Sustainability in Packaging Europe returned to Barcelona from October 21-23, 2025, for the tenth time. The 2025 event featured more than 650 packaging industry professionals and over 100 industry expert speakers, who offered a comprehensive perspective on all the key topics impacting packaging sustainability and the circular economy.
The professionals discussed their challenges and successes in achieving circularity in packaging, contributing practical examples to boost the sector. Representatives from across the global supply chain gathered at the event, from brand owners and packaging manufacturers to regulators, designers, waste and recycling managers, and packaging service providers.
The different sessions They discussed trends in packaging sustainability and consumer trends, regulation (PPWR, EPR), waste prevention, reuse and refill, eco-design, recycling, biodiversity and decarbonization through packaging sustainability, bio-based plastics, post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), innovations in materials, recyclables and compostables, digitalization, AI solutions, e-commerce packaging and transportation.
Some of the featured speakers were: Anne Guillou (L'Oréal) and Jean-Marc Fontaine (Spice, Quantis-BCG), who spoke about reuse and refills; Hannah Drew (Aldi), Hans Van Bochove (Heineken), Michael Hahl (Bosch) and Annica Eldh (H&M), who participated in a round table on how to promote sustainable packaging from major brands and retailers, moderated by Marco Macoratti (Mondi); Marta Mendonca (Porto Protocol), who spoke about the Unpacking Wine guide to minimize the environmental impact of wine packaging, with real examples; Alessandro d'Agostino (Mondi) and Ferran Vaqué (Proquimia), who explained the example of Esselt Eco's sustainable packaging; Dr. Afsaneh Nabifar (BASF), Roger Wright (Biffa) and Elodie Bugnicourt (Graphic Packaging International), who spoke about compostable packaging in a panel moderated by Claudia Ames (Ceres Waste); Peter Woodwin (The Cup Collective), Yaseed Chaumoo (Greyparrot), Alexander Reitz (PreZero), Mark Roberts (Amcor) and Dr. Daniel Schwaab (Tomra), who discussed disruptive technologies in the packaging industry, in a panel moderated by Andy Grant (Eunomia)…
Market trends
Adam Page, Vice President Reports Smithers, offered an interesting insight into the outlook for the packaging sector during Sustainability in Packaging Europe.
Some of the ideas he put forward were:
Packaging is a multi-billion dollar and highly resilient market.
Innovation, with a strong focus on convenience, is driving the market.
Ultra-fast delivery is becoming the new normal, and retailers are investing in logistics to speed it up.
Consumers want intact products, protected in a secure environment and in perfectly sized packaging.
Regulations such as the PPWR are impacting the sector, as is already being seen in multipack packaging (examples: replacing plastic with cardboard or glue dots).
Brands are switching to sustainable packaging materials, such as mycelium and molded pulp for protective packaging, stretch wrap made from wood fibers, and shrink wrap made from compostable bioplastic polymers.
Convenience, regulations, and changes in the supply chain are forcing brands to rethink sustainable packaging, both in terms of secondary and protective packaging.
Sustainability in Packaging Europe will return to Barcelona from October 6 to 8, 2026.
