PACKAGING Innovations & Empack has confirmed its speaker line-up for the event, which takes place from February 12-13 at the NEC, Birmingham.
The exhibition, which looks set to welcome more than 450 exhibitors and over 7,000 attendees, will feature speakers across three key stages: Circular Economy; Innovation & Design; and Manufacturing & Supply Chain.
The programme will provide insights into the latest trends, innovations, and regulations shaping the packaging industry’s future.
“We meticulously curate our speaker line-up to ensure that each session delivers invaluable insights, addressing the most pressing challenges and innovations in the packaging industry,” said Casey McHugh, conference & community manager, UK packaging portfolio, Easyfairs UK & Global. “Our goal is to create an environment where attendees can engage with experts, discover innovative technologies, and gain insights to drive their businesses forward. We understand the importance of delivering relevant and actionable content, empowering our audience to implement new strategies and solutions in their organisations.”
Jude Allan, MD of OPRL, will get things underway on the Circular Economy Stage, discussing ‘Preparing for Change: The Role of Labels in Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging‘. This session will delve into the role of labels in EPR.
Sebastian Munden, chair of WRAP, will host a discussion with representatives from the four nation governments on how a UK-first organisation will help deliver a fairer and more sustainable packaging industry for all. The panelists will include David McPhee, deputy director of the circular economy division, Scottish Government.
Cathy Cook, chair of LARAC, will moderate a session titled ‘Local Authorities Leading the Shift‘, highlighting successful circular economy initiatives and the role of local authorities in driving sustainable practices. This will be followed by Future Trailblazers, celebrating emerging talent and showcasing innovative contributions from new professionals.
Maria Vastag from Smithers will present ‘The Future of Sustainable Packaging’, offering insights into upcoming trends and technologies shaping sustainable packaging solutions, before ‘The Big Debate: This house believes reuse represents the future of packaging‘, stewarded by the Foodservice Packaging Association’s Martin Kersh wraps things up on Day One.
On Day Two, Monica Battistella from Taghleef Industries will discuss how to achieve circular packaging in compliance with PPWR and the importance of collaboration. DEFRA returns with speakers representing local government, membership bodies, retailers, compliance schemes, and packaging manufacturers discussing their aspirations for pEPR. There will also be a discussion on refill and reuse models in UK retail. Other standout sessions include ‘Industry Insights: The Necessary Evolution of Sustainable Packaging in the Beauty Industry‘, highlighting innovations in sustainable and reusable beauty packaging.
The Innovation & Design stage features a series of sessions focusing on sustainable packaging and technological advancements. On Day One, Miguel Arevalo, packaging sustainability and innovation lead at Google, will discuss the company’s journey to 100% plastic-free packaging, highlighting the use of materials like stronger, stretchable paper and moulded fibre pulp made from recycled newspapers. This session will also introduce Google’s open-sourced ‘Plastic-Free Packaging Design Guide,’ aiming to inspire and collaborate with designers worldwide.
Following this, James Piper and Robbie Staniforth, the Talking Rubbish podcast hosts, will conduct a live interview with William Connolly, senior principal scientist at Diageo. They will delve into Diageo’s innovations for brands like Johnnie Walker and Baileys, discussing challenges in designing premium products that emphasise recyclability, reduce carbon emissions, and implement reuse and refill systems.
Elsewhere, Tey Bannerman, partner at McKinsey & Company, will explore the impact of generative AI on design, while a panel on ‘Paperisation in Practice’ will explore the potential and limitations of fibre-based packaging.
Day Two highlights include an ‘Innovation Spotlight’ on smart packaging technologies. Martin Shaw of Elopak and Michael Lyttle, MD of Mulrines, will present on the importance of prioritising sustainability, but also the importance of ensuring your product stands out on shelves. Also scheduled is Sun Branding’s ‘Design for Good‘ session on creating truly inclusive, impactful, and accessible brand packaging; and the Packaging Start-Up Awards 2025.
The Manufacturing & Supply Chain stage opens on Day One with Josephine Coombe, chief commercial officer of Nulogy, joined by guests to explore how to optimise equipment effectiveness and overcome downtime for contract packers. Following this, Verity Davidge, director of policy at Make UK, will present “Securing the Future of Packaging: Why UK Manufacturers Need a Coherent Industrial Strategy Now“, where she will address the pressing need for a clear, long-term industrial strategy to enhance the competitiveness of UK packaging manufacturers.
The ‘Nourishing Packaging Talent‘ session will introduce emerging professionals in the manufacturing sector, highlighting Sheffield Hallam University’s undergraduate degree dedicated to the packaging industry.
Tom Stone, packaging development manager at Bakkavor, will share insights on advanced packaging technologies and design strategies aimed at preventing spoilage and optimising storage conditions, while Anshuman Mishra, partner, Boston Consulting Group, will explore real-world applications for manufacturing and logistics optimisation. Appetite Creative’s Jenny Stanley will moderate a panel discussion to assess when connected packaging makes business sense.
The ‘Predictions in Packaging Optimisation’ panel session scheduled for Day Two will be moderated by Neil Farmer.
Elsewhere, the BCMPA’s Emma Verkaik will be joined by PHL Group and Arrowtown Drinks representatives to understand how outsourced fulfilment drives business growth, while JDO Global will host a panel bringing together design agencies, brands, and manufacturers to discuss the unified approach needed to create premium packaging.
Johan Hanekom, principal for sustainability & innovation at Amazon Web Services, will deliver a keynote to take attendees through the importance of striking a balance between machine and worker and how technological innovation can optimise packing and fulfilling processes.
