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- Emmi Caffè Latte launches protein chocolate cappuccino in Tesco
Emmi Caffè Latte is rolling out a new Protein Chocolate Cappuccino alongside wider Tesco expansion as it targets growth in the £364 million ready-to-drink iced coffee category. Emmi Caffè Latte Zero From week commencing 11 May, the new 330ml Protein Chocolate Cappuccino will launch nationwide in Tesco, alongside the brand’s Emmi Caffè Latte Zero 370ml entering the Tesco Meal Deal for the first time. According to Emmi, the Protein Chocolate Cappuccino is positioned in the growing functional dairy segment, where protein drinks are up 53.3% year on year. It contains 7.8g of protein per 100ml and is made with hand-roasted arabica beans, fresh Swiss milk and protein concentrate rather than ultra-processed isolates. The launch forms part of the brand’s wider 'Be Ready' campaign, which includes TV, out-of-home advertising across UK cities, digital and social activity, and shopper marketing. Experiential activity will include a branded van visiting high-footfall locations such as city centres, train stations and sporting events. Georgia Lightbody, senior brand manager at Emmi Caffè Latte, said: “Bringing Emmi Caffè Latte Zero into the Tesco Meal Deal is a significant step for the brand, allowing us to reach shoppers at scale with a no-added-sugar option that appeals to consumers looking for a healthier option". "At the same time, our new Emmi Caffè Latte Protein Chocolate Cappuccino taps into growing demand for functional, on-the-go formats. Backed by strong investment across TV, OOH and digital, we’re focused on driving trial and reinforcing Emmi Caffè Latte as the go-to for an on-the-go refreshing energy boost throughout the day.” Emmi Caffè Latte Zero 370ml will have an RRP of £2.95, while the Protein Chocolate Cappuccino 330ml will retail at £2.50.
- Beyond Meat rolls out new Spicy Buffalo chicken-style pieces in US
Beyond Meat, otherwise known as Beyond The Plant Protein Company, has announced the US roll-out of a new buffalo sauce-flavoured Beyond Chicken Pieces variant. The new variety, launching into over 2,000 Kroger stores, follows the launch of Beyond’s Chicken Pieces. Original at major retailers with a revamped, clean-label recipe last year. According to Beyond, the Spicy Buffalo Pieces offer the same taste and nutritional profile as the Original product, with the spicy flavour of cayenne pepper-based buffalo sauce. The pieces contain 21g of plant-based protein and 130 calories per serving, with just 0.5g of saturated fat from avocado oil. Both varieties are made with Non-GMO Project-standard ingredients, Beyond confirmed, as well as being the first plant-based chicken alternatives to be certified by the Clean Label Project. They are pre-cut and can be cooked from frozen, designed for convenient addition to a wide range of dishes including stir-fries, salads, pastas, tacos, wraps and bowls. Ethan Brown, founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, said: “The introduction of Beyond Chicken Pieces Spicy Buffalo at Kroger stores nationwide marks an exciting expansion of our chicken portfolio”. He added: “The product is the latest output of our strategy to provide consumers with an industry-leading portfolio of clean and delicious offerings”.
- Amcor teams up with Metsä Group and G Mondini on new fibre-based tray system
Packaging specialists Amcor, Metsä Group and G Mondini have collaborated on a new fibre-based tray system, tailored for protein and chilled ready meal applications. The system combines a lightweight barrier liner and top web, aiming to accelerate the move toward sustainable, fibre-based packaging. It will be debuted at European packaging trade show Interpack in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 7-13 May 2026, where it will run live on G Mondini’s Trave Streamline machine. Amcor said it worked closely with G Mondini to ensure ‘seamless machine performance’ for meat and food producers. Engineered to protect perishable foods and extend shelf life, Amcor noted that its AmFiber tray and film combination responds to ‘rising consumer confidence in more sustainable materials.’ The solution aims to deliver a distinctive packaging format that enhances shelf appeal and supports environmental commitments. The tray is designed using Muoto, a novel moulded fibre packaging solution developed by Metsä Group’s innovation company, Metsä Spring. It offers a recyclable solution based on renewable wood sourced from northern forests, complemented by Amcor’s range of advanced barriers and top-web films to address different product applications. The solution is designed to reduce plastic use while prolonging shelf life, and can include convenience features such as microwaveable, oven-suitable and easy-peel options. Ilya Syshchikov, Amcor’s vice president of Global Fiber, said: “High-performing packaging requires a fully integrated system, where every element, from tray and barrier liner to top web and machinery, works seamlessly together”. “By collaborating with Metsä Group and G Mondini, we are creating a complete packaging solution that simplifies implementation, addresses customer challenges and helps brands focus on delivering exceptional products.”
