Three standout sessions at the Sustainable Packaging Summit 2026 promise to move beyond the theory of sustainability and into the realities of implementation.
Building on discussions from the 2025 Summit, the November event (taking place from 10-12 November in Utrecht) will bring together experts from across the packaging value chain to examine what works in practice and where the sector is heading next.
As the full agenda takes shape, here are three notable sessions to look forward to:
On 11 November, a panel exploring paperisation (8:30am-10am) will examine the industry's shift towards fibre-based materials.
Rather than asking whether paper can replace plastic, the discussion will consider the evidence behind the transition, its environmental and commercial impacts, and how businesses can balance sustainability goals with profitability.
Speakers include Camille Lecointe, global packaging innovation director at Bel Group; Winfried Mühling, director of Pro Carton; and other industry specialists.
Later that day (12pm-1pm), attention turns to reuse systems and behavioural change.
As reuse pilots mature, the focus is shifting from trialling concepts to understanding what it takes to scale them commercially. The session will explore lessons learned from real-world projects, consumer adoption, and the partnerships needed to make reuse a viable long-term solution.
Willemijn Peeters, CEO of Searious Business; Fernando Rodriguez-Mata, director general of the New European Reuse Alliance; and fellow panellists will share insights drawn from projects already underway.
Closing the Summit on 12 November (3pm-4pm) is a session examining what's on the innovation horizon for packaging.
Against a backdrop of tightening regulation, rising consumer expectations and sustainability commitments, speakers will discuss where investment is flowing, which technologies show the greatest promise, and the innovations likely to shape the sector over the coming years.
The panel includes Zhanar Baishakova, venture partner and co-founder of Investor Ready Lab; Paul Jenkins, managing director of The Pack Hub; Uwe Melichar, partner at Touch; and other industry leaders.
These are just three highlight sessions of a packed three-day summit, designed for packaging professionals seeking practical insight into the industry's next phase, moving beyond high-level sustainability discussions to explore the commercial realities and strategic decisions that will define the future of packaging.
Keen to attend? Find out more and register here.
