Spotlighting PPWR, innovation and AI at Sustainable Packaging Summit 2026

The Sustainable Packaging Summit is returning to the Jaarbeurs Event & Exhibition Centre, Utrecht, on 10 – 12 November 2026 – complete with another jam-packed agenda covering all things sustainable packaging.

The Summit is back with a unique itinerary of high-level panels, keynotes, and breakout sessions. Each day of the event will foreground a thematic focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with sustainability for packaging.

The first day will take stock of the strategic landscape and business mobilization; the second day will explore roadmaps for transformation in packaging materials; and the third will consider the opportunities on the innovation horizon.

What’s on stage

On the plenary stage, the Summit will open with a fireside chat with Unilever’s former CEO Paul Polman, who will also join Michelle Gibbons of the European Brands Association (AIM) for a discussion on strategic leadership.

As ever, various major brand owners will be in attendance, including PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Bel Group.

Also among this year’s unmissable lineup is a panel of representatives from the European Commission, joining EUROPEN’s Francesca Stevens in an open discussion around the next steps for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

So, too, will the main stage host a dedicated discussion on the role of AI in handling post-consumer waste – and the list goes on, with back-to-back conversations on the current packaging landscape scheduled throughout the Summit.

Topics with a narrower focus will be explored through workshops and briefings in breakout sessions. These will include a two-year reflection on the PPWR’s progress with Tom Pollock from GreenBlue, a conversation around the HolyGrail intelligent sorting initiative, and a deeper dive into innovation and regulation in South America with the Brazilian Packaging Association (ABRE).

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks – watch this space!

Sustainability Awards

Join us on 11 November for an awards ceremony to commemorate the winners of this year’s Sustainability Awards! One winner will be selected from each of the new-and-improved categories making their debut at this year’s Summit, and each will take home a coveted crystal trophy.

The big event will be followed up by a celebration, where attendees can make new connections and let loose – complete with food, drink and a live band for your entertainment.

The following day, all Sustainability Awards finalists will feature in a dedicated Q&A to share the stories behind their products and answer audience questions in real time.

This year’s cohort hail from a range of geographical regions, from Europe and North America to Asia and South America. Don’t miss this valuable insight into the innovative developments leading the charge into a more sustainable future for the packaging industry.

Networking opportunities

The Summit will also offer scheduled networking activities, including lunches, themed huddles, and an exclusive VIP networking session with Paul Polman and other business leaders.

Attendees will also have time to forge new connections on the show floor – both through our wide range of high-quality exhibitors and a daily series of emerging technology presentations providing bite-sized insights into the directions this industry is moving.

With 49 confirmed exhibitors and counting, don’t be afraid to throw your own hat into the ring: follow this link to sign up as an exhibitor or sponsor, or for opportunities dedicated to start-ups and research projects.

Click here to purchase a ticket* to the Sustainable Packaging Summit, or visit the website to learn more about the event.

*Packaging Suppliers Global readers can receive a 15% discount on registration by using the code GLOBAL26 when booking.