FESPA 2026 Reveals Corrugated Conference Speaker Roster
FESPA, in partnership with Brunton Publications, has officially revealed the high-calibre speaker line-up for its inaugural Corrugated Conference, scheduled to run from 19-22 May 2026 at Fira de Barcelona, Spain.
The free-to-attend conference, located in Hall 3, Stand B162, is designed to provide industry professionals with critical insights into the rapid digital, regulatory, and technological transformations currently reshaping the corrugated sector. Attendees can expect a deep dive into the latest market trends and challenges through a curated programme of expert-led sessions.
Day One (19 May 2026): Navigating Digital Revolution
The high-profile roundtable session featuring industry experts from EFI, HP, Kento, and Koenig & Bauer will dive into the rapid evolution of the print sector. This will be followed by a critical briefing by Stefan Liversidge, OT Security Product Owner at OPSWAT, who will provide essential insights into the escalating cyber landscape – and why cybersecurity is now a critical pillar of production and supply chain resilience. Rounding out the day’s highlights, BOBST Product Marketing Director Christian Yuki Vionnet will challenge current market assumptions by asking the industry if the e-commerce bubble is about to burst.
Day Two (20 May 2026): Securing the Future with Talent and Technology
On the second day of the programme, the focus will shift to operational excellence. Packitoo CEO Thomas Othax will delve into how AI-driven automation and digitalisation can enhance configuration, pricing and quoting workflows.
Following this, Cervezas Gran Via CEO Lorenzo de la Mora and Kento Digital Printing Founder and CEO Javier Quesada will present a case study on benchmarking digital, analogue, and hybrid technologies that are used to streamline packaging design and production. They will also speak about how this brewery adapted to the latest packaging production methods.
The session will also feature Joanna Stephenson of Young People in Print (YPIP) discussing strategies to attract and retain the next generation of talent to combat the challenges of an ageing population. To conclude, David Preskett, Vice President APAC and EMEA at Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, will discuss how real-world business needs are driving the development of the latest cutting-edge production tools, as well as the trends shaping the future of the global packaging industry.
Day Three (21 May 2026): The Regulatory Road Ahead
The final day of the conference will tackle the complexities of sustainability. Dr. Aaron Yeardley, Science Team Co-Lead at Tunley Environmental, will open the session, shedding light on ESRS E5 and the circular economy amid the changing regulatory landscape for raw materials, including inks, varnishes, and coatings.
This focus on resource management will continue with Evert Delbanco, Head of Global Regulatory Project Management & Group Toxicologist at Flint Group, who will explore the changing regulatory landscape when it comes to raw materials and a closed loop economy. Concluding the session, Ian Bates, Owner of REEL and BLU8 Ltd., will outline the future of the European corrugated market, focusing on material innovation and the transition to high-performance, scalable fibre solutions.
Corrugated is sponsored by overall event sponsor BOBST; Gold Sponsors Advantive and Canon; and Bronze Sponsors Kongsberg Prevision Cutting Systems and Xaar.
Nick Kirby, Non-Executive Director at Zeus Packaging Group and FESPA Corrugated Ambassador, comments: “Preparations for the first edition of Corrugated are well underway, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to welcoming a host of experts from across the industry to discover the latest developments, trends, and more.
“The Corrugated Conference will enable visitors to gain a broad understanding of how corrugated, print, and signage can combine to unlock new revenue opportunities for businesses in both fields. Whether you want to explore technology-driven innovation or find out how you can respond to the ever-changing demands of the industry, Corrugated is a worthwhile event to attend.”
