Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 is set to feature a stellar line-up of industry leaders, including representatives from WRAP, LARAC, Defra, OPRL, Reckitt, Bakkavor, LUSH, Kellanova, Diageo, Google, McKinsey & Company, IBM, MTC, and Make UK.
Packaging Innovations & Empack, the only annual event in the UK that drives business and innovation across the complete packaging journey, is thrilled to confirm its highly anticipated speaker line-up for the 2025 event on 12 & 13 February at the NEC in Birmingham.
The two-day flagship event, which looks set to welcome more than 450 exhibitors and over 7,000 attendees, will feature an outstanding roster of speakers across three key stages: Circular Economy, Innovation & Design, and Manufacturing & Supply Chain. The carefully curated and highly informative educational programme, comprising more than 70 of the brightest and best minds from across the packaging supply chain, will provide valuable 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, Managing Director 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” on Day 1 at 10:30 AM. This session will delve into the evolving role of labels in extended producer responsibility, setting the tone for two days of thought leadership. There will be a special focus on upcoming regulations over the course of the two days on the Circular Economy stage. At 11:15 AM -12:15 PM, Sebastian Munden, Chair of WRAP will host a discussion with representatives from the four nation governments to share their perspectives 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; Emma Bourne, Director of Resources and Waste, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Rhodri Asby, Deputy Director for Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy, Welsh Government; and Shane Doris, Director of the Environmental Resources Policy Division, Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland.
At 12:30 PM, Cathy Cook, Chair of LARAC, will moderate a session titled “Local Authorities Leading the Shift,” highlighting successful circular economy initiatives and the pivotal role of local authorities in driving sustainable practices. This will be followed by Future Trailblazers at 1:45 PM, celebrating emerging talent in the packaging industry and showcasing innovative contributions from new professionals. Maria Vastag from Smithers will then present “The Future of Sustainable Packaging” at 3:00 PM, offering insights into upcoming trends and technologies shaping sustainable packaging solutions before the renowned “The Big Debate: This house believes reuse represents the future of packaging”, expertly stewarded by the Foodservice Packaging Association’s Martin Kersh wraps things up.
Day 2 will see more discussions around the latest regulations affecting the packaging industry. Monica Battistella from Taghleef Industries will discuss how to achieve circular packaging in compliance with PPWR and the importance of collaboration. DEFRA returns from 11.15 AM – 12.00 PM with speakers representing local government, membership bodies, retailers, compliance schemes, and packaging manufacturers discussing their aspirations for pEPR, furthering the theme of collaboration being key to EPR success. There will be a discussion on refill and reuse models in UK retail, led by Lowelle Bryan from WRAP, Catherine Conway from GoUnpackaged, and Laura Fernandez from Ocado Retail, starting at 12:15 PM. Among other standout sessions is “Industry Insights: The Necessary Evolution of Sustainable Packaging in the Beauty Industry” at 1:30 PM, featuring Victoria Brownlie of the British Beauty Council, Ruth Andrade from LUSH, and Ben Grace from SBTRCT Skincare, discussing innovations in sustainable and reusable beauty packaging.
The Innovation & Design stage at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 features a series of sessions focusing on sustainable packaging and technological advancements. On Day 1, 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”, moderated by Tim Sykes, Brand Director at Packaging Europe, will explore the potential and limitations of fibre-based packaging with panellists from Reckitt, Confederation of Paper Industries, and one.five.
Day 2 highlights include an “Innovation Spotlight” moderated by Stefan Casey, Head of Ecosystems, IoTT & Sharpend, on smart packaging technologies; Martin Shaw of Elopak and Michael Lyttle, the Managing Director of Mulrines, will present together on the importance of prioritising sustainability when it comes to your packaging, but also the importance of ensuring your product stands out on shelves at 11.45 AM. Other notable highlights include Sun Branding’s “Design for Good” session on creating truly inclusive, impactful, and accessible brand packaging (1:30 PM) and the Packaging Start-Up Awards 2025 hosted by ThePackHub and Ocado Retail at 2:15 PM.
The Manufacturing & Supply Chain stage opens on Day 1 with Josephine Coombe, Chief Commercial Officer of Nulogy, joined by a panel of guests to explore how to optimise equipment effectiveness and overcome downtime for contract packers. Following this discussion, Verity Davidge, Director of Policy at Make UK, will present “Securing the Future of Packaging: Why UK Manufacturers Need a Coherent Industrial Strategy Now” from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. In this session, she will address the pressing need for a clear, long-term industrial strategy to enhance the competitiveness of UK packaging manufacturers. From 12:15 PM, the “Nourishing Packaging Talent” session will introduce emerging professionals in the manufacturing sector, highlighting Sheffield Hallam University’s unique undergraduate degree dedicated to the packaging industry and its dedication to bridging the skills gap for manufacturers.
Elsewhere, 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. Finally, 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 2, from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM, will be moderated by Neil Farmer. Panellists include Joe Muscat, Environmental Stewardship and Innovation Senior Director at Haleon; Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at MTC; Edward Falck, Brand Partner Specialist – Sustainability at IBM Consulting; and Emmanuel Ewah, Innovation Lead at Innovate UK.
The BCMPA’s Emma Verkaik will be joined by PHL Group and Arrowtown Drinks representatives to understand how outsourced fulfilment drives business growth. From 1:30 -2.30PM, 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 also 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.
Secure your complimentary visitor pass now and gain exclusive access to cutting-edge insights, industry-leading speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to stay ahead of the latest trends and innovations in the packaging industry. Register today!
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