Packaging Industry Conference 2026

PPWR, ROP, DRS – current status and implementation timelines Regulatory consequences for packaging producers and users Responsibilities, costs, and risks across the value chain

Innovative packaging materials and future technology development trends Labelling, traceability, and digital solutions for packaging Technological support for the circular economy (CE), ESG, and reporting requirements

Packaging as a key element of business and market strategy Responsible environmental communication and combating greenwashing

The presentation will outline the key trends and challenges shaping the packaging industry and demonstrate how speculative design supports decision-making in times of dynamic change. It will explore regulatory, technological, and market factors, as well as their impact on packaging design. Participants will gain insight into the related opportunities and risks that drive the sector’s long-term transformation.

The presentation outlines the actions required to prepare for packaging label updates in light of the upcoming changes introduced by the PPWR. It will cover new legal requirements, implementation timelines, and practical guidelines for adapting graphic designs. Participants will also be introduced to the latest labeling proposal developed by the JRC, as well as potential challenges related to ensuring compliance with the new regulations.

The presentation showcases packaging solutions from the company’s portfolio – both standard and barrier options – designed for the simplest form of recycling, namely mechanical recycling. These solutions enable the production of high-quality recyclate and support its potential applications in line with the principles of the Circular Economy.

The presentation will showcase innovative, recyclable barrier dispersion coatings for paper packaging with high resistance to grease, water vapor, and oxygen. It will also cover a new primer that enables the deinking of printed plastic substrates, allowing for effective removal of graphics during the recycling process. In addition, proofing on the final substrate will be presented as a tool for reducing environmental impact and supporting brand owners in making informed design decisions.

The presentation focuses on the role of polyurethane (PU) inks and Ultra Low Monomer (ULM) laminating adhesives in packaging design, taking into account recycling requirements as well as the safety of ULM adhesives for both operators and the final product due to their low monomer content. It will also address current market changes, including the limited availability of the NC component, and their implications for the selection of ink and adhesive systems in flexible packaging.

The presentation will focus on how a modern data‑driven approach can improve operational performance in manufacturing. It will show how analysing historical production behaviour helps identify improvement opportunities and redefine best practices. Finally, it will explain how implementing these optimised practices supports more efficient, consistent and collaborative daily operations.

The presentation focuses on the current legal requirements governing the use of recyclates in food contact packaging, taking into account safety-related material restrictions and proposed approaches to addressing these challenges. It will cover key aspects related to material properties, processing technologies, and regulatory requirements, as well as the development of technological solutions enabling an increased share of recyclates in packaging applications.

The presentation will focus on the application of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology, involving the vacuum deposition of metals and their oxides onto packaging films. It will discuss the possibilities of precisely tailoring barrier properties (OTR) as well as achieving coatings with biocidal properties, particularly in the context of packaging requiring controlled gas exchange and enhanced product protection.

The presentation focuses on innovations in paper packaging for the food and cosmetics industries developed by POL-ZDOB, taking into account the impact of raw material price volatility, market trends, and regulatory requirements, including solutions that support the circular economy and improve recyclability performance. It will present the pathway for packaging modifications as well as a case study carried out within the CORNET BeFORE project.

Masterpress is introducing to the market a single-layer, non-laminated PE-EVOH stand-up pouch for liquid soap, developed within the BeFORE project. Unlike traditional multi-material laminates, the new packaging is fully monomaterial and can be properly sorted and recycled within existing PE waste streams.

Why will data and the supply chain determine the future? How can companies prepare for the challenge of value chain mapping? These are questions everyone is facing today. A short yet impactful supply chain mapping strategy that supports packaging compliance with upcoming regulations is the first step toward responsible and resilient operations.

We will present the practical application of AI-based vision systems in packaging production and quality control processes. We will demonstrate how advanced image and data analysis in real time can improve repeatability and quality, reduce material waste, and support compliance. We will present implementation examples demonstrating how AI can integrate production and quality control data, creating a digital decision-making environment for packaging manufacturers and food companies.

Packaging innovation in Europe is strong but often fragmented across regions, making it difficult for companies to find the right partners beyond their own ecosystem. This presentation shows how the S3 Partnership Food Packaging (S3FP) promotes interregional collaboration and targeted matchmaking, connecting companies to complementary partners, expertise, and opportunities across Europe.

