ORGANISERS of Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 have unveiled the full conference programme for the event, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC from February 11-12.
Across four dedicated stages, speakers will explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of packaging.
Attendees will hear from over 100 speakers representing more than 70 global brands and organisations, including Diageo, Nestlé, Unilever, Amazon, BCMPA, Material ConneXion, Sheffield Hallam University, PackUK, WRAP, RECOUP, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
“The agenda is designed to ignite curiosity and spark ideas across the packaging industry,” said Casey McHugh, conference & community manager – UK & global at Easyfairs. “It’s a journey through innovation, creativity, and collaboration, where every session highlights the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of packaging.”
Highlights on Wednesday, 11 February include The Big Design Question: Is Sustainability Halting Design and Packaging Innovation?, with moderator Niamh Cartwright, co-director, Northern Design Festival, and panellists Kevin McAulay, client director, Sun Branding; Mat Lon, chief creative officer, Lyon & Lyon; Tom Stone, senior packaging development controller, Bakkavor; and Louiza Cookson-Rabouhi, managing innovation designer, Magnetic.
Later that day, Paul Horton, principal – packaging, graphics at Diageo and Will Harvey, senior global digital innovation manager at Diageo, will demonstrate how AI and human creativity are combining to craft personalised luxury beverage experiences.
On the Supply Chain Stage, Alexia Williams, technical lead at Rolls-Royce, leads a panel on inspiring the next generation of packaging engineers, while the UK Automation Forum will host a panel dedicated to the factory of the future, looking at robotics as an engine for packaging agility.
The Circular Economy Stage sees Esther Carter, chief strategy officer, PackUK, deliver an update on the EPR scheme. RECOUP will look host a session looking at designing packaging that really gets recycled. Following that, ‘Talking Rubbish Live!’ will see podcast hosts James Piper and Robbie Staniforth discuss legal and practical challenges in recyclable packaging collaboration. The first day ends with The Big Debate, chaired by Martin Kersh, co-CEO at the Packaging Federation where the topic will be: ‘AI will do far more to improve packaging waste management than the government’s packaging reforms’.
Thursday 12 February continues the conversation on inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability. Chloe Williams, co-chapter lead, WIN: Women in Innovation, joins Sarah Leech, head of packaging & design, homecare, Unilever, Boma Krigsman, senior marketing manager at Thirst Craft, and Kelly Dawson, co-founder & strategy partner, Studio Every, to explore empathy-driven packaging design.The Design & Innovation Stage will also feature a keynote from creative technologist Jude Pullen, who will discuss how to stay creative when regulations, markets and money push back. The final panel on the Design & Innovation stage will be dedicated to the next generation of consumers, with Haleon, Boundless Brand Design and GS1 exploring how to create consumer first packaging that resonates with new audiences.
On the Supply Chain Stage, McKinsey partner Andrea Gandolfi will discuss balancing compliance, performance, and cost-efficiency, while later sessions showcase AI-driven recycling insights. The Supply Chain stage will end with a session on how Amazon Freight are driving sustainable logistics through low-carbon freight solutions.
The Circular Economy Stage will feature The Future of Sustainable Packaging: Presented by Material ConneXion, followed by a panel on DRS. PackUK will host a panel around the topic of ‘An industry view what PackUK and packaging Extended Producer Responsibility have meant to business’. The day closes with a WRAP-led session on the UK’s emerging prefill reusable packaging system.