- Italian competition watchdog hits snacks ‘cartel’ with €23.3m fine
The Italian competition authority has issued a €23.3 million fine to three leading private label savoury snack manufacturers in the country, finding that they breached competition laws. The three companies – Amica Chips, Pata, and Preziosi Food – were found to have participated in an anti-competitive market-sharing agreement in relation to the supply of savoury snacks manufactured for large-scale retailers. In a media release, the regulator – Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) – described the agreement as a ‘single, complex and continuous market-sharing cartel’ involving supply of snacks sold through private label retail networks, by coordinating their respective commercial strategies. Amica Chips was fined €8.2 million, Pata €7.6 million and Preziosi €7.5 million. However, the authority confirmed that it granted Pata and Amica Chips a reduction in fines in light of evidence they provided, which was described as ‘significant’ in establishing the infringement. It also agreed on a settlement procedure that enabled a further reduction in fines for all three companies, marking the first time such a procedure has been used in the country since the law’s inception. The case highlights the increasing scrutiny over anti-competitive practices within private label F&B, with leading manufacturers in the space often taking a significant share of the market through deals with multiple retailers. Private label has increased its value share significantly in recent years as demand rises for lower-cost alternatives to branded products, driven by food inflation and improved quality of retailers’ own-branded product lines. More from FoodBev on the private label market: Exclusive: The evolution of private label – from teenage imitator to fully fledged professional Exclusive: When copycats cross the line – What Smucker’s lawsuit means for private-label products Research: European consumers embrace private labels amid rising living costs
- Why 'hydration for everyone' will drive category growth
Allison Cullman Hydration, despite its universal importance, is widely understood, yet inconsistently practiced. This disconnect signals a broader shift in consumer needs, creating a clear opportunity for the food and beverage industry to move away from complexity and toward simplicity. Allison Cullman, SVP of marketing at Hint Water, explores how in 2026, the brands that succeed will be those that reframe hydration not as a task to optimise, but as an experience that feels natural, enjoyable and easy to sustain. Wellness has never been more visible or more complex. Consumers today are surrounded by products, protocols and promises designed to optimise everything from energy to longevity. While this explosion of innovation reflects growing interest in health, it has also created friction. As the wellness landscape becomes more complicated, wellness increasingly feels crowded, prescriptive and difficult to sustain, leaving even the most foundational behaviours feeling harder than they should be. Hydration is a clear example. Most consumers understand the importance of drinking enough water, yet consistency remains a challenge across demographics and lifestyles. This gap is not driven by a lack of education, but by experience. When hydration feels uninspiring, overly instructional or disconnected from daily life, it is easy to deprioritise – even when intentions are strong. Hydration made simple In this environment, the opportunity for the food and beverage industry is to simplify. Water is, and always has been, the original form of wellness. It is universal, accessible and essential. The path forward is to reconnect consumers with hydration in a way that feels intuitive, realistic and enjoyable. When hydration feels instinctive rather than effortful, it becomes easier to repeat. And when it becomes repeatable, it becomes a habit. This shift has meaningful implications for category growth as we look toward 2026. Historically, much of hydration innovation has been anchored in performance-driven moments: workouts, recovery, endurance or optimisation. While these use cases are valid, they represent only a small portion of how and when people actually drink water. Most hydration happens in unstructured moments: between meetings, during commutes, alongside meals or throughout the workday. Products designed for everyday hydration must align with those realities. As wellness culture evolves away from extremes and toward sustainability, hydration is increasingly being reframed as something to support rather than optimise. Consumers are looking for accessible and attainable ways to stay hydrated and feel good. In this context, 'hydration for everyone' is a key growth strategy. It recognises that the largest opportunity lies in helping more people drink water more consistently – not by asking them to try harder, but by making the experience more inviting. Make water great again Unsweetened flavoured water has emerged as a meaningful response to this shift. By enhancing the sensory experience of water without adding sugar, sweeteners or functional additives, this segment helps bridge the gap between intention and behaviour. Flavour, when handled with restraint and accuracy, supports hydration