Packaging Solutions
The recent Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 welcomed 7424 visitors and hosted more than 450 exhibitors. With a packed conference agenda featuring 96 speakers across 32 sessions, attendees gained valuable insights into emerging trends, regulatory developments, and innovative solutions.
A key moment of the event 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 high profile 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. She emphasised that the UK is undergoing a major system change, and industry involvement will be key to ensuring fair and effective delivery.
Miguel Arevalo, Google's packaging innovation lead, gave the keynote at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025. He said, ‘It is great to be here, and I appreciate the interest in what we are doing at Google and the opportunity to engage with the European space. 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 at this year's event. Stefan Casey, head of ecosystem at SharpEnd/io.tt, led a future focused panel that explored the potential of digital packaging solutions, predicting a shift in how AI and connected packaging will transform consumer engagement.
Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, managing director at RNIB Enterprises, brought an important perspective to the conversation, highlighting how smart packaging can create more inclusive experiences for visually impaired consumers.
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, helps reduce plastic waste while promoting cost effective, sustainable shopping.
The 2025 Packaging Startup Awards recognised groundbreaking advancements in sustainability, with winners including Blue Ocean Closures (alternative materials), PulpaTronics (connected packaging), GreenEvo (online innovation), Cauli (refill and reuse), and AeroFlexx (waste reduction). PulpaTronics was also awarded packaging start up of the year.
James Montero-MacColl, senior marketing manager at Easyfairs, commented: ‘We wanted to make this an unmissable event, and we have 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.’
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