The talk outlines how the EIC Pathfinder framework drives high‑risk innovation in sustainable packaging, illustrated by the BIO4PAK project. It focuses on microbial polymers as bio‑based, biodegradable materials and on microbiology as the main technological engine. It highlights how these polymers can be functionalised to deliver both structural performance and controlled bioactivity. It also considers bacteriophages as precise food‑safety tools, noting that despite FDA approval, they remain largely unused in Europe. This gap between innovation and regulation raises questions about what must change for microbiology‑driven packaging to reach industrial scale.

Watttron’s digital heating and sealing  technology enables precise, pixel‑level temperature control during the packaging process, dramatically improving material efficiency and seal quality. By heating only where it’s needed, it allows companies to reduce plastic usage, cut energy consumption, and switch more easily to sustainable mono‑materials. This level of precision is helping to revolutionize packaging by making it smarter, greener, and more adaptive to modern sustainability demands.

You'll learn how PPWR is truly transforming the design of solid board packaging and how to translate legal requirements into practical, market-oriented implementations. We won't just be discussing regulations. We'll focus on what exactly PPWR means for manufacturers, what the design implications are, how finishing technology is evolving, and how to combine legal compliance with shelf appeal.

This lecture focuses on the production of PE packaging with the addition of recycled materials for various industries. The process of selecting recipes and production parameters that determine process stability and film quality will be presented. Examples of industrial implementations of sustainable packaging will be presented, along with their often complex path to success. The specifics of using materials with regranulates will also be discussed, from the supply chain, through process and quality control, to marketing value.

A presentation with live demonstrations and commentary is planned. Participants will then participate in a workshop during which they will see real-world examples of material-based solutions in the market: lightweight packaging and labeling solutions supporting the Reduce strategy, recycled packaging with compatible labels within Recycle, and solutions facilitating packaging reuse in the spirit of Reuse. This segment will allow for the translation of regulations and design theory into concrete, tangible solutions that can be implemented in business practice.

This presentation will introduce the concept of a digital Health Passport for a packaging machine as an approach to continuously monitoring its health, efficiency, and key operating parameters. The presentation will demonstrate how analyzing OEE, downtime, and deviations from the benchmark allows for identifying areas for optimization and implementing predictive actions to minimize the risk of failure. The benefits of using data to improve production planning and increase line operational stability will be demonstrated. The presentation will also highlight the tangible business impact of such actions–reduced unplanned downtime, lower maintenance costs, and more predictable resource utilization.

We'll explore packaging as a strategic product element, acting as a "silent salesperson," and ultimately as an investment in the brand's future. We'll demonstrate how design influences purchasing decisions, how packaging must respond to generational differences, and how customers are willing to pay extra for products perceived as eco-friendly. The presenter will highlight innovations and technologies that can encourage purchases.

The author will discuss laboratory testing, compliance documentation, and the obligations of manufacturers and importers. Participants will learn the importance of chemical packaging control in the context of consumer safety and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2025/40. This part of the program will complement the qualitative and legal perspectives with a crucial practical aspect.

Overview of the current landscape and key trends in the packaging industry across the Central European region / V4 countries, against the backdrop of the war in Iran, with particular regard to the rising costs of raw materials (especially plastics), energy, and associated logistics services.

The innovative use of FPD in inline radioscopy of parcels/packages, distinguishing it from the linear and TDI architectures currently dominant in the market. This lecture will demonstrate the latest development in X-ray systems for parcel and packaging inspection – the use of FPD detectors instead of traditional TDI solutions. The technological differences, the impact on imaging quality, application flexibility, and benefits for manufacturers and quality control departments will be discussed. The presentation will focus on the practical aspects of implementing X-ray technology in the food and packaging industries.

For over 45 years, FexLink has been offering proprietary components for the construction of conveyor systems that connect machines and equipment in factories around the world. Over this time, the FlexLink brand has become synonymous with the word "conveyor." 

But FlexLink also (or above all) offers a comprehensive range of turnkey solutions – from concept to implementation of a wide range of production process automation solutions, along with full service support.