rather than distracting from it. For consumers who find plain water boring or easy to overlook, unsweetened flavoured water offers a way to drink more water without compromising simplicity. Advances in natural flavour science have expanded what is possible in this space. Today, brands can deliver highly expressive flavour profiles using plant-derived flavours and fruit essences alone. These flavours can evoke familiarity and enjoyment, bright citrus, ripe fruit or even nostalgic experiences reminiscent of frozen treats, while preserving the integrity of water itself. For consumers, this makes hydration more appealing. For manufacturers, it demonstrates how experience-driven innovation can coexist with clean labels, ingredient restraint and formulation transparency. Design and sensory signalling play an increasingly important role in whether hydration feels approachable or forgettable. Visual cues, packaging clarity and flavour expectation shape perception before the first sip. When these elements are aligned, water feels intuitive to choose. When they are not, even high-quality products can struggle to earn repeat use in a crowded category. As water becomes more experience-driven, brands must think beyond formulation alone and consider how the entire system, from product to packaging to portfolio, supports everyday behaviour. In a mature category like water, differentiation rarely comes from doing more. Instead, it comes from doing the right things consistently. That means being intentional about what is included, what is left out, and how those decisions show up across the brand. Simplicity, when executed thoughtfully, becomes a strategic advantage, rather than a limitation. How to level up hydration As wellness culture becomes more cluttered, brands that simplify rather than amplify will be best positioned to drive long-term growth. Hydration for everyone does not mean lowering standards or diluting innovation. It means designing products and systems that respect real behaviour, prioritise consistency and make everyday wellness feel achievable. The future of hydration will be shaped less by how much more water can do, and more by how effortlessly people can return to it, again and again. As the category continues to evolve, bringing hydration back to basics, in a way that feels fresh, enjoyable and aligned with modern life, will be the key to sustained growth.
- KKR considering $10bn sale of Flora Food Group, Financial Times reports
According to reporting by the Financial Times, global private equity company KKR is exploring a sale of its Flora Food Group business, with a potential valuation of up to $10 billion. Citing a source close to the sale process, FT reported that the US-headquartered capital firm is currently working with investment bankers on the potential divestment. KKR acquired Flora Food Group (formerly Upfield) from Unilever in 2017, in a deal worth €6.8 billion. Previously Unilever’s spreads business, Flora focuses predominantly on dairy alternatives, particularly plant-based margarines. Its portfolio includes a range of household names including Flora, Becel, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! and Bertolli. The Dutch company changed its name to Flora Food Group in 2024 to reflect its ‘evolved purpose,’ aligning with a shift back to being a fully plant-based brand following the removal of dairy ingredients from its Flora Buttery product. However, according to the FT report, the company is adding dairy ingredients back into some products following a consumer shift back toward traditional butter and high-protein dairy, with sales of plant-based spreads dropping by 10% in 2025 according to the Good Food Institute. Flora Food Group is an international leader in the plant-based spreads category, as well as in cream and non-dairy cheese products under brands such as Elmlea and Violife. It operates in around 100 countries, with its global headquarters based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In March this year, the company announced the sale of its Latin American operations to Alicorp, a major F&B player across South America with headquarters in Peru. FoodBev Media has reached out to Flora Food Group and KKR for comment on the reports. Top image: © Flora Food Group
- Bevi launches Gen Z-focused pre-drinks range with hybrid RTD and energy sachets
UK drinks brand Bevi has launched with two new products aimed at the pre-drinks occasion, as it targets Gen Z consumers with a modular alcohol format combining ready-to-drink cans and energy-style powder sachets. The launch includes Journey Juice, a 220ml vodka-based RTD available in three flavours, and Joss Shots, effervescent sachets designed to be mixed into drinks to add caffeine and other functional ingredients. Journey Juice is positioned as a pre-night-out drink with 12% ABV and low sugar and calorie content per unit of alcohol. It is priced at £4.49 per can and comes in Dark Berries, Passionfruit & Orange and Raspberry & Lime variants. Joss Shots are priced at £0.99 per sachet or £4.99 when purchased with Journey Juice. Each sachet contains ingredients including caffeine and taurine and is designed to dissolve in alcohol, creating what the company describes as a 'vibe boost' energy effect. Bevi says the products are designed specifically