9th - 10th March 2026

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

Michaël Nieuwesteeg, Managing Director, NVC Packaging Centre

09:00 - 09:30

Scaling packaging excellence: simplification, PPWR readiness & sustainable innovation

  • Packaging engineering is now a strategic growth engine, connecting business ambition, operational execution, sustainability, and compliance end to end.
  • Simplification is the ultimate power move: harmonized formats, converged specifications, and scalable platforms unlock speed, reliability, and value.
  • PPWR becomes a design code, not a fire drill, when engineers translate regulation into clear, usable rules.
  • Master data enables scale: clean, governed packaging data is the backbone of traceability, digitalization, and execution speed.
  • Sustainable innovation only wins when it travels, working reliably across plants, markets, and products.
  • Great systems require great engineering culture, built on ownership, discipline, and system thinking.

Riccardo Ferrante, Head of Global Packaging Center of Excellence, Henkel
Barbara Cutugno-Krause, Head of Global Sustainable Packaging, Henkel

09:30 - 10:00

Why shoppers don’t give a **** about sustainability, and what it means for you.

  • Sustainability doesn’t play a significant role in people’s purchase decisions in the supermarket.
  • Several examples where sustainability was a compromise on functionality or quality that resulted in loss of sales/turn-over.
  • Why, for many categories, theoretically good solutions like refill don’t work.
  • What it means for packaging developers and how you (as a packaging developer) can make sure you still deliver your sustainability ambitions

Leon Oudehand, Packaging Director, Cloetta

10:00 - 10:30

Driving Innovation: Transforming Packaging with Sustainable Materials Science

  • Unveiling the latest advancements in eco-friendly packaging materials.
  • Strategies for minimizing environmental impact through sustainable practices
  • Enhancing packaging performance while reducing resource consumption
  • Creating sustainable packaging that meets consumer and industry demands
  • Partnerships driving the shift to sustainable packaging solutions
  • Empowering industry leaders with knowledge on sustainable material benefits

10:35 - 11:25

COFFEE BREAK

11:30 - 12:00

Navigating Emissions in Paperboard Packaging: Understanding Sources and Challenges

  • Exploring the intricate landscape of indirect emissions within the paperboard packaging industry
  • Delving into the diverse origins of emissions in paperboard production and the challenges companies face
  • Examining the complexities of the reporting process, offering practical insights into effective measurement and disclosure strategies
  • Case studies on mitigation strategies and reduction initiatives

12:00 - 12:30

Revolutionizing Packaging by Embracing Compostable and Sustainable Materials

  • Exploring biodegradable options to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability
  • Reducing plastic usage by adopting alternative, eco-friendly materials in packaging
  • Adopting compostable packaging solutions to support waste reduction and environmental health
  • Sourcing renewable materials to ensure long-term sustainability and resource availability
  • Enhancing recyclability of packaging materials to facilitate circular economy practices

12:30 - 13:00

Generative AI: Transforming the Future of Paper-Based Packaging

  • Sustainability Enhancements: By leveraging gen AI, we are design packaging that reduces material waste, improves recyclability, and aligns with global and local waste regulations. AI is simulating various design scenarios, helping to identify the most eco-friendly options while maintaining durability and performance.
  • Affordability Gains: Gen AI optimises manufacturing processes, minimising costs through efficient material usage and selection, predictive maintenance, and streamlined supply chain operations. These improvements enable cost-effective packaging solutions without compromising on quality or compliance.
  • R&D Acceleration: For paper-based products, gen AI, based on massive packaging data, saves long and costly trial and error phases and ensures precise design for the brand’s needs and desires to meet modern demands for sustainability, machinability, and performance.

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation / PPWR
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Digital Product Passport (DPP)
  • Robotic Automation
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials/Circularity and End-of-Life
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Material Optimization (Reduction and Sourcing)
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Bio-based PET
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

13:05 - 13:55

LUNCH

14:00 - 14:30

Haleon packaging approach: Consumer first - A look at OTC packaging development roadmap

  • How consumer healthcare packaging can drive circularity using real life examples
  • Highlighting the different steps needed from leadership and ambition to standardization

Vincent Raspail, Global Packaging Development Manager, Haleon

14:30 – 15:00

Is Circular Packaging for every company?

