12th - 13th March 2025

Agenda

Redefining the entire packaging lifecycle for a circular, sustainable future

DAY 1

08:00 - 08:50

REGISTRATION

08:55 – 09:00

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS

09:00 - 09:30

The future of sustainable packaging: Solutions for right now & the future

  • How investments in technology and re-thinking packaging design can enable plastic reduction
  • Through R&D, science and partnerships, we’re exploring the next generation of plastics and materials
  • Packaging as enabler to carbon reduction

09:30 - 10:00

Building up the Packaging Development team

  • Evolution of Packaging Team organization
  • From single market to multi-market innovations
  • From engineering to design
  • From cost focus to consumer driven

10:00 - 10:30

DRIVING TRANSFORMATION TO REACH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

  • Best practices for sustainability and how you can adapt your packaging strategy to achieve net-zero
  • How mindset and employee engagement can help make sustainability impact
  • Creating positive impact within your organization

10:35 - 11:25

COFFEE BREAK

11:30 - 12:00

LABEL MATERIALS TO SUPPORT MORE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

  • Packaging that does not fulfil its essential function is never sustainable
  • Switch to more sustainable label alternatives and support circularity
  • Learn from successful brands that seamlessly integrate sustainability into their packaging identity
  • Enhance sustainability claims through credible data around your packaging choice

12:00 - 12:30

Turning the Page on Packaging: Navigating the Shift to Paper

  • Transition Drivers: Examining the regulatory mandates and consumer demands driving the shift towards sustainable paper packaging
  • Key Challenges: Addressing fitness-for-use, compatibility with current equipment, cost management, and regulatory compliance as major roadblocks in paper packaging transition
  • Collaborative Approach: Highlighting the importance of partnerships in the supply chain to enhance cost transparency and leverage collective expertise for successful transition outcomes

12:30 - 13:00

High barrier packaging solutions designed for recyclability

  • BOBST, together with leading industry partners, has pioneered a range of innovative, environmentally improved packaging solutions
  • oneBARRIER is a family of industrially viable recycle-ready mono-material ultra-high and high barrier duplex and triplex substrates

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Innovative Glass Packaging Solutions
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials
  • Shelf-Life Extension
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Leak Detection Solutions
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Antimicrobial Packaging
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Packaging Recyclability
  • Active Packaging
  • Bio-based PET
  • Lifecycle Management
  • Linear Efficiency & Accumulation
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • Connected Packaging
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Packaging Sustainability
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Research & Development
  • Design and Visualisation Software
  • Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

13:05 - 13:55

LUNCH

14:00 - 14:30

The need for sustainable packages will reshape the food industry

  • High energy prices, de-industrialisation, growing inequality, populism, wars, resource insecurity are setting the stage
  • Food industries have to veer between legal ideology and market realism
  • Seemingly simple solutions are pitfalls and thwart the adoption of truly sustainable packages
  • Nonetheless, several packaging and recycling innovations will reach the market prior to 2030
  • Design-for-recycling guidelines will be redefined on the molecular level

14:30 – 15:00

Food Packaging of the Future: European level

  • Accelerating sustainable food packaging innovations & harmonization through new European S3-partnership and its projects
  • Impact of upcoming legislation on packaging compositions or systems with focus on challenges & projects in reusable food packaging
  • Food packaging innovation: collaboration & education is key!

15:00 – 15:30

Challenges and Priorities for Metal Packaging

  • PPWR: impact on metal packaging
  • Presentation of the Permanent Material Concept
  • Recycling performance of metal packaging
  • 100% recycling rate target for aluminium beverage packaging for 2040

15:35 - 16:25

COFFEE BREAK

16:30 - 17:00

Innovative labelling solutions

  • This is Interket – A Short introduction of the Interket Group
  • Sustainability & Traceability
    Interket are fortunate to have access to its own inhouse coating facility to evolve and develop new label structures that will contribute to the sustainability commitments of your requirements.
    Case Study: Track and Trace for the Recycle Process of packaging to fulfil the EPR legislation.
  • Security & Innovation
    Interket prides itself, for pushing the boundaries of market technologies, with award winning print and moving forward in the connected world.
    Case Study: Automotive
    Highly Bespoke Anti-Counterfeit security solutions with multi-level elements of security and digitised layers that connect with your ’Smart Device’ for authentification.