for pre-drinks, rather than competing across broader drinking occasions. The format reflects what it describes as a shift in Gen Z behaviour towards more selective, occasion-led consumption and hybrid functional drinks. Founded in 2024 by Josh Hillier and Will Diaz, the company has raised over six figures in early funding, much of it from the founders, and says it is already stocked in more than 50 independent stores in the UK. Further retail expansion is planned for later this year. Hillier said: “The industry and societal narrative is that Gen Z doesn’t drink, but we know that to be untrue. What’s really changed is how they choose to drink. There’s a growing convergence of function and alcohol – a concept we call ‘functional intentionality’ – where people are more mindful about how, when and why they drink." "Pre-drinks is one of the most enjoyable and social moments in the night, yet it’s been largely overlooked by legacy brands in terms of innovation. We’ve built Bevi specifically for that occasion – making it simpler, higher value and more aligned with how our generation really drinks and socialises.” Diaz added: “'Journey Juice' is a recognised Gen Z term, and ‘Joss Shots’ format is already familiar to hundreds of thousands of young consumers who have been backpacking across Southeast Asia". "Inspired by that global ritual, we’re bringing a proven, non-Western format to a new market – one that reflects how younger consumers are already choosing to drink and socialise. We aim to lead the convergence of functional drinks and alcohol, aligning with a more intentional, culturally connected way of drinking.” Both products are available individually or as a combined bundle via the company’s website and selected independent UK retailers. Bevi will begin with a targeted roll-out in South West London, focusing on independent retail and social media-led marketing before scaling distribution more widely.
- Finsbury Food Group buys Flower & White to expand healthier snacking and direct-to-consumer reach
Finsbury Food Group has acquired 100% of Flower & White as part of its push into faster-growing bakery segments. Flower & White, based in Telford, UK, produces lower-calorie sweet treats and snack bars sold through direct-to-consumer, retail and foodservice channels. The business is growing at approximately 30% and employs around 46 people. Founders Leanne and Brian Crowther will remain with the company, which will continue operating from its existing site. Finsbury supplies bread, cakes, morning goods and bakery snacks to retailers and foodservice operators across the UK and Europe. The company has pursued a buy-and-build strategy in recent years, including acquiring a majority stake in cupcake brand Lola’s Cupcakes in August 2025. The acquisition expands Finsbury’s direct-to-consumer footprint and adds a lighter snacking range to its portfolio of baked goods. The group said the deal creates scope for product development and cross-selling across its brands. John Duffy, CEO of Finsbury Food Group, said: “Flower & White is a high-quality, entrepreneurial brand operating in attractive growth segments. This acquisition strengthens our direct-to-consumer platform and adds exciting capability in sweet treats and better-for-you snacking. We see strong opportunities to scale the brand through our retail and commercial channels.” Leanne Crowther, joint founder of Flower & White, added: “We’re delighted to confirm that Flower & White has been acquired by Finsbury Food Group. This is a proud moment in our journey. What started as a small idea in our Shropshire kitchen has grown into a brand-first business shaped by an amazing team and loyal customers." “Joining Finsbury allows us to build on everything we’ve created, accelerating our direct-to-consumer plans, strengthening retail and foodservice relationships and bringing even more of what people love from Flower & White to the market. We couldn't be more excited for this next chapter.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
- Organic dairy farmers sue US government over milk pricing system
Organic dairy farmers in the United States have launched a series of legal challenges against the federal government, arguing that current milk pricing rules unfairly disadvantage their sector and divert revenue to conventional producers. Three federal court filings submitted by members of the Coalition for Organic Dairy Exemption (CODE) contest the constitutionality of requiring organic producers to participate in the US Department of Agriculture’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) programme. In parallel, a class action claim seeks compensation for what farmers describe as six years of improperly collected payments into the system. The plaintiffs argue that the FMMO structure forces organic producers to contribute to a pricing pool that does not return value to them. Elvin Ranck, an organic dairy farmer in Pennsylvania and one of the claimants, said the system “actively harms organic dairy farmers” by redistributing income generated from organic milk sales to non-organic producers. Ranck added that his cooperative, CROPP Cooperative, pays millions of dollars annually into the FMMO pool without receiving any financial benefit in return, describing the arrangement as equivalent to a