El XI ASPACK Congress took place from 7 to 9 November in the Hotel Higuerón in Fuengirola, Málaga. With more than 70 attendees, sustainability, the progress of the new European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste and talent retention were some of the central themes of this eleventh congress of the cardboard packaging sector.
Under the leadership of ASPACK's general secretary, Pablo SerranoThe congress began with the opening by Jose Ramon Benito, who said goodbye as president after completing his 4-year term. During his speech, there was a minute of silence for all those affected by DANA, and he said goodbye as president, welcoming the new president of ASPACK, Josep Maria Berga Ferres, general and commercial director of Alzamora Group.
The ASPACK General Assembly was then held, where the association’s projects over the past year were presented, the association’s accounts and the new President and the new Board of Directors were introduced. To conclude the professional day on Thursday, BOBST and RDM, premium sponsors of the congress, gave technical presentations where they presented the innovations carried out in their companies, and some of their new, more sustainable products.
The professional day on Friday began with a motivating surprise for the attendees, a rhythmic batucada workshop, where all attendees were able to participate with the percussion of different musical instruments.
mike turner, director of ECMA, presented updates on the new European Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR). In addition, it also presented the new features of the new European Deforestation Regulation, which is created in order to minimize the risk that products circulating in the European market come from chains that participate in deforestation and forest degradation.
The morning round table was composed of Mauricio García de Quevedo, general director of FIAB, Lucia Jimenez, member of the sustainability department of STANPA, and Ana Medina, from the technical department of FARMAINDUSTRY. The panel was moderated by Pablo Serrano, general secretary of ASPACK. “The cardboard packaging sector from the customers’ perspective” was the title of the round table, where participants were able to talk about the future of the sector in which they work, and their perception of using cardboard packaging for their products as opposed to other materials.
On the other hand, during the morning there were also technical presentations by some of the sponsors: Storaenso, Heidelberg, CAÑAPACK and Metsä Board. Two success stories from ASPACK partners were also presented: Saica Group and MM Group.
Pilar Arrayás, director of Circular Cardboard, explained during his presentation how the entity provides industrial packagers with an efficient Collective System of Extended Producer Responsibility (SCRAP) that is respectful of recycling markets.
Francisco Xavier Mena, professor of economics, gave a presentation on the economic outlook for the sector for 2025, where he provided an overview of the current economic situation and outlined the challenges we face as a sector.
After lunch, there was time for a business roundtable session where packaging manufacturers and suppliers were put in touch in five-minute talks so they could get to know each other and discuss possible collaborations.
The day of conferences ended with the intervention of Manuel Romero, CEO of the Happiness Department. During his speech, attendees were able to work in teams where they shared possible initiatives to have happy employees in different factors, to conclude with different solutions.
The Congress closed with a familiarization dinner at the Picasso Museum in Malaga. On Saturday there was a social activity sponsored by Heidelberg, a visit to the Antigua Casa de la Guardia winery, and a Masterchef competition among the vineyards.