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Innovative Glass Packaging Solutions
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials
  • Shelf-Life Extension
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Leak Detection Solutions
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Antimicrobial Packaging
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Packaging Recyclability
  • Active Packaging
  • Bio-based PET
  • Lifecycle Management
  • Linear Efficiency & Accumulation
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • Connected Packaging
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Packaging Sustainability
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Research & Development
  • Design and Visualisation Software
  • Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

17:00 - 18:15

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

  • TOPIC 1: Packaging Sustainability and Circular Economy
    European Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive > how does it impact at FMCG companies on Packaging Strategy? Is EPR taxation included in the packaging strategy? Is SDG, legislation and data our driver OR public opinion and NGO ? Both impact the packaging strategy on transition to sustainability. Re-usable/Recyclable packaging & packaging systems – current challenges, possible solutions and Implementing effective waste reduction practices throughout the supply chain
  • TOPIC 2: Packaging Design, Innovation, Sustainable Materials
    Is sustainable innovation ONLY possible of we collaborate between companies, suppliers, retailers? And even collaborate between companies? Sustainable Packaging Materials – Exploring alternative materials and their impact on sustainability
  • TOPIC 3: Sustainable packaging metrics: defining and measuring success in a complex landscape
    What are the metrics that measure the success of sustainability strategies?
  • TOPIC 4: Packaging in e-commerce: striking the balance between protection, efficiency, and sustainability
    Lightweight and minimalist design, recyclable and biodegradable materials, innovative packaging solutions, eco-friendly packaging initiatives

18:15 - 19:15

DRINKS RECEPTION

DAY 2

08:55 – 09:00

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS

09:00 – 09:30

Our journey to sustainable packaging

The session will highlight how Philips:

  • Commits to it 2025 sustainable targets
  • Execute their journey to become plastic free
  • Exploits new way to use exciting material
  • Launches this new sustainable packaging in the market, cases studies

09:30 – 10:00

Sustainable Packaging as a Competitive Differentiation

  • METRO is committed to sustainability in packaging, with initiatives focused on reducing the use of problematic substances, increasing recycled content, and minimizing plastic packaging.
  • METRO’s sustainable packaging efforts align with the principles of the circular economy.
  • Through collaboration with suppliers and engagement with customers, METRO aims to drive sustainability across its operations and contribute to positive change in the packaging industry.

10:00 - 10:30

Box News - Corrugated Headlines

  • A concise and informative session where we’ll explore the latest updates on key industry facts and essential legislation that impact packaging portfolio decisions

10:35 - 11:25

COFFEE BREAK

11:30 – 12:00

Materialsmart – A sustainable way of thinking

  • Sustainability
  • Choosing the right material for the right purpose
  • Foil for thermoforming
  • LCA

12:00 – 12:30

Sustainability assessment of coffee capsules

  • Coffee capsules offer convenience to consumers and are a fast-growing market segment
  • Capsules are discarded with the spent coffee grounds, which hampers waste management
  • Most capsule materials have similar carbon foot prints but differ in the level of circularity
  • Recycling both the capsule materials and the coffee is most favourable
  • Lack of a shared vision by the stakeholders is hampering progress

12:30 – 13:00

Orchestrating your transition to reuse

  • Why reuse should be the focus in a circular packaging transition
  • From a single reuse solution to a reuse ecosystem
  • Case study on instore refill and return model
  • The need for cross industry collaboration

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Innovative Glass Packaging Solutions
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials
  • Shelf-Life Extension
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Leak Detection Solutions
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Antimicrobial Packaging
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Packaging Recyclability
  • Active Packaging
  • Bio-based PET
  • Lifecycle Management
  • Linear Efficiency & Accumulation
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • Connected Packaging
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Packaging Sustainability
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Research & Development
  • Design and Visualisation Software
  • Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

13:05 - 13:55

LUNCH

14:00 - 14:45

PANEL DISCUSSION: The future of sustainable packaging: Strategies and Solutions for right now & the future

  • Addressing the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations and their impact on packaging design and practices
  • Exploring innovative eco-friendly materials that balance performance, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility in packaging
  • Discussing the transition from linear to circular packaging models, considering reuse, recycling, and extended producer responsibility
  • Analysing how sustainable packaging aligns with consumer values and contributes to brand loyalty and recognition
  • Examining the role of transportation and circular practices in enhancing flexible packaging’s ecological footprint

14:50 - 15:00

CHAIRPERSON’S CLOSE

Natasha Valeeva

Natasha is a Utrecht-based analyst working for the F&A Supply Chain team.

Prior to joining Rabobank, Natasha worked as a Markets and Supply Chains researcher at LEI Wageningen University. In this position, she conducted research on a wide range of F&A sectors, such as poultry and dairy, as well as on a number of overarching food supply chain themes, like food safety.

Natasha started her career in 1999 as Quality Assurance Manager at a baby food production plant (part of Royal Numico) in Moscow. From there, she moved to the Netherlands to work on her Ph.D. at Wageningen University, focusing on the economics of food safety and traceability in the Dutch dairy chain. During this period, she was also a visiting researcher in the US and Australia. In addition to her Ph.D., Natasha holds a MSc in Agricultural Economics from the Russian State Agricultural University (Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy).

Philippe Diercxsens

Environmental chemist specialised in packaging and packaging waste management issues.
Chairman of EUROPEN Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs work group.
Chairman of FoodDrinkEurope Environment & Sustainability Committee (The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union).
Chairman of NMWE Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs work group (Natural Mineral Waters Europe).
Skills: lobbying on sustainable development and environment issues in the context of national and European professional associations.