government taking. Organic dairy now represents more than 10% of US dairy farms, with its share of fluid milk sales rising from 1.9% in 2006 to 7% in 2025. Industry representatives argue that the current pricing framework undermines this growth by extracting resources that could otherwise be used to expand production and meet rising consumer demand. CODE members claim that successive administrations have failed to address the issue despite repeated efforts by the organic sector. Proposals submitted in 2015 were not advanced, while organic-specific recommendations raised during a national FMMO hearing in 2023 were not considered. Further objections and administrative challenges lodged in 2024 and 2025 have also gone unresolved. The FMMO programme was originally established in the 1930s to stabilise the conventional dairy market and ensure adequate milk supply. Organic producers argue that the system has not evolved to reflect fundamental differences between organic and conventional dairy, including separate supply chains, stricter production standards and higher operating costs. Under current rules, organic and conventional milk are treated identically for pricing and pooling purposes, despite federal regulations preventing the two from being intermingled. Farmers say this mismatch places additional financial strain on organic operations, which already face higher feed costs and stricter regulatory requirements. The legal action does not seek to dismantle the FMMO system but instead calls for organic dairy to be excluded from a framework that, according to plaintiffs, was never designed for it. Industry representatives argue that federal law already recognises organic products as distinct and that pricing mechanisms should reflect that distinction. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the structure of US dairy pricing and the future growth of the organic sector.
- Pharmaceutical Packaging Summit 2026
The Pharmaceutical Packaging Summit 2026 will take place on 22-23 June 2026 at Encore Boston Harbor in Boston, Massachusetts. This invitation only pharmaceutical packaging event will bring together senior packaging executives and solution providers for two days of focused discussion, strategic insight and business driven interaction. Recognised as a leading pharmaceutical packaging conference, the summit will explore how organisations are approaching next generation packaging challenges across drug delivery, sustainability and operational efficiency. Key topics include agentic AI and autonomous factory operations, aseptic integrity, circularity, regulatory compliance, digital patient interfaces, modular execution and cold chain resilience. A central feature of the summit is its structured format, including scheduled one to one meetings between delegates and solution providers. These meetings are aligned to active business priorities, allowing for focused conversations around real challenges and potential solutions. Featured speakers and programme highlights The 2026 programme will feature senior leaders from across the pharmaceutical packaging landscape, sharing practical perspectives and real world strategies. Giorgio Carbone, manufacturing project associate director at Merck Serono, will lead a session titled Beyond the barrier: Orchestrating aseptic integrity and sustainable intelligence in next-gen packaging. His session will explore how packaging is evolving into a critical component of drug delivery systems, with a focus on balancing sterility with sustainable materials, addressing Scope 3 emissions across the supply chain and designing effective end of life solutions for medical packaging. Rahul Mittal, head of strategy and innovation North America at Dr Reddy's Laboratories, will present The green alpha: Proving sustainability as a high-margin growth lever. This session will examine how packaging leaders can demonstrate the financial and strategic value of sustainability initiatives, from reducing total cost of ownership to aligning global operations and strengthening brand positioning. Rafael do Prado Souza, global brand lead for rare blood disorders at Sanofi, will explore The agentic blueprint: Dismantling silos to build an always be launching portfolio. His discussion will focus on the use of AI and data driven systems to connect R&D with commercial strategy, enabling faster, more responsive product launches and improved patient outcomes. Why attend Alongside expert led sessions, the Pharmaceutical Packaging Summit 2026 offers a curated environment designed for meaningful engagement. Through scheduled one to one meetings, peer discussions and practical case studies, attendees will gain actionable insight into optimising packaging design, manufacturing processes and supply chain strategies. With participation limited to maintain a focused and relevant environment, the summit provides a platform for pharmaceutical packaging leaders to exchange ideas, evaluate solutions and build valuable partnerships. For executives seeking practical insight and real business connections, the Pharmaceutical Packaging Summit 2026 stands out as a key pharmaceutical packaging industry event. For more information or participation details, visit the official summit page here, or contact Kyriakos Xenophontos at kyriakosx@marcusevanscy.com.
