9th - 10th March 2026
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 18 years of Packaging Development Experience in cosmetic and FMCG companies, being responsible to manage teams in multiple countries. Over the past 10 years working for Reckitt in different roles in Latin America and since 2023 as Global Packaging Sustainability Director driving long term packaging strategy with balance of short – implementation guidelines and long-term view with open innovation and disruptive technologies. 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.
Sarah Cuvellier
Sarah Cuvellier is the Deputy CEO of Metal Packaging Europe, responsible for European Affairs. She has over 25 years’ experience in European Union policymaking (including 10 years in 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 areas and sectors and 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. Within MPE, Sarah follows PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation), SUPD (Single-Use Plastics Directive), ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustement Mechanism) and Green Claims Directive. 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.
Omer Bin Younos
With over 20 years of experience in R&D / Supply Chain management, as the Global Head of Packaging (Global Packaging Director) Foods at Unilever, leading a team of 27 packaging professionals for Foods Business (€14 Bn turnover) and Packaging Capability for Future Materials & Digital Transformation. In addition, functional lead for 73 Foods R&D packaging professionals spread across different regions around the globe. My ambition is to deliver world-class packaging solutions that are consumer-focused, holistic, innovative, and sustainable, while developing disruptive technologies for the future. I have successfully led and executed global and regional projects that enhanced productivity, quality, agility, and cost reduction, using digital tools and enabling technologies. I have also influenced the packaging technology and sustainability agenda through industry collaborations and partnerships, securing multiple patents and awards. I am a collaborative, growth-oriented, and results-driven leader, with a passion for developing high-performance teams and managing complex business challenges. I am always eager to learn, explore, and share new ideas and best practices in the field of packaging. Let's get connected!
Marco Macoratti
Marco is a highly experienced professional with 25 years in the Paper & Packaging Industry, specialized in Business Sustainability and Sustainable Packaging. In his role at Mondi Group, he works extensively with major Industrial, FMCG, and Retail brands, advising them on how to achieve their sustainability goals through adoption of packaging solutions of paper, plastic or hybrid materials. He specializes in achieving positive returns on their sustainability investment in innovative flexible packaging solutions, combining sustainability, growth and value creation through partnerships. Marco is also a strong advocate for the circular economy and works as a key partner in shaping sustainable business strategies.
Eric Parois
Eric Parois is a business leader with expertise in strategic thinking, market focus, and cross-cultural communication. Experienced in business management, key account management, and P&L oversight, he excels in sales development and reporting tools like Salesforce.com and SAP. With a strong background in team leadership, organizational development, and change management, Eric has led global projects and international business growth, particularly in Asia.
Pascal Peroni
Pascal Peroni is a B2B expert with expertise in business management, sales development, and marketing strategy. Specializing in the chemical industry, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, food, and ingredients, he excels in product lifecycle management, P&L oversight, and key account management.
Hannah Franzel
Hannah Franzel is a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Design and Innovation with over a decade of experience in the packaging industry. She started her career at a small innovation business developing a fiber bottle machine. Hannah has since worked at Jabra (GN Netcom) and AFRY (ÅF AB), collaborating with companies like Sony and Biogaia. Currently, she is at Orkla Foods Sweden, focusing on engineering with a design and business perspective. Her work involves developing ideas that integrate production, distribution, service, environmental sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics.
Riikka Salokannel
Riikka Salokannel is a Master of Culture and Arts in the field of product design and graphic design, specialized sustainable packaging development and branding with packages. At the moment working as a Packaging Development Manager for Lantmännen Unibake, baking company owned by 20 000 Swedish farmers. There and throughout the whole career the task is to maximize the beneficial outcome and minimizing the negative effects of creating and producing products, using package as tool for it. The focus is on the sustainable packaging development and co-creation. After learning so much while working in R&D, innovations and marketing departments of the global food industry companies as well as a design entrepreneur with small businesses, it´s time to outsource the knowhow for innovative and sustainable solutions of wicked challenges.
Michael Nieuwesteeg
NVC Packaging Centre (founded in 1953) is the association of companies addressing the activity of packaging throughout the supply chain of packaged products. The NVC membership, innovation projects, information services and education programme stimulate the continuous improvement of packaging.
Before joining the NVC (1997) Michael was business unit manager within a major medical corporation with worldwide responsibility for the development, manufacturing and sales of intracorporeal medical microsensors in cardiology, urology and neurology. He worked as a member of scientific staff in semiconductor research at a large consumer-electronics and healthcare multinational before that. After graduating in Chemistry (Utrecht University, with honours) and Chemical Engineering (Twente University) he was editor-in-chief of a monthly popular-scientific magazine in The Netherlands for two years (1984-85).