Christian Schulz

Christian Schulz, B.Eng., born 1983 in Hanover, studied ‘Technology of Renewable Resources’ at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover and worked from 2011 - 2019 as a research associate at the IfBB - Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites in various third-party funded projects, among others for the development of a database for products made of bioplastics for public procurement as well as in the sustainability team for market analysis, calculation of land use and on life cycle assessment of biobased plastics. He also supported the institute's public relations work, e.g. in the context of the webinar series "Biomaterials in Focus" and as part of a group of young researchers who dealt with the special challenges of biomaterials on a technical-industrial level as well as in the field of marketing and communication.
Since January 2020 he has been in charge of the EU project activities of European Bioplastics.

Shubhranshu Sharma

A Global Business Leader and an accomplished Procurement and Supply Chain Professional - having lived and worked in diverse Geographies including Developed Market of North America, Singapore and Emerging Markets of China, Thailand and India. An ambitious Sourcing strategist who combines Negotiation Skills and Financial Acumen to consistently raise the bar for both internal and external Stakeholders. Natural ability to thrive in complex environment and creative in tackling conflicts. Having a penchant to challenge self and peers to aim and achieve higher goals with continuous Drive and Passion
Specialities - China, US, India, Strategic Sourcing, Cultures, Negotiation, Consumer Goods

Peter Ragaert

Peter Ragaert obtained in 2001 the degree of bioscience engineer chemistry at Ghent University, Belgium. After his PhD in 2005 on shelf-life and packaging of fruits and vegetables, Peter stayed in the packaging field as project manager in the organization Pack4Food. Currently, Peter is leading, together with An Vermeulen, this organization which is a collaboration platform between the food and packaging industry, research institutes and other stakeholders in food packaging. Through collective research projects, trainings and network activities, Pack4Food aims to stimulate innovation in food packaging with a strong focus on packaging materials in a circular economy. Furthermore, Peter is professor on food packaging technology at Ghent University focusing on barrier materials and biobased & compostable plastics. One of the key elements in his research is relating different compositions and functionalisation of packaging materials with resulting shelf-life of food products.

Hedwige Verherbrugghen

Pack4Food is a consortium of 72 companies, the most important Flemish universities, research centers and network organizations active in the food-packaging interaction field. Pack4Food aims to stimulate innovation in food-packaging & process cross value chain; from packaging suppliers, food manufacturers, retailers etc, Pack4Food supports companies in their everyday packaging challenges by setting up projects, providing advice and (customized) training. Due to its vast network, Pack4Food can facilitate match making between companies.
I am a Packaging and Product Development Engineer with a passion for innovation and meeting consumer/customer needs through development and creativity. I strongly believe in connecting with consumers/customers as well as with suppliers to identify new opportunities or unmet needs.

Karen van de Stadt

I am currently employed as Packaging expert at the Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV), an independent organization researching the implementation of EU waste recycling standards in the dutch industry practice. I maintain a close working relationship with all mayor Dutch industry organizations, and as Program Manager for sustainable packaging I am a key player in the research programs that are being initialized by the KIDV.
I have experience in packaging design and packaging engineering, built up in 12 years of working experience. I have specialized in prevention of packaging waste and design for recycling, and from this proficiency I have advised dutch industries on design for recycling since 2009.
I studied Industrial Design with a specialization in Packaging Design at the Haagse Hogeschool (College for Technical Studies) and have a degree in Packaging Management (NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre, 2004). I started in 2000 as a packaging designer for serveral brands, in the Netherlands and India. From 2001 to 2009 I have developed and taught courses in packaging for several institutes, like the NVC and the College for Technical Studies in Rotterdam.
In my spare time I enjoy rowing, cooking and traveling. I am an active member of the Association for Dutch Packaging experts (VNV).

Annebeth De Witte

Copackx, your companion in packaging
Packaging team/project leader at Food companies
• End2End Development; Concept to Operations
• Regulatory Compliance & Specification Systems
• Packaging Sustainability
• Guest lecturer
It’s my belief that the transition to sustainable packaging is possible for each company. The challenge is to deliver the combination of sustainability with other requirements like; brand-fit, consumer experience, technical feasibility, costs and regulatory compliance.
My drive to ensure we do deliver on packaging projects!

Niels Prinsen

Experienced Packaging Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the beauty & health care industry. Skilled in Research and Development (R&D), Product & Packaging Design, Medical Devices, Engineering, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Strong arts and design professional graduated from Haagse Hogeschool/TH Rijswijk.