  • In Temperature controlled shipments, is circular packaging Vs Standard packaging.
  • Role of reverse logistics
  • A case study on circular packaging and how we did it.
  • How to estimate landed costs, quote the prices.
  • Calculating the ROI.
  • Check if you are eligible for doing it or not.

Sasank Grandhi, Logistics Lead, Krayden Europe BV

15:00 – 15:30

Design-for-food-grade-recycling

  • Almost all current polyolefin-based packages are unsuited for food-grade recycling
  • Recycling processes will only be approved if all potential contamination risks are minimised
  • An unprecedented redesign campaign of food packages is necessary to meet the recycled content targets of the PPWR
  • Printing inks, adhesives, labels need to be removed completely prior to recycling
  • Packaging standardisation is inevitable to make recycling economical viable
  • There is a lack of awareness at politicians and food entrepreneurs

Ulphard Thoden van Velzen, Senior Researcher, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research

15:35 - 16:25

COFFEE BREAK

16:30 - 17:00

Optimizing Resin Usage: Enhancing Sustainability and Efficiency in Packaging Production

  • Exploring advancements in bio-resin technologies for sustainable packaging solutions.
  • Reducing material waste through efficient resin application and recycling practices.
  • Increasing packaging durability while lowering environmental impact with innovative resin blends.
  • Ensuring regulatory compliance with eco-friendly resin formulations.
  • Evaluating cost-saving strategies by optimizing resin supply chains and procurement.
  • Enhancing product performance with high-performance, lightweight resin alternatives.

17:00 - 17:30

How Artificial Intelligence Can Advance User-Centric, Sustainable Packaging Design

  • AI Provides Deeper Insight into Consumer Needs and Preferences
  • Translating Consumer Insights into User-Centered Packaging Designs with AI
  • Unique sustainability and branding requirements through several methods, including Automated Design Generation, Personalization, Material Suggestions, Trend Adaptation

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation / PPWR
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Digital Product Passport (DPP)
  • Robotic Automation
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials/Circularity and End-of-Life
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Material Optimization (Reduction and Sourcing)
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Bio-based PET
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

17:30 - 18:00

Where Innovation Becomes Reality: Aligning Marketing, R&D, Operations and Sustainability for Packaging that Performs

  • How to break functional silos and build one shared decision-making framework for packaging development
  • Turning sustainability goals into practical design and operational requirements that teams can execute
  • Managing trade-offs between performance, cost, speed-to-market and environmental impact
  • What organisations miss when marketing promises what operations cannot deliver
  • Real examples of alignment wins: how cross-functional clarity reduces waste, accelerates development and improves business value

Carel Oskam, Managing Director, Oskam-Cimacs

18:00-19:00

DRINKS RECEPTION

DAY 2

08:55 – 09:00

CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS

Michaël Nieuwesteeg, Managing Director, NVC Packaging Centre

09:00 – 09:30

Is the Era of Packaging Sustainability coming to an end?

  • Barilla’s ESG Packaging Journey
  • Sustainability as the Industry’s main driver: how environmental goals have dominated packaging innovation for the past decade.
  • The Risk of a Narrow Focus: has the green race overshadowed consumer-centricity, functionality, and convenience?
  • Broadening the Innovation Lens

Alessandro Ruggeri, Global Packaging Vice President, Barilla

09:30 – 10:00

Packaging Recyclability: looking beyond 2030 targets

  • The European legislative framework
  • RecyClass and the relevance of design for recycling
  • DfR Guidelines and testing protocols for plastic packaging
  • Recyclability methodology
  • Recycled plastic traceability

Fabrizio Di Gregorio, Technical Director, Plastics Recyclers Europe

10:00 - 10:30

Engineering Packaging Success: Delivering Innovation and Sustainability Across Global Markets

