4th International Circular Packaging Conference Co-Organized by FTPO: Successfully Held
At the Faculty of Polymer Technology, our work is strongly focused on sustainable development and the circular economy. With modern knowledge and research, we contribute to the development of materials and solutions that reduce environmental impact and enable longer-lasting use of resources. In this spirit, in 2019 we co-organized the first International Circular Packaging Conference with the Institute for Cellulose and Paper, aiming to connect academia, industry, designers, and brands while fostering partnerships to transform linear packaging supply chains into circular ones.
This year, we successfully held the 4th International Circular Packaging Conference (CPC) at the Rog Center in Ljubljana. The event brought together over 90 participants from 21 countries, attending both onsite and online.
The conference offered top-level presentations and discussions on the future of circular packaging, from design for recycling and reuse systems to sustainable materials and corporate strategies promoting circularity.
The first day focused primarily on industry challenges and solutions, where leading experts and innovators presented current trends and practical examples in circular packaging. Key speakers included:
Fabian Barthel (Vytal Global) – “Everyone loves to Reuse – Until it’s time to Reuse”
Katerina Tsangari (Coca-Cola HBC) – “Creating Value Through Circular Packaging”
Valeria Frigerio (Nestlé Research) – “Inside Packaging Sustainability @Nestlé”
Predrag Ozmo (Ball Corporation) – “Sustainability and Strategy in Aluminium Packaging”
Jonathan Scheck (Interzero) – “The Complex Truth About Recyclable Paper Packaging”
Lars Sandberg (Blue Ocean Closures) – “Next-Generation High-Density Cellulose Fiber”
Daniel Schwendemann (IWK Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing) – “Potential of Paper in Plastics Industry”
…along with numerous other presentations from experts across the packaging value chain.
We concluded the first day with a tour of the laboratories at the Institute for Cellulose and Paper (ICP) and an enjoyable conference dinner in the center of Ljubljana, providing participants the opportunity for networking, exchanging ideas, and discussing the future of circular packaging.
The second day was dedicated to academic and research insights, featuring just under 40 presentations from researchers and institutions across Europe and beyond. Speakers such as Dr. Manica Ulčnik-Krump (Interzero Plastics Innovations), Martin Ocepek (HELIOS RESINS), Deniz Turan Kunter, PhD (Wageningen University & Research), Diego Fort (Cargill), and others presented research and innovations supporting the transition to circular packaging systems.
The main takeaway from the conference is that there is no single winning material or universal approach in circular packaging. Success relies on thoughtful decisions that consider technical, economic, and environmental factors, as well as collaboration among all stakeholders throughout the packaging lifecycle. Events like this aim to promote sustainable packaging development and drive genuine transformation toward a circular future, which is crucial in light of new European regulations, such as the PPWR, and the growing consumer demand for sustainable solutions.
We thank all participants, speakers, and partners for their active engagement, knowledge sharing, and contributions to the rich discussions. The 4th International Circular Packaging Conference was a successful event that further emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders for a sustainable and circular packaging future.