The USA-EU joint business workshop on packaging and environment

Thursday 6 June 2024
Le Méridien Boston Cambridge, MA (USA)
9AM - 5PM EST   

 

                          

 

THE PROGRAMME

With 45% of the world’s GDP and around 10% of the world population, the USA and (Western, Central) Europe together constitute a significant acting force in the field of packaging. Both regions share challenges in packaging and environment. Sustainability issues are on the rise, legislation on recycling and eco-responsible package design is being implemented and there is a clear need for the implementation of better ICT solutions to cope with the wide variety of packaging materials. This intense joint business workshop inventarises the trends, shares the highlights and shapes the vision of the industry for the future in the field of packaging and environment in the USA, Europe and worldwide.

On Wednesday 5 June 2024, the USA-EU joint business workshop on pharmaceutical packaging innovation takes place at the same venue.

YOUR CO-MODERATORS

Todd Bukowski (Principal at PTIS, LLC the leading USA packaging and management consultancy)

Michael Nieuwesteeg MSc MEng (Managing Director NVC Packaging Centre and project lead of the NVC PUMA Project, working together to end packaging as an environmental issue worldwide)


PROGRAMME

08.00-09.00 Registration

09.00-09.30 The challenges for society and the USA-EU business community regarding packaging and environment
Presented by co-hosts Todd Bukowski (PTIS Global) and Michael Nieuwesteeg (NVC Packaging Centre)
① The status of the new EU PPWR legislation. What’s new since 1994? Hot topic: making progress through harmonised and efficient enforcement
② Frontend, Collect-Control and Backend: the future of the collection and subsequent material (re)processing of packaging materials in the USA and Europe. The over-all importance of energy use in packaging (re)processing
 
09.30-10.30 Searching alignment in American and European sustainable packaging regulations together: three intros and interactive debate
In-depth intros by Andrew Stephens (USDA), Erik Haverkort (former Member of Parliament specialised in national and EU packaging waste policy areas) and Scott Cassel (Chief Executive Officer/Founder at the Product Stewardship Institute) are followed by an interactive plenary debate, focusing on two urgent themes of today:
① Extended Producer Responsibility EPR: where does it start and where should it end? Which role should the consumer be given?
② Littering and other ways that emptied packs are disposed in an ‘uncontrolled’ manner: how and where should government and industry work together? 

10.30-11.30 How to stay ahead as a business with the upcoming changes in the regulatory and societal USA-EU landscape? The industry and retailer perspective
Intros by Michael Nieuwesteeg (NVC Packaging Centre) and by Giacomo Canali (Barilla Group) followed by a plenary debate, including several major confirmed brand owners in the audience, focusing on three market segments:
① Take-away, on-the-go packaging (for example McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, …)
② Conventional food products in relation to the use of recyclate in packaging (for example Coca-Cola, Unilever, Kraft Heinz, …)
③ Defining the sustainably perfect packaging for premium packaged cosmetics products (for example Chanel, Rituals, Kevin Murphy, …)

11.30-11.45 Short coffee break

11.45-12.30 The future of packaging recycling: facts, figures and fables from Europe
Key presentation by Serra Anker (manager packaging materials and processes at NVC Packaging Centre), sharing the insights from the NVC Report The Future of Packaging Recycling in The Netherlands that was published 14 March 2024.

12.30-13.30 Lunch break
 
13.30-13.50 Packaging materials process innovation – returnable-reusable transport packaging
Highlighting the Gold winner of the packaging innovation contest De Gouden Noot 31st edition: the AI-enabled FIBC by Masterpack Group. Their FIBC technology extends the shelf life from months to years. The innovation consists of a connection 'MA Valve 125' that is sealed into the specially designed airtight inner bag. A wireless sensor is attached to this connection, monitoring oxygen, temperature and humidity continuously, facilitating AI-assisted improvements in supply chain management. 
 
13.50-14.20 Packaging materials process innovation – Biobased plastics
Key presentation by Serra Anker (manager packaging materials and processes at NVC Packaging Centre), sharing the NVC Report Biobased plastics for packaging materials, that was published 14 March 2024, followed by a joint analysis of the new biobased plastic PEF in relation to biobased PET, PE, PLA and PP.

14.20-14.40 Packaging materials process innovation – searching synergetic opportunities between the iconic MIT nearby and the $1 trillion packaging materials industry
We take a helicopter-view on the famous MIT nearby the workshop venue, aiming to identify fields where synergies can be created and/or strengthened. Source of inspiration is the NVC University Chair Packaging Design and Management at Twente University in Europe (since 2006).  

14.40-15.00 Short break

15.00-15.30 The Coding and Identification needed to enable efficient and effective collection of emptied packs and subsequent material reprocessing
Michael Nieuwesteeg (representing the NVC-GS1 EU Thinktank Coding and identification of packaging also on behalf of Jan Merckx, Sustainability Lead at GS1 Netherlands)
 
15.30-16.45 The PUMA LEGO recycling simulation game
Discover the challenges in packaging material recycling with all other physical participants in this ground breaking game, using the iconic LEGO bricks in a way you have never thought of – and will never forget! 
 
16.45-17.00 Conclusion; summarising the results and defining the work to do together in the coming year

17.00 Informal after-party
 

VENUE
Anchoring the renowned University Park at MIT, Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT stands amidst an area legendary for its infrastructure of invention. Notably, the Boston-Cambridge area is one of the world’s impactful regions on packaging consumer and industrial markets. Moreover, the region is a showcase for responsible post-use packaging collection and processing.

REGISTRATION



 

CONTACT
For more information please contact the NVC at info@nvc.nl  or +31-(0)182-512411.