With seven weeks until the Sustainable Packaging Summit returns to Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, the full agenda has been released, mapping three days of discussion across regulation, EPR, reuse, materials and emerging technology.
The Sustainable Packaging Summit will bring together leaders from across the international packaging value chain to examine shared responsibilities, challenges and opportunities in the transition towards more sustainable packaging.
The programme will explore the business case for change, scrutinise transformation roadmaps for plastics, paper and reuse, and consider developments on the innovation horizon.
Speakers include former Unilever CEO Paul Polman, sustainability and innovation leaders from global brands, and specialists in research and development, regulation, extended producer responsibility, recycling and artificial intelligence.
The full agenda is now available, with panels, breakout sessions and presentations spanning the three-day event.
Global perspectives
Keynote sessions will feature representatives from global brands and retailers including PepsiCo, Tesco, Nestlé, P&G, Mondelēz, Pladis and Bel Group.
The speakers will address topics including packaging legislation and EPR, barriers to scaling reuse systems, and the design of digital consumer experiences.
Systemiq will also use the Summit’s Main Stage to unveil a global platform covering end-of-life data for plastic packaging waste – an area attracting closer attention as EPR regulation expands across international markets.
Alongside Packaging Europe’s Sustainability Awards, FINAT will host its label industry awards ceremony on the following day and present insights into the trends influencing innovation across the sector.
Regulation
EUROPEN’s Hans van Bochove will lead a discussion featuring Emmanuelle Maire, head of unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, and representatives from industry.
The session will examine the status of European packaging regulation, including contested areas, practical feasibility and the next stages of implementation.
A separate expert panel will bring together PPWR consultant Anna Perlina, Matteo Squeo and other specialists to address questions surrounding the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
GreenBlue’s Olga Kachook and Anthesis Group’s Marwan Elsaifi will lead a retrospective examining the PPWR’s evolution, its implementation to date and the lessons emerging for industry.
Extended producer responsibility
Representatives from EXPRA, CEFLEX, Fost Plus and other organisations will compare the development of producer responsibility systems across Europe, sharing practical experiences, achievements and continuing challenges.
Pack UK’s Peter Collins and RecycleMe’s Jason Bergquist will examine the legal and logistical barriers affecting the progress of EPR in the UK and US, with a focus on what packaging producers should expect as the respective systems develop.
Technology
Digital tools for managing packaging compliance across multiple jurisdictions will also feature in the programme.
Recyda’s Vivian Loftin will discuss how businesses can navigate differing regional regulations, while GS1 Netherlands CEO Mirjam Karmiggelt will examine the role of data sharing under the PPWR and the systems companies may need to meet new requirements.
Further sessions will cover material-specific developments, emerging applications for artificial intelligence and wider questions influencing the packaging sustainability agenda.
Registration for the Sustainable Packaging Summit is available here.
