Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA

27th - 28th October 2026

Chicago, USA

About

Innovation for brand value and business resilience

Join key decision makers and experts in the packaging space who are tired of surface-level sustainability talk and industry echo chambers. Expect less jargon and more case studies and practical solutions. 

This year's themes

Material and design choices

A practical look at how packaging can be designed for the full lifecycle, from sourcing to end-of-life. We’ll explore material trade-offs, integration of recycled content, and the small design details that impact recyclability and long-term compliance, while meeting consumer demands.

Packaging as an asset

How packaging decisions across the value chain influence efficiency, brand perception, and customer experience. From labelling to logisticswe’ll explore how aligning systems can improve transparency, reduce waste, and strengthen consumer trust. 

The opportunities in compliance

We’ll assess how the evolving regulatory landscape is reshaping markets, and how companies can stay ahead. From EPR in the US to global trends, we’ll examine the infrastructure, investment and cross-industry collaboration required to support compliance. 

Innovation for business resilience

Innovation in materials, data, technology and operations can deliver real business value. We’ll focus on best practices and pathways to scale solutionsfrom how navigating internal buy-in for innovation, to identifying which emerging tools and solutions are truly fit for purpose. 

What sets this event apart

Off the record

Held under the Chatham House rule to promote candid conversation that drives real progress. The hard questions, uncomfortable truths and reality of mistakes.

No PowerPoint or scripts

No presentations, no jargon, no scripted panels: this is a space for genuine dialogue. All sessions are structured for dynamic discussion and audience participation.

Networking that works

We cap attendance to ensure an intimate forum that brings together the right stakeholders. Every conversation is relevant. Every meeting is valuable. And every connection matters.

Practical, hands-on format

You won’t be sat in a large room listening for two days. There’s a major focus on audience participation, interaction and problem solving. Come prepared with questions, ideas, solutions and be ready to get involved.

Advisory group

Knowledge Partner

Impact Partners

Download our event brochure

Learn more about who attends, our conference style and how to get involved.

Who attends

Everyone in the room contributes a piece to the puzzle of solutions. We create a space for genuine connection, grounded in exchange of expertise.

Learn more about our audience
KraftHeinz
Amcor
TerraCycle
Keurig Dr Pepper
Kenvue
Novolex
McDonald's
The Estée Lauder Companies
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Mondi Group
Ferrero
Amazon

"Very insightful and impactful forum, allowing for good conversations. The topics covered were very relevant, the absence of PowerPoints made discussions very interactive, and my objectives to learn and network were met."

Annebeth de Witte

Packaging Development Director
Thai Union Group

"I was looking to network, have a honest overview of other parts of the industry, and get inspired. I really liked the open format, without slides and lots of time to ask questions, giving the audience the opportunity to contribute to each session."

Monica Ordegno

Global Future of Packaging Strategy Manager
Pepsi Lipton

"It was a great and inspiring experience to hear first-hand how organisations across the value chain and beyond are driving packaging circularity. I liked the topics covered and the intimate setting for discussions, allowing to network across the value chain and with non-market actors"

Keiko Tago

Head Packaging Sustainability
Bayer

"A super interesting and well-rounded set of discussions all around! I do not often want to follow all of the sessions in an event, and it was clearly the case this time."

Llorenç Milà i Canals

Programme Officer
UNEP

"I truly loved every aspect of it. It was completely different to other conferences I have attended with an unprecedented level of interaction and participation. I very much enjoyed both the panel discussions and the roundtables, which were very interactive and informative. Having such a diverse group of attendees with sometimes wildly different viewpoints and agendas, it is with this group of people we must find the plastic packaging and plastic waste solutions of the future."

Jarno Weemers

Senior Application Development Scientist
Synthomer

"Lots of fruitful discussions and so many engaged professionals working to shape a sustainable future for packaging"

Martin Clemesha

Technical Advocacy Lead
Braskem

"I had a great time discussing the impacts of upcoming and developing legislation of plastic and packaging and probably could’ve gone on forever, thanks to the brilliant panellists I had the pleasure to join."

Laura Schacht

Head of Sustainability and External Affairs EECM-Benelux
Suntory Beverage & Food Europe

"I got more out of this event than any other packaging conference I've attended. The format was engaging (great discussion and diversity of opinion), the participants were passionate and articulate and from all corners of industry, including: Policy makers, NGOs, material suppliers, converters, retailers, brands and investors. Made some great connections across the spectrum of packaging. "

Heidi Graham

Packaging Innovation Lead
Opella

"The event attracted a great cross-section of knowledgeable and senior attendees, the venue wasn't too big and there was time to have a good conversations. My objective of putting regulatory challenges in practical perspective was met, taking the temperature of the industry and learning what is keeping key players up at night. "

Julie Vaughan

Counsel
Reed Smith

Secure your place to join the conversation

27th-28th October, 2026

Chicago