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With

Shaping the Future with Packaging conference, 10-11 April 2025

Intergraf and FTA Europe, in partnership with Smithers, announced a new edition of the Shaping the Future series: Shaping the Future with Packaging. This exclusive event, which took place in Brussels on Thursday 10 April (afternoon) and Friday 11 April (morning), 2025, was a must-attend for professionals involved in the European packaging sector.

The European packaging market was thriving with innovation and creativity, and this event brought together key industry experts to discuss pivotal topics, such as:

• Sustainability in packaging
• Food contact materials
• Product design innovations
• EU policies impacting the sector
• Label printing

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The event included insightful presentations and discussions, along with a networking dinner on the evening of Thursday, 10 April. The final conference sessions concluded Friday lunchtime, 11 April.

EXCLUSIVE MARKET REPORT

Shaping the Future with Packaging attendees also received the European Packaging Market Report, prepared by Smithers. This exclusive report presents a comprehensive market analysis, including the latest trends and data impacting the packaging industry. It is included in the conference package and serves as a valuable resource for professionals across the sector.

To request a copy of the report, please contact Sergejs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ABOUT THE EVENT SERIES

The Shaping the Future series, organized by Intergraf in collaboration with Smithers, highlights key sub-sectors of the European print industry. Previous conferences have focused on topics like books, commercial print, magazines, and direct mail. Next year's event, co-organized by Intergraf and FTA Europe, will spotlight the growing significance of packaging. Building on the success of the Shaping the Future with Packaging event in 2023, which brought together 120 participants from nearly 20 countries, this edition continued to advance industry knowledge and collaboration.

See sponsorships opportunities here.

Fees:

• Printing company belonging to Intergraf member association - 190 EUR + VAT (944 LEU)
• Non-member printing company - 395 EUR + VAT (1964 LEU)
• Non-member supplier company - 495 EUR + VAT (2461 LEU)
• Intergraf Member Association Director/Board Member/employee - 0 EUR for up to 2 delegates
• Printing company belonging to Intergraf member association - 190 EUR + VAT (944 LEU)
• Intergraf Associate Members - 0 EUR for up to 2 delegates
• NOPA members - 0 EUR
• Journalist - 0 EUR

Speakers:

• Developments in different print market segments. Sean Smyth, Print & Packaging Consultant, Smithers, UK.
• Case Study: Studiosus: Premium communication for a premium brand with premium customers. Challenges and opportunities of print and communication (from a customer’s point of view). Boris Kochan, KOCHAN & PARTNER GmbH & Deutscher Designtag, DE.
• Packaging & Packaging Waste and national initiatives regarding mineral oil. Christof Walter, Food Contact Manager, EuPIA, DE.
• Case Study: The Bertelsmann approach to the carbon footprint. Mark Fabisch, Senior Director Environment, Bertelsmann, DE.
• What is print’s place in a digital world? Manon Lassaigne, winner of the 2023 Intergraf Young Talent Award, FR.
• Web printing in challenging times. Johannes Helmberger, Managing Director, Niedermayr, DE.
• The transformation from a family business to part of the most important printing group in Norway, Morten Gunnarshaug, CPO, Aksell AS, NO.
• AI and how it can affect the graphic industry. Ivs Zenne, Docent, Art Academy of Latvia, LV.
• An overview of current and prospective conditions in the U.S. print market, Ford Bowers, CEO. PRINTING United Alliance, USA.
• What if innovation isn't part of tomorrow? Morten Reitoft, Editor, INKISH, DK.

Thursday, 10 April

12:30 - 14:00 - Networking lunch

14:00 - 14:05 - Conference Opening

Moderator: Joanna Stephenson, Think B2B Marketing, UK

14:05 - 14:15 - Welcome

Speakers: Intergraf & FTA Europe

14:15 - 15:00 - Market Insights: European Packaging Sector

Speaker: Jon Harper Smith, Smithers

15:00 - 15:30 - Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Speaker: Ioannis Antonopoulos, European Commission

15:30 - 16:15 - Networking coffee break

16:00 - 16:45 - Artificial Intelligence in Packaging

Speaker: Pieter De Buysser, NXTGN, Belgium

16:45 - 17:15 - The future of packaging & the position of brands

Speaker: Peter Stael, Across-consult, Switzerland

18:30 - 21:00 - Welcome drink and dinner

Dress code: smart casual

Friday, 11 April

09:00 - 09:30 - Case study packaging printers

Speakers: Osvaldo Bosetti, Goglio, Italy & Anna Vezzali, Ghelfi, Italy

09:30 - 10:00 - Flexo market in Asia and Middle East

Speaker: Suhas Kulkarni, SOMA ENTERPRISE LTD, India

10:00 - 10:45 - Networking coffee break

10:45 - 11:15 - The label market

Speaker: Jules Lejeune, FINAT, The Netherlands

11:15 - 11:45 - Value creation for our customers

Speaker: Nicolaas Verhelst, VPK, Belgium

11:45 - 12:15 - Case Study: Diageo

Speaker: Paul Horton, Diageo, UK

12:15 - 12:30 - Conference Closing

12:30 - 14:00 - Networking lunch