On day one, Stefan Casey, Innovation Lead at Nestlé, joined the Food & FMCG Future Makers stage to urge the packaging community to wake up to digital inclusivity. Casey commented: “It is not all about attracting Gen Z, in fact I think no demographic should be ignored. They are all opportunities. By pushing boundaries, and avoiding gimmicks, you can break convention, and break rules, in an authentic and credible way. Sometimes it just takes a leap of faith.” 

The Big Debate also made its return to London Packaging Week after previous smash-hit sessions at Packaging Innovations London, taking an honest view of whether the UK population can afford the Government’s packaging reforms. The debate argued people vs the planet, with Martin Kersh, Director at FPA, opening the floor in favour of people: “The packaging taxes and various reforms are adding to household expenditure, estimated to be about £160 per household each year. That’s on top of already rising food, energy, and general living costs. Whilst the packaging reforms are pitched at helping the environment, why are the alternative materials always more expensive for consumers?”

Jane Bevis, Executive Chair at OPRL, stood the ground for the planet, stating: “Climate change is here. The UK lost more homes to house fires in one day during the heatwave than we had since the end of World War II. We’ve been talking about Extended Consumer Responsibility for four years; instead of hot air we need to act.”

Meanwhile, Jude Allen, Chair at IOM3, argued there can’t be a compromise: “We can’t put one problem in a box and shelve it whilst we focus on the other. The problem won’t go away.”

Other headline speakers included representatives from WRAP, DEFRA, CTPA, and XO Consulting. 

Elsewhere, the show floor presented a glittering line-up up of stellar packaging concepts, with The Pentawards and Innovations Showcase galleries providing inspiration to visitors. Whilst the breadth of exhibitors taking part further allowed visitors to find solutions to all their packaging challenges. 

Abbie Randall, Brand Manager at Holy Moly, comments: “The show has been so insightful, and it seems like everyone is here with a purpose. The sustainable focus has been great and having so many quality exhibitors has been brilliant. If one doesn’t quite meet your needs, there will certainly be one just around the corner. Away from the suppliers, the seminar sessions give you time to break away and reflect.”

Nigel Mann, Sales & Marketing Manager at Lil Packaging, notes: “It’s interesting having the four co-located events at London Packaging Week. We’ve been constantly busy, with enquiries from start-ups and big players alike. We’ve had lots of interest in sustainability too, which fits our entire ethos.”

Renan Joel, managing director of Easyfairs’ Packaging Division, concludes: “London Packaging Week has truly created a new home for the packaging community in London. It felt like the right time to re-evaluate our Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging London event, and it’s fantastic to see everyone embrace the new future of packaging in London. The show has been a buzz of interesting conversations on the future of the industry, whilst old and new connections have formed, and visitors have left armed with new contacts to power their packaging in all sectors, from FMCG to the crème de la crème of luxury.