Pack4Food PPWR Action Day

Pack4Food warmly invites you to its first PPWR Action Day on 28 January 2027: a highly interactive event designed to help your company better understand how to prepare for PPWR implementation, while leaving with relevant contacts, practical insights and new collaboration opportunities.

During the day, you can expect:

• The latest updates and practical insights on PPWR implementation;
• Short expert talks on key business implications;
• Real-life company experiences and lessons learned;
• An interactive Q&A where you are invited to bring your own packaging and discuss your specific questions with experts and peers;
• Structured matchmaking, connecting food companies, packaging suppliers, technology providers, and other relevant partners to help tackle your PPWR challenges.

Program

09:00–09:30 | Registration, coffee & networking

A relaxed start to the day and a first networking opportunity.

09:30–09:40 | Welcome

Why this event, why now, and what can you expect from the day?

09:40–10:10 | Keynote | From PPWR to Business Reality

Speaker: To be announced

The keynote will set the scene for the day and translate the European regulatory framework into the practical questions companies need to address.

10:10–10:30 | Coffee & networking

10:30–11:10 | Expert talks

Two short, practical expert perspectives on key PPWR challenges.

• 2030 Recyclability Starts Now | Elke Gijsbrechts – Fost Plus

What will recyclability under the PPWR mean for your packaging? Fost Plus will take a closer look at the upcoming methodology and its practical impact, including how packaging choices can already affect EPR fees today. The session will also introduce the No Regrets Playbook to help companies start preparing for 2030.

• How GS1 Standards Unlock Compliance – What Companies Need to Start Doing Today | Kai-Wing So – GS1

As sustainability, compliance and reporting requirements continue to grow, companies increasingly depend on accurate and interoperable data. Whether supporting PPWR compliance, enabling future Digital Product Passports (DPPs), or meeting other regulatory and business requirements, data must be collected, managed and shared efficiently across the value chain. This session explores how GS1 standards can help organizations build a scalable foundation for compliance, reduce complexity, and take practical steps today to prepare for tomorrow's requirements.

11:10–12:10 | Company cases

PPWR in practice: lessons from the field

Three companies share their own experiences of preparing for and implementing PPWR-related requirements, including challenges, decisions, practical solutions and lessons learned.

• PFAS: Even Forever Comes to an End – a PPWR case study | Dr. Pieter Cools – Amcor Flexibles

We will take you along to the first stop of the PPWR rollercoaster: the ban on PFAS in packaging as of 12 August 2026. First, a quick reminder of what PFAS actually is again and why it ended up in the eye of the PPWR storm. We will then look together at the impact on the packaging world and how Amcor has dealt with this.

• PPWR: A Producer’s Perspective | Maarten Baele – Vandemoortele

How did a food producing company active throughout Europe, selling both private label and branded products, for retail, foodservice and industrial applications prepare for PPWR? Which new and existing workflows, responsibilities and resources are put in place to deal with the increased administrative workflow? What are the struggles and focus points towards 2030?

• PPWR: A Retailer’s Perspective | Evelien De Ridder – Colruyt Group

How does a retailer prepare for PPWR across a broad and diverse packaging portfolio, spanning own-brand products, suppliers and different packaging formats? Which requirements create the biggest challenges, and how are responsibilities, data flows and collaboration with suppliers evolving?

12:10–13:30 | Walking lunch & networking

Take the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss the morning's insights and make new connections.

13:30–14:30 | Interactive problem-solving

Bring your packaging. Bring your questions.

Bring your own packaging, PPWR questions or concrete challenges and discuss them with experts and fellow participants. The panel will respond to questions from the audience and explore practical solution pathways together.

Panel: To be announced

14:30–17:00 | Structured matchmaking

Find the right partners for your PPWR challenges

Turn the insights from the day into concrete connections.

Through structured one-to-one matchmaking, connect with food companies, packaging suppliers, material and technology providers, recycling and waste actors, and other relevant experts who can help you tackle your PPWR challenges.

Meetings can be arranged in advance through the matchmaking platform, with additional opportunities to connect spontaneously during the event.