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With Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 launching tomorrow, we provide a final rundown for attendees of the Birmingham packaging exhibition.
Taking place on February 12th and 13th, the annual event will feature over 450 exhibitors showcasing their latest packaging solutions as well as more than 70 expert speakers across three stages, multiple dedicated zones, and an awards show.
Confirmed attendees include brands such as Morrisons, Asda, Amazon, John Lewis, Nestlé, Unilever, Heinz, Ikea, Pepsico, and Waitrose.
Dedicated Zones
The event will feature a range of dedicated zones spotlighting key growth areas in packaging.
This includes a Food Service Zone, developed with The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), which will showcase sustainable and recyclable food packaging innovations.
The trade show’s Label & Print Zone will highlight the latest advancements in labelling and flexible packaging technology, presenting new releases designed to improve quality, sustainability, and efficiency.
The Smart Packaging Zone will present interactive, future-ready packaging solutions that integrate technology to improve efficiency and reduce waste, among other goals.
Finally, the Contract Pack & Fulfilment Zone, which is sponsored by The Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics (BCMPA), will link brand owners and retailers with co-packing and e-commerce fulfilment experts for specialised packaging and delivery solutions.
Launches and Debuts
Among the many exhibitors which can be found at the trade show, a variety of launches and industry firsts have been teased by organiser, EasyFairs.
Packaging manufacturer, SVP, will showcase its new reclosable bag solution at Packaging Innovations, a packaging solution designed to reduce plastic waste and support a more sustainable future. These bags are reusable, recyclable, and designed to minimise plastic consumption.
Berry Global will reveal new additions to its range of beauty and personal care products with the introduction of additional smaller sizes to its Stick and Refill range; namely 15ml, 20ml, and 25ml. The additions are designed to offer a convenient, attractive, and refillable on-the-go pack solution.
Machine manufacturer, Sovereign, will be unveiling its new label-making machine. The machine was developed in response to customer enquiries for an entry-level range of machinery, offering an affordable and simple desktop labelling solution that does not compromise on quality.
Finally, Zeus Packaging will present its new Apollo Pallet Wrapping System. The pallet wrap monitoring solution is designed to reduce plastic consumption by up to 60%, significantly reducing businesses’ carbon footprint and scope 3 emissions.
This is just a small selection of the solutions on offer at the event. More information about exhibitors to look out for can be found here.
Insightful Speakers
This year’s line-up of speakers at Packaging Innovations has been dubbed by EasyFairs as “our most robust yet”.
It features over 70 industry leaders including sustainability specialists and technology experts, with talks aiming to tackle the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in packaging. The talks will be split over three dedicated stages, namely a Supply Chain stage, Innovation & Design stage, and Circular Economy stage.
At the Innovation & Design stage on Wednesday February 12th at 1145, Miguel Arevalo, packaging innovation lead at Google, will be hosting a talk titled ‘Redesigning For The Future: Googles journey to plastic free packaging’.
Arevalo will discuss finding economically viable solutions to mitigate climate change, fostering sustainable development, and enabling champions to work on viable sustainable and inclusive packaging options.
Also on Wednesday at the Circular Economy stage at 1500, Maria Vastag, managing consultant at Smithers, will host a talk titled ‘The Future of Sustainable Packaging: Regulatory, market and technology shifts’.
Vastag, who specialises in packaging, print, and paper markets, will give advice based on her industry expertise including insights in consultancy projects, market reports, webinars, and conference presentations.
At the Manufacturing & Supply Chain stage on Thursday February 13th at 10:30, Josephine Coombe, chief commercial officer at Nulogy, is hosting a talk titled – Winning the Market Through Digitalisation: Co-packers and the power of specialized software.
Coombe will delve into how purpose built software enhances operational efficiency and profitability for contract packers, alongside Ian Wright, sales director at Prism eLogistics.
Trailblazer Awards
Finalists have now been announced for the 2025 Future Trailblazer Awards, which runs alongside the trade show. The Awards aim to showcase 11 professionals driving innovation and leadership across the packaging industry.
The Future Trailblazer Awards highlight achievements across five key categories.
Designing the Future celebrates technologists, designers, and print technicians judged to have created groundbreaking designs.
Production Pioneers recognises engineers and production operatives enhancing manufacturing processes.
Sustainability Visionaries honours professionals who drive initiatives and champion sustainability.
Management Excellence applauds project managers, artwork coordinators, and production leaders for their leadership skills.
Finally, Operational Champions highlights the achievements of buyers, supply chain managers, and quality assurance professionals.
Winners will receive an IOM3 membership, offering access to a range of resources, professional networks, and training opportunities to support their growth.
This year’s finalists include Aden Newbury, Jade Capp, and Anne Dubois, all from Kingfisher. It also includes Robert Rigby and James O’Rourke from Mailway, Hope Fletcher from Unilever, Josephine Cooper from DS Smith, Michael Thompson from Bake & Bag, Emily Murphy from Kellanova, Dhruvi Thakkar from Packaging Designer, and Chris Fiander from Westpak UK.
A ‘Meet the Trailblazers of 2025’ speaking session will take place on Wednesday, February 12th on the Circular Economy stage, led by Jude Allan, interim managing director at OPRL, in which attendees can learn more about the nominees and why they have been nominated.
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