Caroline Zwart-Clarijs

Professional with broad experience in building teams, packaging and system development, project management, innovation, strategic design, technical development and implementation.
Specialties:
- people manager
- leading multifunctional teams
- innovation
- building and implementing strategies
- packaging sustainability

Niels van Marle

A committed and highly motivated industrial designer with a broad experience in product development and packaging innovation. Working for a knowledge institute, a design agency and A-brands producers, builds a strong basis and a good understanding of all aspects of new product development. Experienced in circular design, consultancy, project management, creativity facilitation, marketing and sales. Creating maximum involvement of all stakeholders with enthusiasm and interpersonal skills, grounded with a thorough knowledge of innovation processes and project management. Brings complex projects to a successful result.
Specialties: Innovation Management; Circular design; Waste management systems; Innovation roadmaps; Industrial design; User centered design; Packaging design and development for FMCG; Creativity facilitation; Presenting

John Kuijt

Delivering Trust and Competence towards Brands and Retailers across Europe. Enterprise Sales and SAAS, partner for solving complex brand innovation challenges, in order to deliver optimal efficiency, by using best practices processes with cutting edge technology.
Helping (private label) Brands (re)organizing the go-to-market process related to artwork, packaging and e-commerce.
Key words:
Trusted solutions
Reduce time to market
Brand management process
Packaging Management Process
Predictable Color Management
New Business Development
Danaher business systems

Joao Bayma

Currently Global Procurement Director for Paper & Flexibles packaging at Reckitt Benckiser (RB), I’ve 14+ years’ experience in FMCG companies and Food/OTC/Health/Infant Nutrition markets. (Nestlé, Unilever and RB).
During my career I had the opportunity to work, understand and improve the E2E Supply Chain in different areas within the Procurement department, such as Food commodities negotiation on physical and future markets, Procurement Financial Controlling and Forecast, Indirect Purchase (from Capex to Corporate Services), Third Party Manufacturer negotiation, Chemicals, Packaging Procurement. In the past 8 years, 3 positions in 2 different locations, guiding multicultural team of buyers and managers to outperform.
Graduated in Economics, my native language is Portuguese, and I've fluency in English and Spanish. I consider myself open minded, creative, result oriented, inclusive, adaptable and resilient – always ready and embracing changes.
I've, also, experience in regional structure implementation, categories negotiation, processes redesign, KPI’s creation, Procurement transformation (M&A & Change management), Global Procurement/Supply Interface, make or buy studies, eSourcing & eTools, SAP, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Management, Power BI.
Recently (Apr/18) certified as Integral Associate Coach™.

Krzysztof Krajewski

Krzysztof Krajewski is currently Packaging Sustainability Director for Hygiene business unit at Reckitt based in Amsterdam. The aim for this role is focusing on two areas: Regional and Global scope. On the regional level, he is accelerating projects within base portfolio, towards sustainable transformation. Pipeline that fit local infrastructure for recycling that have a tangible impact on delivery towards Reckitt 2025/2030 sustainability pledges. On the Global side, he is running Sustainable Packaging Innovation by delivering outside-in, breakthrough sustainable innovation platforms and Polymer Science. The last one facing towards future of recycling methodologies, next generation renewable and testing bio- degradable, replacement materials. Krzysztof started his career 20 years ago in plastics processing industry (converter in blow-moulding, injection moulding) and one of the first recycling plants in Poland. Within FMCG sector, with Reckitt since 16 years Krzysztof has been on assignments within Singapore, Italy and now in the Netherlands.

Vera Bartsch

Vera Bartsch is the Sustainability Manager for UPM Raflatac’s EMEIA region. She leads the self-adhesive label company’s sustainability efforts in the market. Vera’s activities include providing expert sustainability consultancy for sales, stakeholder and partnership development, management of eco-design, life cycle assessment with UPM Raflatac’s Label Life tool, recycling of label waste through the company’s RafCycle program as well as sustainability marketing and communications.
Vera has a background in sales of label material with regards to sustainability in Central Europe, working with both label printers and brand owners. She coordinates the cooperation with other UPM business units for UPM Raflatac and has worked on several international projects for the development of UPM Raflatac.

Carel Oskam

I am a results-driven professional with 15+ years of experience in directing product and packaging development activities. I have a proven track record of building technical development teams during 10+ years, conducting 100+ interviews, and defining sourcing strategies for recruitment drives. Also consider me as an expert in research and development, especially in packaging, processing, and laboratory up-scaling. I am knowledgeable in selection of materials based on branding, marketing, and logistic requirements. Expertise in devising standard processes across packaging R&D, automated 2D and 3D design, and cost saving initiatives. Skilled in developing design concepts and presenting new packaging formats, materials, and technologies
Some Highlights of Expertise:
• Resource Management
• Team Building & Leadership
• Packaging Innovation Development
• R&D Processes & Procedures
• Packaging & Product Solutions
• Recruitment Drive Management
• Technical Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project & Portfolio Management
• Process Redesign & Improvement
• Training & Development Skills
• Cost Reduction & Profit Optimisation

Mônica Damo

High accomplished professional with an experience of 16 years of proven success developing packaging for multiple product categories, such as foods, personal care and pet food. Results-oriented and smart innovator with strong ability to identify technical opportunities for sustainability, innovation and productivity at local, regional and global level. Experience on sustainability, innovation process, flexible packaging manufacture, technical customer service, tools/bag maker assets adaptation and project management within high profile organizations as Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), PepsiCo, Henkel and Amcor (former Alcan). Consistently promoted into global packaging sustainability applications manager based on delivered results, and support on the development and deployment of the evolved packaging sustainability corporate commitments. High capacity to deliver technical solutions and to identify opportunities to increase team performance as well processes. Committed with business, marketing and customer needs by proactively addressing their needs.
Native in Portuguese and fluent in English and Spanish.