- Greenvit debuts Aronvit powder for gut health and microbiota
Polish nutraceutical specialist Greenvit is debuting a new gut health-focused ingredient solution, Aronvit, at VitaFoods Europe 2026 next month. The solution is a low-dose, clean-label, concentrated aronia berry extract powder, designed to support gut health. It comes amid rising demand for prebiotics and other microbiome-supporting ingredients, as consumers become more aware of digestive health, as well as gut health’s role in holistic wellbeing generally. Prebiotic fibre passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract (GI) undigested, and is metabolised through bacterial fermentation, primarily in the lower GI. However, Greenvit emphasised that fibre is not the only pathway to supporting gut health. Rafał Pietruszyński, CEO of Greenvit, said: “Aronia berries are rich in precision polyphenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tannins and other flavonoids that contribute potent antioxidant properties and multiple health benefits, including activity in the GI”. “Aronia has a prebiotic effect based on polyphenols. A process similar to fermentation of polyphenols is more slowly and potentially more gently, therefore is associated with less gas production than traditional fibre sources.” Pietruszyński added that the ingredient is ideal for consumers with limited fibre tolerance, for whom high-fibre diets can cause severe bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort. While fibre is typically required in amounts from 5-10g to see a measurable prebiotic effect, he noted that Aronvit’s low-dose efficacy offers a gentle solution for sensitive consumers, while targeting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila. Greenvit explained that aronia berries are among the fruits richest in antioxidant compounds, scoring at the top of the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale: a measure of the ability to reduce the radical oxygen molecules that lead to lipid peroxidation and cellular DNA damage. The company said it uses natural extraction methods, without solvents or other harsh chemicals, to derive the highest amount of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols. Greenvit also pointed to the benefits of the solution as a natural stimulator of GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1), a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar and the target of GLP-1 medications used for weight management. When GLP-1 is produced, the DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) enzyme typically breaks it down quickly. However, new studies have indicated that a specific bioactive compound in aronia, cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, inhibits the DPP-IV enzyme. This can keep the GLP-1 active longer to support metabolic wellness, Pietruszyński noted. Referring to polyphenols as “the new frontier in microbiome modulation,” he commented: “We call Aronvit the ‘gentle prebiotic modulator’. It supports healthy glucose metabolism and metabolic balance, reinforces the integrity of the intestinal barrier, helps mitigate the inflammatory response and nourishes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.”
