Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 Sees Record Visits
Record-breaking event brings together thousands of industry professionals to explore cutting-edge innovations, sustainability initiatives, and future of packaging
The success of Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025, held in Birmingham, continues to resonate across the industry, with many still reflecting on what has been hailed as the most successful edition in the event’s history. With a record-breaking 7,424 unique visitors, the show has further cemented its position as the UK’s leading platform for packaging innovation, sustainability, and business growth.
Bringing together more than 450 exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals, the two-day event showcased cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions, and vital discussions signposting the future of packaging. With a packed conference agenda featuring 96 speakers across 32 sessions, attendees gained valuable insights into emerging trends, regulatory developments, and innovative solutions.
A key moment of the event was the first-ever stakeholder presentation of PackUK, the scheme administrator for the UK’s new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) programme. The discussion, led by Sebastian Munden, Chair of the EPR Scheme Administrator, and featuring high-profile government representatives, set the stage for the scheme’s implementation and impact on businesses.
Shane Doris, Director of Environmental Resources Policy Division at the Department for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland, took to the stage to say, “It has been a Herculean effort involving politicians, officials, packaging industry representatives, and other stakeholders from across the UK. I can think of no better event to launch PackUK, and I look forward to healthy discussions with the many value chain professionals attending.”
On the second day, the conversation developed as Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Nature, DEFRA, chaired a panel addressing pEPR’s financial implications for SMEs and the importance of collaboration across the value chain. Creagh emphasised that the UK is undergoing a major system change, and industry involvement will be key to ensuring fair and effective delivery. “There is an opportunity for all of you to pitch in with your ideas, intelligence, and experience. We want to make sure Britain is open for business and that we are working together to deliver transformational change.”
This stands in contrast to recent high-profile policy shifts in the US, where regulatory changes have altered the trajectory of environmental initiatives. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement once again signals a shift in priorities, with economic growth taking precedence over sustainability in key policy areas.
That was something Miguel Arevalo, Google’s Head of Packaging Sustainability and Innovation, was keen to highlight during his keynote at the exhibition. “It’s great to be here, and I appreciate the interest in what we’re doing at Google and the opportunity to engage with the European space. I believe Europe is driving the future of sustainability, and regardless of whatever political aspects happen on the other side of the pond, this is where we need to be. We need to be present and aware of what’s happening so we can play our part in shaping the future.”
Alongside sustainability, smart packaging and AI were major talking points at this year’s event. Stefan Casey, Head of Ecosystem at SharpEnd / io.tt, led a future-focused panel that explored the potential of digital packaging solutions, predicting a shift in how AI and connected packaging will transform consumer engagement.
“AI will take over some jobs – we have to think differently across the entire supply chain. Technology is reshaping packaging in ways we couldn’t have imagined,” says Casey.
Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, Managing Director at RNIB Enterprises, brought an important perspective to the conversation, highlighting how smart packaging can create more inclusive experiences for visually impaired consumers: “When we talk about designing for all, we need to think beyond obvious disabilities. Any friction in the user experience can be a barrier – packaging must be designed with the future for all in mind.”
This year’s Innovation Gallery Award was won by Swisspack Europe’s FORMIL refill spout pouches for Lidl, developed in partnership with Algramo. The system, which allows customers to refill detergent in-store, helps reduce plastic waste while promoting cost-effective, sustainable shopping.
The 2025 Packaging Startup Awards recognised groundbreaking advancements in sustainability, with winners including Blue Ocean Closures (Alternative Materials), PulpaTronics (Connected Packaging), GreenEvo (Online Innovation), Cauli (Refill & Reuse), and AeroFlexx (Waste Reduction). PulpaTronics was also awarded Packaging Startup of the Year, solidifying its reputation as an industry disruptor.
With record-breaking attendance and an atmosphere of collaboration, education, and innovation, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 has set a new benchmark for global packaging events. Event organiser Easyfairs’ Senior Marketing Manager James Montero-MacColl praised the event’s success: “We wanted to make this an unmissable event, and we’ve done just that. From new legislation to breakthrough technology, the industry has come together to drive change. The energy on the show floor was incredible, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Having firmly established itself as the premier event for the UK packaging sector with its largest-ever attendance and industry-leading content, both the organisers and the packaging community are looking forward in anticipation to be part of Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026, scheduled on 11-12 February, 2026, at the same venue.