Stephen Tagg

Stephen Tagg is the Regional Software Solutions Manager, EMEA for Markem-Imaje with over 25 years of global experience in manufacturing software solutions across all major verticals.

Massimo Venegoni

Management of Innovation at Bocconi University and a second MSc in Economics of World Energy at the Russian State Institute for Foreign Relations , Massimo joined the global largest Brewer in 2015 with a passion of “making purposeful change happen”.
By focusing on efficiencies and transformation, he embarked on several roles to improve the Supply Chain in Operations, Material Logistics, Packaging Innovation and Soft Drinks. From the start, the relevance of identifiable and quantifiable Sustainability impacts left a mark on his endeavour, crowned by the implementation in 2019 of the first can shrink wrap, made of 100% recycled content. As Global R&D Sustainability Manager, since 2021 he is coordinating the effort of ABI´s Global Innovation and Technology Centre towards a quantifiable, objective, digital and understandable evaluation of our great Innovations´ Sustainability impact, in which Packaging surely plays a pivotal role.

Ulphard Thoden van Velzen

Ulphard Thoden van Velzen is a 55 year old Dutchman that studied chemistry in Utrecht and Enschede, worked for one year as a post-doc in Sydney and ever since at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research; a technological contract research organisation. Up to about 2008 the focus of the contract research was to extend the shelf life of perishable foods with advanced packaging solutions and hence avoid food loss. From 2008 on the focus shifted towards the understanding packaging waste and mechanical recycling. The main challenge is to relate the design-aspects of packages to the quality of recycled plastics. He has an extended network of clients from packaging industries, waste management companies, recycling facilities, EPR organisations, governments, material organisations and sectorial stakeholders.

Phil Brown

My PhD research explored the design and facilitation of collaborative circular oriented innovation networks. For insights into my research and practical outputs please visit www.circularstrategies.org

My challenge and the continuing question is if a circular economy requires inter-organisational, cross-sector, & networked collaborative innovation, how can this be facilitated?

I have joined Circularise to advance blockchain solutions to support companies to overcome the challenges of data sharing within complex supply chains to facilitate collaboration and implement circular strategies.

My aim is to support companies to turn their CE ideas into action. Please reach out to me if you have interesting ideas or projects that would benefit from a collaborative circular oriented innovation approach.

Activity keywords: Circular Oriented Innovation Strategies, Inter-organisational Collaboration, Collaborative Innovation, Block Chain Enabled Software, Tool Development, Circular Business Models, Sustainable Business Models, Design for Circular Economy

Guillem Parés

Guillem Parés (38), master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona, with final master thesis completed in Germany. Joined HP almost 12 years ago: first 5 years as product engineer in the Large Format Printing organization and next 7 as marketing product manager in Large Format Printing first and afterwards in the HP Sustainable Packaging team.

Very interested in sustainability and extremely motivated with the purpose of our organization, which is to accelerate the transition to sustainable packaging solutions. Let’s make it happen!

Erica Ording

In her current role, Erica focuses on building a long-term sustainable packaging strategy at FrieslandCampina. She acquired a PhD in Chemistry from Leiden University. After her PhD, she worked for a brief period at the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) before starting as a team lead in the Renewable Chemistries department of Avantium. Here she first focused on side-stream valorization, followed by leading the efforts on electrochemical CO2 conversion (CCU). Having a chemical background with a wealth of experience in scaling innovative processes provides a multidisciplinary perspective on current packaging sustainability challenges.

Tom Domen

Tom Domen graduated in 1996 with a master's degree in industrial design. With his master's degree on sustainable technology for Eastern Africa, he received the yearly Award for Innovative Technology from the Chamber of Engineers.
He started working for Philips in packaging innovation after which he worked for five years as a marketing and communication specialist at Panasonic. Tom worked for Ecover/method for 18 years, where he was responsible for the long-term innovation strategy and sustainability for the different categories (laundry, cleaning, dishwashing, home care and personal care). During his time at Ecover, he has been working on creating a complete packaging reuse ecosystem and driving several reuse pilots in market. Today, he works as independent consultant at Made (www.made.be) to help companies make the transition to a fully circular (packaging) model.
Tom is also a member of the board of Kringwinkel, a Belgian organisation that gives a second life to what otherwise would be waste.

Emilian Axinia

Emilian Axinia, M.Sc. Computer Engineering and Executive MBA, has accumulated over 25 years of experience in engineering and automation projects in the food and beverage industry. He led industrial projects for the global company Ecolab before managing his own company as a distributor of innovative automation technology in Romania. Since May 2007, Emilian Axinia has been part of COPA-DATA’s team in Salzburg, Austria. His focus as Industry Manager is to develop the business in the Food & Beverage industry by addressing the challenges faced by today’s manufacturing companies, for instance supporting their agile transformation journeys with software technology.

