Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum

10th - 11th March 2026

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Right-sizing packaging sustainability: Why performance is still king

Plenary
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While compliance can drive investment in packaging sustainability, it’s only part of the equation. Packaging must first fulfil its core functions–protecting products, ensuring safety and enabling distribution–all while managing costs and meeting business goals. Being strategic in sustainability means finding solutions that work within these real-world constraints, not despite them. In this session we’ll discuss:

  • How to tailor solutions to context: Why one-size-fits-all sustainability strategies fail, and how product categories, distribution models, shelf-life requirements, and consumption patterns demand different packaging approaches
  • Decision-making frameworks that balance trade-offs: What assessment tools and criteria leading companies use to evaluate packaging options, to find solutions that optimize across multiple functions
  • Consumer acceptance: Which solutions really address behavioural friction, for example around returning packaging, sorting materials, accepting appearance changes, or paying premiums
Plenary

What to expect from this type of session...

Main stage sessions, but not as you know them. Because we’re off-the-record, leading experts can speak candidly about their experience with what works, and what doesn’t. At least half the session is dedicated to audience insights and questions to ensure we tackle the big issues head on.

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Day 1

Tuesday 10th March 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:20am - 10:05am
Plenary
10:05am - 10:45am
Plenary
10:45am - 11:15am
11:15am - 12:00pm
The flexible problem: Are there really sustainable solutions for flexible packaging? 
LyondellBasell | Mondelēz International | CEFLEX | The Consumer Good Forum
Plenary
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Plenary
12:30pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 2:30pm
2:30pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 4:00pm
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Day 2

Wednesday 11th March 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
9:00am - 9:40am
Plenary
9:40am - 10:30am
The circular conundrum: Can regulation drive better practices? 
Dow | United Nations Environment Programme | Tomra
Plenary
10:30am - 11:00am
11:00am - 12:00pm
Reuse at retail scale: Cross-border lessons for interoperable reuse systems 
TerraCycle | Brambles | Fost Plus | Foodstuffs New Zealand | New European Reuse Alliance
Plenary
12:00pm - 12:40pm
Waste pollution and climate action: Innovation across net zero and zero waste 
Vioneo | Merck Life Science | Asahi Europe & International
Plenary
12:40pm - 1:40pm
1:40pm - 3:10pm