- Ti Talks: Beyond packaging by Taghleef Industries at Interpack 2026
Five afternoon sessions. Five themes. Real debate, sharp insights, expert perspectives. Taghleef Industries (Ti), a global producer of high-performance film solutions for packaging, labels and graphic arts, will host Ti Talks at its booth during Interpack 2026, a brand-new on-booth programme designed to inform, inspire and connect, built around two distinct session formats. In the morning, 'Ti Talks – Inside Packaging' offers visitors a unique opportunity to go deeper into Ti’s world. Internal specialists will walk attendees through the company’s latest packaging and labelling solutions, materials and innovations, with real success stories that show what is truly possible – expert-led and designed to spark ideas worth bringing back to the business. In the afternoon, 'Ti Talks – Beyond Packaging' opens the floor to the industry, welcoming leading experts and the most compelling voices in the sector to unpack the trends, regulations and technologies shaping what comes next. Expect sharp insights, honest debate and plenty to take home. Both formats follow the same five innovative stations at the heart of Ti’s exhibition stand, ensuring each day tells a complete and coherent story, from the inside out. Below is the full programme for Ti Talks – Beyond Packaging, with sessions running daily at 15:00 (except for 9 and 13 May) throughout Interpack 2026. Each session is free to attend, but seats are limited and registration is required. Thursday, 7 May – Origins, Rewritten Materials in motion: How is the evolving global market redefining the resin map? Speaker: Emiliano Basualdo, senior analyst | ICIS The opening session sets the scene by exploring how the global resin landscape is shifting. From polypropylene trends and the rise of biopolymers to investment developments in China, the future of production facilities in Europe and the evolution of plants across the Middle East and Asia. This session offers a comprehensive global perspective on where packaging raw materials are heading and what emerging inputs are entering the picture. Friday, 8 May – Distinction, Amplified Elevating packaging design in a multi-dimensional world Moderator: Tim Sykes | Packaging Europe Speakers: Jean-Emile Potaufeux, technical manager | RecyClass Dominika Maruszak, global packaging sustainability manager | Pepsico Ulrike Danne, senior manager sustainability | GS1 Germany Joana-Maria Bauchwitz | CEO Baries Design Packaging design is no longer just about aesthetics: It is becoming a multi-dimensional system of emotion, intelligence, circularity and digital identity. This session examines how creativity and sustainability can coexist, how invisible watermarks readable by sorting systems are changing the recyclability landscape and how digital identity tools – from product passports to smart labels – are connecting packaging design to information on origin, materials and sustainability metrics. Sunday, 10 May – Performance, Unleashed Packaging without borders: Navigating global trends and compliance Moderator: Tim Sykes | Packaging Europe Speakers: Joachim Quoden, managing director | Expra Guido Aufdemkamp, executive director | Flexible Packaging Europe Scott Trenor, technical director | The Association of Plastic Recyclers Fiona Durie, advocacy consultant | Ceflex One of the programme's most expansive sessions, bringing together leading voices from across the value chain to examine how global trends and regulations are reshaping the packaging industry. From compliance challenges to cross-border market dynamics, this session offers the perspectives and practical insights businesses need to stay ahead in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Monday, 11 May — Circularity, Increased The real alternative: Compostable packaging’s place in a circular future Speakers: Fabrizio Radice, general manager | Corapack Afsaneh Nabifar, chair of the board | Compostable by Design Eric Klingenberg, materials science kead | Mars Advanced Research Institute Stan Haftka, business development manager | Kaneka Green Planet As the industry navigates the growing complexity of alternative materials, this session focuses on bio-based and biodegradable solutions and their real role in a circular future. Speakers will explore how brands can understand and communicate the benefits of compostable packaging, how to guide consumers toward responsible disposal and where these materials genuinely fit within broader circularity strategies. Tuesday, 12 May – Future, Accelerated From today’s cart to tomorrow’s shelf: How will consumer choices evolve by 2030? Moderator: Tim Sykes | Packaging Europe Speakers: Boris Planer, consultant | Retail Cities Nerida Kelton, executive director | World Packaging Association Ton Knipscheer, executive director | European Co-Packers Association The closing session looks forward, beyond current formats, materials and assumptions. Through surprising and forward-looking insights, speakers will explore how packaging, retail and consumer behaviour are set to evolve by 2030 in ways most brands aren’t yet considering, and how packaging’s relationship with modern lifestyles will continue to redefine what ends up on tomorrow’s shelf. Register now and choose your session here. Ti Talks – Beyond Packaging is open to all Interpack visitors. Seats are limited and registration is required. To secure your place and explore the full programme, visit: interpack2026.ti-films.com.