Lawrence Hutchison

A highly creative and strategic Global Head of Packaging Design with a mix of top London agencies and company successes. He has worked on many leading global brands across a broad range of sectors & regions. With a breadth and depth of knowledge across brand identity, packaging design, packaging sustainability, Ecom optimisation and shopper marketing. The last 8 years spent at Colart, as Global Head of Packaging Design for Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Lefranc Bourgeois & Snazaroo.

Dr. Phil Brown

Phil's PhD research explored the design and facilitation of collaborative circular oriented innovation networks. His challenge and the continuing question is if a circular economy requires inter-organisational, cross-sector, & networked collaborative innovation, how can this be facilitated? He has joined Circularise to advance blockchain solutions to support companies to overcome the challenges of data sharing within complex supply chains to facilitate collaboration and implement circular strategies. His aim is to support companies to turn their CE ideas into action.

Armin von Keitz

Armin von Keitz is the Sustainability Manager for Tata Steel in The Netherlands TSN. Armin works within the TSN Sustainability Department on sustainability related issues including recycling, Life Cycle Performance of steel, food waste reduction and ethical sourcing. He has a background in Chemistry and a PhD in Material Science.

Neill Dutton

With a background in Physics and Polymer Science, Neill has over 30 years’ experience in the field of flexible packaging with companies such as ICI, Innovia Films and Exxon Mobil. Much of his career has focused on the development of functional coatings for paper, film and foil. At Paramelt he has spearheaded the business and application development for their unique range of wax and aqueous heat seal and barrier coatings. Since 2021 he has moved into the role of CTO of the company, responsible for R&D, QA and Regulatory Affairs globally.

Eduardo Alvarez

Eduardo Alvarez is a Senior Technical Leader at Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics business. In this role, he is responsible for the operations of the Tarragona Pack Studios hub, ensuring successful technical collaborations with customers and value chain partners to accelerate innovation across the packaging industry. Eduardo also owns and develops the people, technology and capability plans to expand the Pack Studios Ecosystem in alignment with Dow’s decarbonize and growth strategy.
Eduardo joined Dow in 2015 in Tarragona, Spain, after graduating from a M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Zaragoza in Spain. He has worked across different market segments and industries in his application development role for the Packaging & Specialty Plastics business within the EMEA region. Currently, he leads a team of engineers, scientists, and lab technicians with a focus on developing innovation for the packaging market.

Marcel Keuenhof

Marcel Keuenhof has been a packaging expert at The Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV) since 2019. At KIDV, his main focus lies on reusable packaging. He brings organisations together that want to explore reusable options, conducts research on this topic, sets up and supports pilots and discusses relevant themes with the stakeholders of KIDV. Before that, he was packaging manager at Wessanen, known for brands such as Zonnatura and Clipper tea. Here, he was heavily involved in the challenges of (sustainable) food packaging in relation to food safety. As a member of the FNLI working group for FCM, for example, he was involved in the MOSH/MOAH dossier. Before that, Marcel worked at KraftHeinz as a packaging technologist and packaging expert within the European Quality Department, covering many aspects of food safety. In the first years of his career, he worked at several packaging manufacturers (glass packaging, but also folding cartonage).

Nikki Groote Schaarsberg

In her role as Packaging Researcher for The Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV), Nikki is always busy translating knowledge into practical tools for the packaging industry. With a background in Industrial Design Engineering (University of Twente) and Food Packaging Design (HAS University of Applied Sciences), she is originally a designer, and she carries this into the projects she tackles. Translating complicated material about sustainable packaging into simple visual expressions is part of her expertise. For KIDV, she collaborated on the development of the Sustainable Packaging Compass, which allows companies to analyse their packaging on recyclability, circularity and environmental impact.

Massimo Venegoni

Sustainability Manager at GITEC, the global Innovation and Technology arm of AB-InBev. His goal is to ensure that Innovation is not only aligned with, but also accelerating the bold ESG ambition of the world’s largest local Brewer. With a background in Economics and a professional life in Supply Chain Teams, Massimo is well equipped to drive Circularity and Decarbonization agendas: After all, a future with more cheers is a future where value is increased for People, Planet and Prosperity.

Farida Bensadoun

Farida is a Global Packaging Innovation Manager at the Global Technology and Innovation Center of AB InBev. Through a strong background in mechanical and material engineering, she is driven to create innovative, disruptive and sustainable packaging for the beer & beverage industry that fits consumers needs and that is making a difference for our planet. On the of the project, the Barley Pack, was among the honoree of the Sustainability awards 2022 in the pre-commercialized Renewable category.

Niels Brouwers

Niels Brouwers is the Zone EUR Packaging development Manager andr esponsible for Packaging Development projects portfolio, including new innovations, value engineering, sustainability, supplier validation and cross-brewing projects that need packaging development.

