BPF Packaging Seminar 2025

Chaired by Brian Lodge, Director of the BPF's Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group, the event began with a welcome address followed by a comprehensive update on UK and EU legislation including the UK Plastic Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Schemes.

With the upcoming changes to the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) Regulations, Jez Blake from DEFRA elaborated on the developments in pEPR and obligations for producers and local authorities.

Hazel O'Keefe from Keller & Heckman touched on the vast European legislation; the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), how this will affect the supply chain and who will be obligated under the new rules. The PPWR will encourage businesses to rethink how their packaging is designed, used and what happens to it at end of life.

Many industries and sectors have benefited from the advancements in artificial intelligence and Stefan Casey from io.tt talked about the potential of AI in the packaging sector and its value in creating a platform for consumer engagement and providing valuable data. Some plastic packaging manufacturers are already utilising AI systems to aid in their marketing efforts and Stefan warned about the risk to companies that fail to adapt now.

Angela Doyle from Robinson Group emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation across the supply chain to ensure Recyclers, Designers, Brands and Producers are able to meet changing demands and comply with legislation.

Following a networking lunch, the afternoon programme began with a talk from Ocado's Laura Fernandez on their unique reuse system and their journey to close the gap between reuse and single use. She also spoke about a possible future where reuse will be incorporated into pEPR regulations which could potentially lead to lower fees.

The seminar ended with a panel discussion where Alex Lee, Chairman of the BPF's Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group Management Committee and Commercial Director of Cromwell Polythene, joined Stefan Casey and Angela Doyle to discuss the future of plastic packaging, the influence of AI and how legislation can be formed to allow the innovation that the industry needs to sustain a future.

The BPF Plastics and Packaging Seminar is an annual in-person event open to members and non-members and explores the challenges and opportunities in the plastics packaging sector.

For more information on BPF events contact [email protected].

For more information on the BPF Plastics and Flexible Packaging Group, please go to https://www.bpf.co.uk/group/plastics-and-flexible-packaging-group-10.aspx.