Michael is board member of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). As member of the Convenors Action Group (CAG) within ISO he was closely involved in the development of the world standards on packaging and environment.
Within the NVC directorship, Michael’s interests currently are focused the role that packaging may play in a sustainably ageing world society, especially in food, cosmetics and pharma. Applying the wealth of Artificial Intelligence enabled services and technologies is closely intertwined with this.
Suvi Rasa
Suvi Rasa joined UPM nearly 20 years ago and has extensive experience on sustainability, including developing UPM’s sustainable product design approach and advancing sustainability of new bio-based materials and fuels. In UPM Raflatac's label business she embarked on a new journey over three years ago. Her current role is focused on driving circularity and sustainable product design. With Master of Science degrees in environmental science as well as economics and business administration she possesses a holistic understanding of sustainability considerations in business environment.
Karen Van de Stadt
Karen van de Stadt has been a packaging expert at the Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV, part of Verpact) since 2013. She has started her career as a packaging developer and worked on packaging development and design for several brands. Karen van de Stadt has studied packaging design (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and packaging management (NVC, Gouda). At KIDV, she supports producers and importers of packaging materials to keep up with latest developments and to make their packaging portfolio more sustainable. She provides them with practical tools, factsheets and knowledge based on applied scientific research. In her current role as a strategic packaging expert she works at the crossing of policy and practice, packaging (design and systems) and packaging waste systems.
Nikki Groote Schaarsberg
In her role as Packaging Researcher for The Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV), Nikki is 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. She works on the crosslinks between research and design, and works for KIDV on instruments and analysis.
Britta Wyss Bisang
Britta Wyss Bisang is the VP of Sustainability and Strategic MarCom of Schoeller Allibert, the leading supplier of returnable and reusable transport packaging in Europe. Britta has a 20+ years track record in strategy development, ESG/sustainability programs, communications and change management. She is an expert in corporate sustainability and advocacy for a circular economy and has positioned Schoeller Allibert as a sustainability leader in its industry. Britta holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences from ETH Zurich and has graduated with an Executive MBA from IMD Business School, Lausann
Matt Baldock
Matt Baldock – a man who first discovered the magic of packaging at the tender age of six, scampering around his grandfather’s East London print house – now leads a challenger brand revolution at Paptic as its Segment Director. A product of prestigious London schooling and a Russell Group education crowned by postgraduate credentials, his brief flirtation with business outside packaging only confirmed his destiny: to transform an industry in dire need of audacity. His illustrious packaging journey most recently amassed a five-year tenure at Sealed Air, where he ascended to Business Development Director – EMEA and captained a digital packaging venture as Startup CEO. A proven entrepreneur with successful exits from both Vowpack consultancy and Digimock, he is also a tireless climate activist, vegan, and Team GB tri/duathlete, forever championing change with gusto.
Tim Barbary
Tim Barbary is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and is a member of the Packaging Leadership Group at IOM3. He serves as the Chairman of the Midlands Packaging Society, which represents packaging interests across the Midlands regions of the UK. Tim co-founded and co-owns Benchmark-Consulting Global Ltd, a company that provides daily commercial cost and carbon footprint (CO2e) estimation and quotation software solutions for the packaging industry and consultation to major buyers of packaging globally Prior to Benchmark, Tim accumulated over 30 years of experience mostly as a packaging procurement professional, working for global brands such as Beefeater Gin, Unilever, United Biscuits, and Kimberly Clark. He has authored a book titled "K's Net Zero Journey to the Wizard of Coz," which explores the themes of commercial cost of sustainability and net-zero emissions. Released a white paper on Harnessing the Power of Complex Packaging Data He has extensive experience as a consultant and public speaker at conferences, summits and in webinars. He is also a member of the US Speciality Alliance of the US.
Georgios Kodros
Georgios Kodros is Managing Director of Labthink GmbH, the European Subsidiary of Labthink Instruments, based in Neu-Isenburg, Germany. Holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Biology and an MBA. Professionally he developed long experience leading European companies in pharmaceutical and environmental protection industry, for the last 25 years. Since 2020 serves the Packaging Industry, providing testing solutions to Flexible Packaging Manufacturers, focusing especially on Permeation and Physical properties Testing of Packaging materials.
Franz Jaeger
Franz Jaeger is the co-owner and Managing Director of the Pulp-Tec Group, leader in technical packaging from Moulded Pulp in Europe. He is also Vice President of the EMPPA European Moulded Pulp Producer Association and passionate about sustainable packaging solutions to create a truly circular economy. He has a track record of more than 15 years of experience in the pulp industry and is an expert in paper pulp solutions and the European pulp packaging market.