  • Pioneering sustainable materials for effective, eco-friendly packaging solutions
  • Ensuring packaging meets diverse channel and market needs worldwide
  • Reducing impact through innovative packaging solutions and strategies
  • From ideation to validation, leading successful packaging initiatives

10:30- 11:25

COFFEE BREAK

11:30 – 12:00

Industrial Design: Merging Functionality and Aesthetics in Packaging

  • Balancing form and function in packaging design.
  • Enhancing product usability with ergonomic packaging solutions.
  • Reducing material usage through efficient industrial design practices.
  • Creating visually appealing and functional packaging.
  • Promoting brand identity through industrial design principles.

12:00 – 12:30

Empowering Brands with Cutting-Edge Polymer Technologies

  • Innovating packaging with advanced polymer technologies for enhanced sustainability and performance
  • Reducing environmental impact through recyclable and lightweight material solutions for diverse packaging applications
  • Enhancing product protection and shelf life with high-barrier films and resins
  • Scaling global packaging operations with consistent, high-quality polymer supply chain
  • Partnering with brands to meet sustainability goals through tailored material solutions and innovative designs

12:30 – 13:00

Empowering Sustainable Packaging with Game-Changing Plant-Based Bio-MEG and Bio-MPG Innovations

  • Transforming the packaging industry with cutting-edge bio-based materials for a sustainable future
  • Reducing carbon footprints through innovative plant-derived packaging solutions for food and beverages
  • Replacing traditional plastics with eco-friendly bio-MEG for durable, renewable packaging alternatives
  • Enhancing product performance while meeting consumer demand for sustainability and environmental responsibility
  • Unlocking versatile applications with bio-MPG for cosmetics and personal care packaging, lowering environmental impact
  • Pioneering scalable bio-chemical technologies to support a greener, low-carbon economy

PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS

  • Packaging Innovation / PPWR
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Additives for Innovative Packaging Design
  • Food Contact Materials
  • Flexible Packaging Solutions
  • Testing & Analysis
  • Digital Product Passport (DPP)
  • Robotic Automation
  • Sustainable Pallet and Container Solutions
  • Packaging Machinery & Plant construction
  • Biodegradable Materials/Circularity and End-of-Life
  • Brand Protection & Anti-counterfeiting
  • Smart Packaging Technologies
  • Packaging Procurement
  • Labelling & Traceability
  • Material Optimization (Reduction and Sourcing)
  • Packaging Sterilization / Decontamination
  • Bio-based PET
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Packaging Engineering
  • Automation/Robotics
  • Circular Economy
  • E-Commerce Packaging
  • Sustainable Digital Printing
  • Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
  • Sustainable Inks
  • Carton Packaging
  • 3D Printing

13:05 - 13:55

LUNCH

14:00 - 14:30

Reuse & Refill for a sustainable future

  • What is the (ecourage) system (OmniTap™, OmniCap™, OmniBiB™, Digital Data Management Platform)
  • How this system is different than others in the market
  • Case study: ecostore
  • Lessons learned from piloting and scaling reuse/refill
  • Key operational and business considerations for implementing refill systems
  • What does the future bring?

Angela Camacho, Commercial Project Lead, Ecourage
Koen Buijtenweg, Chief Operations Officer, Ecourage

14:30 - 15:00

Advancing Sustainability: Redefining Packaging Processes For A Sustainable Future

  • Incorporating Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Materials to minimize environmental impact and promote circularity
  • Designing for Waste Reduction through smart packaging strategies that prioritize minimalism and resource efficiency
  • Partnering with Suppliers to co-create sustainable packaging innovations that align with eco-commitments
  • Enhancing Transparency by reporting on packaging sustainability goals and progress to stakeholders and customers
  • Empowering Consumers with education on sustainable packaging and end-of-life options for beauty products

15:00 - 15:05

CHAIRPERSON’S CLOSE

Please note the agenda can be subject to change