Key leaders from brands such as Unilever, Yves Rocher, LVMH, Colgate-Palmolive, Reckitt, Kering, FFS and Umvin will come together to share their expertise and propose solutions to the packaging sector's major challenges, from sustainability and innovation to recyclability and AI.
Easyfairs, organizer of Paris Packaging Week, has announced the program for the January 2025 event. Over two days, professionals from the beauty, luxury, premium beverage and aerosol packaging sectors will have the opportunity to discover exclusive insights and cutting-edge innovations. Conferences will be spread over four main areas: the Circular Economy Stage, the Future Innovation Forum, the Pentawards Festival Stage and the Global Aerosol & Dispensing Summit, each addressing the major issues facing the sector.
Circular Economy Stage: meeting the challenges of sustainability and regulation
The Circular Economy Stage, sponsored by Dow, will explore the environmental and regulatory challenges facing the packaging sector. Two speakers will present opposing views on the future of plastics: one defending the "deplasticization" of industries, the other emphasizing the indispensable role and sustainable potential of plastics. Also on the agenda: a debate on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and a presentation by the Comité Économie Circulaire (CEC) on its roadmap to promote reuse in the beverage sector and the circular economy. Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, Kering Beauty, Europen, Febea and Citeo will share their views on recyclability, regulation and innovation, providing a comprehensive overview of the sector.
Alexandra Ferré, Director of Impact and CSR at Yves Rocher, who will be taking part in the round table discussion "At the crossroads: heritage, industrialization and the future of responsible cosmetics packaging", comments: "Today, the very concept of packaging - its utility, its role in relation to the product, its place in brand strategy and its various impacts - is at a crossroads. Battling with its heritage, sailing towards modernity, its path will necessarily follow that of the ecological imperative. This round table will be an opportunity to explore these different paths, in particular that of collective transformation, where packaging reconciles creativity, sustainability and circularity".
Future Innovation Forum: the future of packaging technologies
The Future Innovation Forum will highlight the technologies and materials of the future. Highlights include a debate on the power of color with Merci Handy's Louis Marty, followed by a talk by Dr. Gordon Pleyers on the impact of visual complexity on consumer perception. This conference room will also focus on AI and its potential to revolutionize packaging, with industry experts and up-and-coming talents. The Future Leaders 2025 panel will feature ten young innovators sharing their groundbreaking ideas for the future of packaging.
Pentawards Festival Stage: redefining packaging design
The Pentawards Festival Stage, organized by the global Pentawards competition, will focus on the design, branding and consumer trends of the year ahead. Inspiring talks with speakers such as Kevin Marshall, Senior Director of Design at Microsoft, on inclusive design, and discussions on sustainable design innovations from Haleon and Coca-Cola. Other highlights will include Diageo's low-carbon design, Nestlé's multi-sensory experiences, and the branding strategies of Johnnie Walker and Carrefour.
Global Aerosol & Dispensing Summit: innovating for sustainability and performance
The Global Aerosol & Dispensing Summit, in partnership with the European Aerosol Federation (FEA), will address issues of sustainability and innovation in the aerosol sector. On the agenda: sessions on carbon-negative DME from non-recyclable plastics, the use of CO2 as a sustainable propellant, and developments in the European Commission's sustainability policies. Leaders such as Henkel, Tata Steel and Suez will share their advances in environmental performance and responsibility.
"This year, we've enriched the program by focusing on topics that are both essential and topical. We look forward to the discussions and to offering a global vision of the future of packaging", says Christelle Anya, Content and Community Manager, Paris Packaging Week.
Paris Packaging Week will also feature four major shows: ADF for aerosols, PCD for beauty, PLD for premium beverages, and Packaging Première for luxury goods. With over 840 exhibitors and many more speakers to be announced, this will be the biggest edition of Paris Packaging Week to date.