Lucas van der Schalk

Lucas van der Schalk is the CEO of Corplex, a plastics extrusion company with operations throughout Europe, UK and US. Through the design, development, and production of packaging solutions for reuse, recycling, and repurposing, Corplex aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.
Lucas joined DS Smith Plastics Division in 2016 as Director of Operations. In 2020, Lucas took over as CEO of the newly formed Corplex group after Olympus Partners acquired the division. Prior to this, Lucas worked as Senior Management for ten years in the automotive sector, which broadened his understanding of logistical loops, packaging that supports lean manufacturing practices, and businesses' drive toward zero waste operations. Armed with this knowledge, Lucas redirected Corplex's goals to help business partners improve the sustainability of their supply chains by providing them with the widest range of bespoke reusable plastic applications.

Andrea Irazabal

Andrea Irazabal, Sustainability Manager at UPM Raflatac holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a triple degree MSc. in Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management from University of Uppsala, Ghent University and TU Freiberg. She has more than 8 years of experience in different roles, including positions as Project Manager and R&D scientist for PepsiCo in Mexico. The last 4 years she has been working in the label industry for UPM Raflatac developing their label waste recycling service, where she has worked with well recognized brands such as Danone, Bayer and Amazon to support them on achieving their sustainability targets.

John Kuijt

John Kuijt With a general background in Graphic arts, I have held different sales and marketing management positions, developing a high interest and experience in solutions and workflows for Brand Owners and Retailers. Solving complex business and process challenges, to deliver optimal efficiency, by using best practices processes with cutting edge technology.

Pieter Mulder

My entire career I have been working in international business development and account management roles in the printing, packaging and supply chain management industry with the main focus on international hardware and software suppliers, publishing houses, telecom providers and CPG’s. Currently I hold a strategic account management position Global Brand Team at X-Rite Pantone in which we are supporting Global Brands to develop, implement, manage, and sustain their digital color workflow and print quality program for their entire packaging supply chain.

Steve Claus

Steve Claus is the Sustainability & Circular Economy Officer of APEAL, The Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging. He is responsible for technical steel for packaging projects in sustainability including recyclability, recycling rates, LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) and PEF (Product Environmental Performance). Steve is as an entrepreneurial professional with more than 20 years of experience in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), collection, sorting and recycling of packaging waste and sustainability in general. He holds a master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp.

Shifrah Jacobs

Shifrah's core expertise is enabling transforming lives in marginalized communities by growing social impact and investments through trade. Before taking on an executive role with Plastics for Change, she worked with leading organisations globally including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). She sits on the board of several non-profits in India and is passionate about authentic impact.

Alessio Sorrentino

Alessio Sorrentino has a background in Electronics Engineering and 14 years of experience in the FMCG sector (Unilever and Jacobs Douwe Egberts), with several roles in Operations and Procurement. Alessio strongly believes that a business has a real purpose only when sustainability and people development are the main values. In his current role in Jacobs Douwe Egberts, he is proudly part of the change to make a positive impact on our planet, with a scope covering all packaging categories, raw ingredients (e.g. cocoa, palm oil) and coffee vending machines.

Hedwige Verherbrugghen

Hedwige Verherbrugghen holds a Master degree in Industrial Sciences Biochemistry and a postgraduate in Business Management and Communication. She has more than 20 years of experience in packaging R&D and new business developments in the FMCG and food industry. She led and coordinated development projects worldwide, consumer research and its translation into technical developments for packaging, supplier and production line qualifications and defining QA programs within cross functional, international teams. Among other projects, she coordinated the Roadmap 'Food Packaging of the Future' (HBC.2017.0673) that served as the basis for the European S3 Partnership Food Packaging Platform

Gizem Narin

Gizem Narin is a Technical Packaging Engineer at METRO based in Duesseldorf. She is responsible for the development of packaging for international Own Brand products and provides general packaging support to METRO countries. Prior to joining METRO, she served as a packaging development engineer at Colgate Palmolive and held the position of R&D Responsible at Unilever. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and a Master's Degree in Material Science and Engineering.

Flávio Ferreira

Industrial engineer with 17 years of Packaging Development Experience, helping national and multinational organizations reach their full potential. Background from Siemens, Avon and since 2015 working for Reckitt in different roles in Latin America and today leading the Global Packaging Sustainability team across all business units (Health, Hygiene and Nutrition). Passionate about sustainability with provocative approach of how Packaging can be as an enabler of carbon neutral journey. Many projects’ awards received in the past 5 years from World Packaging Organization (WPO), Dow Innovation Awards and Brazilian Packaging Organization (ABRE). Triathlon – Ironman competition as hobby as well as mentoring focused on business and career development.

Sarah Cuvellier

Sarah is the Deputy CEO of Metal Packaging Europe in charge of European Affairs. She has over 25 years of experience in European Union policymaking (including 10 years at the European Parliament, as a consultant in various agencies and in-house for a French luxury group). She has experience in a wide range of fields and sectors. She also has a strong culture of compromise - essential in the European bubble in Brussels. She joined MPE in January 2022 and is in charge of defending the interests of the rigid metal packaging industry. Sarah is a lawyer with a specialisation in International and European Laws.

