ORGANISERS of Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 have announced the recent event set a new record with 7,424 unique visitors.
Bringing together more than 450 exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals, the two-day event showcased the latest technology and solutions, and featured a conference agenda boasting 96 speakers across 32 sessions.
A key moment was the first-ever stakeholder presentation of PackUK, the administrator of the UK’s new pEPR Scheme. The discussion, led by Sebastian Munden, chair of the EPR Scheme Administrator, and featuring government representatives, set the stage for the scheme’s implementation and impact on businesses.
Shane Doris, director of environmental resources policy division at the department for agriculture and rural affairs, Northern Ireland took to the stage to say, “It has been a Herculean effort involving politicians, officials, packaging industry representatives, and other stakeholders from across the UK. I can think of no better event to launch PackUK, and I look forward to healthy discussions with the many value chain professionals attending.”
On the second day, the conversation developed as Mary Creagh MP, minister for nature, DEFRA, chaired a panel addressing pEPR’s financial implications for SMEs and the importance of collaboration across the value chain. “There is an opportunity for all of you to pitch in with your ideas, intelligence, and experience,” she said. “We want to make sure Britain is open for business and that we are working together to deliver transformational change.”
This stands in contrast to recent policy shifts in the US. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement signals a shift in priorities. That was something Miguel Arevalo, Google’s packaging innovation lead, highlighted during his keynote at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025.
“It’s great to be here, and I appreciate the interest in what we’re doing at Google and the opportunity to engage with the European space,” he stated. “I believe Europe is driving the future of sustainability, and regardless of whatever political aspects happen on the other side of the pond, this is where we need to be. We need to be present and aware of what’s happening so we can play our part in shaping the future.”
Alongside sustainability, smart packaging and AI were major talking points. Stefan Casey, head of ecosystem at SharpEnd/io.tt, led a panel that explored the potential of digital packaging solutions, predicting a shift in how AI and connected packaging will transform consumer engagement. “AI will take over some jobs – we have to think differently across the entire supply chain,” he said. “Technology is reshaping packaging in ways we couldn’t have imagined.”
Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, MD at RNIB Enterprises, highlighted how smart packaging can create more inclusive experiences for visually impaired consumers. “When we talk about designing for all, we need to think beyond obvious disabilities,” she said. “Any friction in the user experience can be a barrier — packaging must be designed with the future for all in mind.”
This year’s Innovation Gallery Award was won by Swisspack Europe’s FORMIL refill spout pouches for Lidl, developed in partnership with Algramo. The system, which allows customers to refill detergent in-store, is designed to reduce plastic waste while promoting cost-effective, sustainable shopping.
The 2025 Packaging Startup Awards recognised advancements in sustainability, with winners including Blue Ocean Closures (Alternative Materials), PulpaTronics (Connected Packaging), GreenEvo (Online Innovation), Cauli (Refill & Reuse), and AeroFlexx (Waste Reduction). PulpaTronics was also awarded Packaging Startup of the Year.
James Montero-MacColl, senior marketing manager at event organiser Easyfairs, said, “We wanted to make this an unmissable event, and we’ve done just that. From new legislation to breakthrough technology, the industry has come together to drive change. The energy on the show floor was incredible, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The 2026 edition of Packaging Innovations & Empack will take place from February 11-12 next year.
