit.
The ceremony will be followed by a celebration featuring food, drinks and live music.
On the following day, Sustainability Awards finalists will participate in a dedicated Q&A session, sharing the development stories behind their products and responding to audience questions.
This year’s finalists come from Europe, North America, Asia and South America, providing a broad view of packaging innovation underway across international markets.
Networking opportunities
The Summit program will also include scheduled networking activities, including lunches, themed huddles and a VIP networking session with Polman and other business leaders.
Attendees will have further opportunities to connect with packaging suppliers and innovators on the exhibition floor. A daily series of emerging technology presentations will provide concise insights into new developments and the future direction of the industry.
The exhibition currently has 49 confirmed participants, with opportunities still available for exhibitors, sponsors, start-ups and research projects.
PKN Packaging News is a media partner of the Sustainable Packaging Summit 2026. Event and ticket information is available through the Sustainable Packaging Summit website.