William Kuecker

William (Bill) Kuecker currently serves as Senior Director, Global Strategic Marketing for Solenis LLC. In this role he drives the innovation, strategic and marketing activities for the Foodservice Packaging, Retail Packaging and Flexible Packaging Verticals for the 130 countries in which Solenis has commercial activity. Bill is a packaging industry veteran with over 28 years of experience in driving new product development, market channel development, sustainable packaging, and marketing on a global basis for some of the world’s largest paper and plastic based packaging companies prior to joining Solenis in 2023. Bill and his wife, Connie, live just outside of St. Louis in the Central U.S.

Andrea Irazabal

Andrea Irazabal, Sustainability Manager at UPM Raflatac holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a triple degree MSc. in Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management from University of Uppsala, Ghent University and TU Freiberg. She has more than 8 years of experience in different roles, including positions as Project Manager and R&D scientist for PepsiCo in Mexico. The last 4 years she has been working in the label industry for UPM Raflatac developing their label waste recycling service, where she has worked with well recognized brands such as Danone, Bayer and Amazon to support them on achieving their sustainability targets.

Tim Pattison

Tim Pattison – has been with what is today the Interket Group for nearly 30-years, with a Sales and Operations background, and a thorough understanding of the label industry. Tim loves to talk about everything from simple to complex applications, adhesives and silicones to complex projects, innovation concepts, and security solutions.

David Higgins

Born in Dublin, Ireland, David Higgins is currently the Head of Government Relations, Communications & Sustainability for International Paper Europe Middle East Africa. International Paper, a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp employes over 39,000 people globally recording worldwide sales of $19BN in 2023. David is a member of the Executive Committee for EMEA, and previously served as a Board Member for their operations in Turkey.

Prior to joining International Paper in 2007, Mr. Higgins has held a variety of leadership roles with Coopers & Lybrand, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte & Touche and the European Commission from the early 90’s based in London and Brussels.

  Mr. Higgins holds a Bachelor's degree from University College Dublin, Ireland and a Master’s degree in Marketing from Strathclyde University in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and a Board member of the Belgian chapter, was elected as Accademico Corrispondenti by the Italian Accademia dei Georgofili and has been awarded the Polish Cross of Merit by the Republic of Poland.

David holds dual Citizenship and is married to a Swedish national, together with their three children they reside in Brussels, Belgium.

Xavier Bonamour

Over 20 years in the flexible packaging industry
Extensive professional experience from Field tech service to Business development to VP Product Management & Technical Services

Ulphard Thoden van Velzen

Ulphard Thoden van Velzen is a 57 year old Dutchman that studied chemistry in Utrecht and Enschede, worked for one year as a post-doc in Sydney and ever since at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research; a contract research organisation. Up to about 2008 the focus of the contract research was to extend the shelf life of perishable foods with advanced packaging solutions and hence avoid food loss. From 2008 on the focus shifted towards the understanding packaging waste and mechanical recycling. The main challenge is to relate the design-aspects of packages to the quality of recycled plastics. He has an extended network of clients from packaging industries, waste management companies, recycling facilities, EPR organisations, Ministries, material organisations and sectorial stakeholders.

Karl Banke

Karl has worked for Polykemi AB since 2005, with a focus mainly on technical support and material development. During the last 10 years, sustainability has been a large part of the daily work. Karl has a MSc in chemical technology from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, with focus on polymer technology.

Eva Amsterdam

Eva Amsterdam has been responsible for the sustainability strategy and implementation of Coca-Cola Europacifc Partners in the Netherlands for over three years. She worked in sales, marketing and brand management, but always had an internal drive for making a positive impact. Eva has a Master’s degree in Persuasive Communication from University of Amsterdam and has graduated from the Sustainability for Business Course at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Annebeth de Witte

Annebeth has extensive experience in Packaging Development, mainly at FMCG companies. She worked for companies including Danone, JDEcoffee, Henkel and HEMA. At Thai Union she builds up the Packaging Development team for the new European Innovation Hub. Key objective is deliver customer driven, sustainable innovations serving multiple European brands of Thai Union company

Peter Ragaert

Peter Ragaert obtained in 2001 the degree of bioscience engineer chemistry at Ghent University, Belgium. After his PhD in 2005 on shelf-life and packaging of fruits and vegetables, Peter stayed in the packaging field as project manager in the organization Pack4Food. Currently, Peter is leading, together with An Vermeulen, this organization which is a collaboration platform between the food and packaging industry, research institutes and other stakeholders in food packaging. Through collective research projects, trainings and network activities, Pack4Food aims to stimulate innovation in food packaging with a strong focus on packaging materials in a circular economy.
Furthermore, Peter is professor on food packaging technology at Ghent University focusing on biobased & compostable plastics as well as barrier materials for food packaging. One of the key elements in his research is relating different compositions and functionalisation of packaging materials with resulting shelf-life of food products.