LONDON Packaging Week organiser Easyfairs has hailed this year’s event a ‘real success’ with early indications suggesting a ‘strong upward trend’ in overall visitor numbers.
The two-day event featured over 190 exhibitors and thousands of visitors.
Jamies Montero MacColl, senior marketing manager at Easyfairs UK, revealed the decision to return the show to a Wednesday-Thursday format paid off, and described the conference stages as ‘really busy’.
“The exhibitors are delighted, and lots of high-level conversations are happening,” he added. “The award winners are delighted, giving them richly deserved credibility to move forward with. Overall, it’s been a real success, and as the organiser, we’re incredibly happy with how it has turned out. Our happiness stems from the happiness of our clients, the exhibitors and the quality of visitors, which make it attractive for exhibitors to come to London Packaging Week. It’s now time to set our sights on October 2025 and ensure we can continue this ascent.”
Defra was present at London Packaging Week 2024, as an opportunity to engage with the packaging industry on its role in relation to the environment. Margaret Bates, who heads up the government agency’s Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Scheme, took part in a conversation with Foodservice Packaging Association executive director Martin Kersh, which asked if regulation is stifling creativity. Speaking after the session, Margaret referenced the type of products and developments on show at London Packaging Week 2024 and concluded, “If anything, the opposite is true; innovation is being prioritised in order to respond to new and evolving regulations.”
Jude Allan, interim MD at OPRL, added, “It has been fantastic, and it’s so nice to see lots of people and just have some really interesting conversations. I feel like the conversations around EPR are really interesting, and there are still some people who are just finding out about it, which is an important part of what we’ve been doing.”
Melvin Jay, founder and CEO at GUNNA Drinks, which provides aluminium bottled ‘immune boosting’ lemonades, said, “These shows are essential. There are just so many surprising connections that people will make here. I could come here and think, who or what am I going to see that will be valuable to me – well, it’s a heck of a lot. You meet people, get new ideas, even just the joy of walking around and checking out what the exhibitors can do.”
Paper-based material suppliers Holmen Iggesund and Tullis Russell had numerous conversations about developing and transitioning to sustainable packaging options. Tullis Russell partnered with Notpla to showcase their joint development of foodservice packaging options made out of seaweed and plants and showed off other developments in its product range for labels and consumer packaging.
Holmen Iggesund presented its Touching Tomorrow sample box – a portfolio of materials, techniques and designs with the future of packaging firmly in mind – as well as showcasing its partnership with Yangi, to explore opportunities of bio-based and renewable packaging for the cosmetic and beauty industry.
The inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards honoured designs including Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume, Highland Park’s 54-year-old decanter, Coca-Cola’s label-free Sprite Naked, and Altra’s groundbreaking Altra Box.
Bowmore, one of two Premium and Luxury Drinks winners, were represented on the day by Malcolm Swindell, strategic innovation lead at Suntory Global Spirits. He said, “As custodians of Bowmore, it’s so special to be recognised by the judges of London Packaging Week.”
Elsewhere, Easyfairs announced that this year’s Exhibitor Innovation Gallery winner is the Daisy Top Refill System by Meadow.
