PACKAGING INNOVATION & EMPACK
year one, that creates a lot of challenge. We are working to figure out how to amend the legislation to make sure that we can create as much stability as possible for producers in future years. We have heard the calls from industry loud and clear. It is absolutely our intent to make sure that we are providing multiple years in advance visibility as to what is to come. None of us like surprises. Local authorities don’t want surprises, producers don’t want surprises. We also have to make sure that we are operating in line with the law.” Paul East, Head of Packaging Recycling &
Design at Recoup, highlighted the practical side of recyclability, showing how brands and manufacturers can design plastic packaging that is truly recyclable in the real world. “We do trials and tests on members’ packaging, taking them through a materials recycling facility to see what actually happens,” he said, emphasising that “Our guidelines show exactly what changes you can make to make your packaging more recyclable.” Alison Bramfitt, Nestlé’s Head of Packaging UK & Ireland, stressed the strategic approach needed across the supply chain: “Designing for recycling isn’t just about the material, it’s about understanding the system, the capacity, and consumer behaviour in every market we operate in,” adding that “We must take our suppliers on the journey with us, ensuring innovations meet our requirements and are available when we need them.” Together, their insights underscored that achieving meaningful recyclability requires both practical testing and coordinated action across the industry. Meanwhile, Prevented Ocean Plastic™ launched the first-ever polypropylene (PP) recycled to the European food-safe standard. PP, found in cups, bottles, caps, and films, is the second most common plastic polluting oceans, yet virtually none is recycled. Developed with global partners, this breakthrough allows PP to be recycled at scale into high-quality, food-safe packaging, and is expected to prevent 500 million cups from entering the ocean in its first year. “The team at Prevented Ocean Plastic is so proud that after many years of work, we’ve been able to use our franchise model, go through audited collection, and bring to the market mechanically recycled, food-safe RPP to the European standard. To date, 80 million tonnes of polypropylene are produced annually, and by most estimates, less than 1% is recycled. Between now and a year from now, we’re expecting hundreds if not thousands of products to be made for the first time ever from mechanically recycled, food-safe RPP, allowing consumers to make a better choice and really do something special,” said Raffi Schier, Founder of Prevented Ocean Plastic™. Castle Colour showcased its plastic-free,
multi-purpose barrier board, designed to protect a wide range of products while helping brands reduce costs and improve recyclability. Paul Densley, Managing Director, said: “We’re in a huge
innovation stage at the moment, which is really exciting. We’re doing lots of embellishment and really funky creative designs, but the biggest thing we’re pushing is FibreGuard, our own devised barrier solution for fibre-based packaging to remove laminate and reduce EPR costs. It takes plastic out of packaging while providing a barrier for grease, soap, not just food, but all sorts of applications. After years of testing, we’re confident taking it to market, and we already have customers in cosmetics and food successfully reducing costs through plastic reduction. Cost is king, sustainability has to stack up commercially.” The Future Trailblazers 2026 winners were announced during another packed afternoon session, celebrating the next generation of packaging professionals driving innovation,
Packaging, described the event as, “the best show I’ve attended in a long time, a fantastic location and perfectly organised. “The footfall has been excellent, with high-
quality visitors throughout. We’ve met everyone we hoped to see, and then some. Really looking forward to day two!” Sheard Packaging, the show’s Official Innovation Partner, was showcasing its expertise through its 40-foot Mobile Innovation Centre (MiC). At the brand-new Discovery Theatre,
innovators explored how materials and design can reshape sustainability in packaging. Craig Sterling, co-founder of MarinaTex, showcased the company’s natural polymer solutions aimed at replacing problematic single-use plastics. He told the audience that 97% of these plastics are never recycled, generating more waste annually than the total weight of all people on the planet. “We think there’s something we can
do about it. So what we’ve done is we’ve developed all natural solutions using natural biopolymers that already exist in nature. Nature can make things that are waterproof. Nature can make things that are resilient. And then when it goes back to the environment, the environment then can now be collected and it’s in a fully circular system. We believe that the biggest problem is it’s a systems challenge and not just about the materials; it’s a systems challenge.” MarinaTex’s fully circular, biodegradable
alternatives mimic nature’s own solutions, waterproof, resilient, and safe to return to the environment, tackling systemic plastic waste while maintaining performance and functionality. Meanwhile, Lena Yipp of Acentrixia
demonstrated how reusable insulated takeaway bags can elevate the food delivery experience by combining quality, sustainability, and brand visibility. “The bag
sustainability, design excellence, and operational impact across the supply chain. In partnership with IOM3, the programme recognised 26 finalists selected from 78 nominees, with seven standout winners, Isobel Duignan (Nestlé), Yaseed Chaumoo (GreyParrot AI), Dhruvi Thakkar (Sleeve Office Ltd), Jayne Cunningham (New England Seafood), Jess Morgan Butler (Carlton Packaging), Jordan Scott (James Cropper), and Olivia Tomlinson (Nestlé), and nine highly commended professionals. Jordan Scott said: “In today’s market,
collaboration is key to success, and within this role, I have been given the freedom to explore some fantastic and powerful opportunities, allowing us to effectively communicate our world-class capabilities and creativity. Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of playing a small role in many exciting projects and partnerships. It never ceases to amaze me how far our product truly reaches and what possibilities this opens for us.” David Hainsworth, Director of Sheard
is something that everyone touches, everyone carries, and almost forgets immediately. It becomes invisible by design. When something becomes invisible, we stop questioning it,” she explained. Highlighting the power of thoughtful design, she added: “Reuse feels best when it’s effortless. When something is useful enough to keep, reuse happens naturally. Packaging stops being waste. It has become something useful that you interact with every day.” Phil Walker, Technical Director at IPS, the UK’s
largest co-packer and part of the Culina Group, hailed the opening day as a resounding success. “We’ve been warmly welcomed by the show organisers and the BCMPA, and the day has been incredibly busy, with high footfall and engaging conversations. Everything we work hard to be good at, quality, flexibility, operational excellence, and technical compliance, resonated strongly with the brands that chose to speak with us. It’s rewarding to see our values and capabilities align so clearly with visiting brands, and we’re very impressed with our debut at the event.”
FEBRUARY 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 21
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