Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA

27th - 28th October 2026

Chicago, USA

The right tech for the right material: How to advance a more circular economy for plastics

Plenary
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The Plastic waste is projected to almost triple by 2060 from a 2022 baseline (OECD’s Global Plastics Outlook). There’s clearly a need for increased capacity to deal with existing waste, yet no single technology can address every plastics stream. In order to scale plastics circularity, materials must be matched with the right end-of life solutions, both supply and demand for recycled materials must increase, and increased collaboration is required across the full value chain.

In this panel, we’ll hear from leading recyclers on how complimentary technologies can work together to create scalable circular solutions. Our speakers will assess:

  • Feedstocks and end-use applications: Where and how does advanced recycling complement mechanical recycling?
  • Regulatory clarity: What’s missing to drive investment in recycling technologies and infrastructure?
  • Looking forward: What’s needed to provide brand owners and converters the confidence to incorporate non-mechanical recycled materials in packaging? What innovative solutions are available to help support PCR integration in sensitive applications?
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 0

Monday 26th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Day 1

Tuesday 27th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
8:45am - 8:50am
Welcome words 
Institute of Packaging Professionals
9:10am - 9:50am
EPR compliance infrastructure: What do the rules require and what can the market deliver? 
RecycleMe | The Recycling Partnership | ALDI USA | Unilever
Plenary
9:50am - 10:30am
Plenary
10:30am - 11:00am
11:00am - 11:10am
11:10am - 11:50am
Closing the loop: How to develop viable end markets for secondary materials 
Tetra Pak | Can Manufacturers Institute | Crown Holdings | NAPCOR
Plenary
11:50am - 12:20pm
Plenary
12:20pm - 1:20pm
3:00pm - 3:30pm
3:30pm - 4:15pm
4:15pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Day 2

Wednesday 28th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session theme
Session type
8:45am - 8:55am
8:55am - 9:30am
Circular economy as industrial strategy: How to build stronger value chains and local economies 
Delterra | Martin Brower | Washington State Department of Commerce
Plenary
9:50am - 10:00am
10:00am - 10:30am
10:30am - 11:10am
Reuse at scale: What works, what doesn’t, and pathways forward 
Mastercard | Tomra | Sustainable Packaging Coalition
Plenary
11:10am - 11:50am
Case study
11:50am - 12:30pm
Plenary
12:30pm - 1:30pm
1:30pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 3:20pm
Plenary