Shaping the Future with Packaging 2025


 


    www.intergraf.eu | www.fta-europe.eu/

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

Intergraf and FTA Europe, in partnership with Smithers, are excited to announce the upcoming conference in the Shaping the Future series: Shaping the Future with Packaging. This exclusive event, taking place in Brussels on Thursday 10 April (afternoon) and Friday 11 April (morning), 2025, is a must-attend for professionals involved in the European packaging sector.

The European packaging market is thriving with innovation and creativity, and this event will bring 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 will include insightful presentations and discussions, along with a networking dinner on the evening of Thursday, 10 April. The final conference sessions will conclude Friday lunchtime, 11 April.

EXCLUSIVE MARKET REPORT

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

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 promises to continue advancing industry knowledge and collaboration.


See sponsorships opportunities here.

Key details:

  • Date: Friday, June 14th
  • Location: Grand Hotel Bucharest, Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu 4, București 010051, Romania

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.

 

 

Programme
 

Thursday, 10 April

12:30 - 14:00 - Networking lunch

14:00 - 14:05 - Conference Opening

Speaker: Joana Stephenson

14:05 - 14:15 - Welcome

Speaker: Intergraf & FTA Europe

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

Speaker: Maria Vastag, Smithers

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

Speaker: Mattia Pelligrini, European Commission

15:30 - 16:15 - Networking coffee break

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

Speaker: Pieter De Buysser, NXTGN

16:45 - 17:15 - TBC

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

Dress code: smart casual

Friday, 11 April

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

Speakers: Osvaldo Bosetti, Goglio and Anna Vezzali, Ghelfi

09:30 - 10:00 - Case study brand owner

10:00 - 10:45 - Networking coffee break

10:45 - 11:15 - The label market (new report October 2024)

Speaker: Jules le Jeune, FINAT

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

Speaker: Nicolaas Verhelst, VPK, Belgium

11:45 - 12:15 - TBC

12:15 - 12:30 - Conference Closing

12:30 - 14:00 - Networking lunch

 
Speakers
 
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Pieter De Buysser
Founder
NXTGN Belgium
Jules Lejeune
Managing director
Lejeune Association Management The Netherlands
Joanna Stephenson
Managing Director
Think B2B Marketing United Kingdom
Maria Vastag
Managing Consultant
Smithers United Kingdom
Nikolaas Verhelst
Product Innovation Partner
VPK Group Belgium
LinkedIn
Pieter De Buysser
Founder
NXTGN Belgium
Pieter De Buysser is the founder of NXTGN, a consulting company supporting organizations in the adoption of AI. With a background in computer engineering, he has extensive experience as an AI strategist and advisor. Before founding NXTGN, Pieter worked at Deloitte as a senior data and AI strategy consultant, and he also held roles in innovation strategy for various businesses. At NXTGN, Pieter supports companies across industries in navigating the complexities of AI transformation, enabling them to incorporate AI into their strategies to gain a competitive advantage. In this capacity, he advises various companies in the printing industry on AI strategy. His approach emphasizes creating business value over merely improving productivity and tackling challenges in change, governance and talent in AI transformation. In addition to his advisory work, he provides AI strategy training at institutions like Ghent University, KU Leuven Continue and others, focusing on making AI accessible to business leaders.
Jules Lejeune
Managing director
Lejeune Association Management The Netherlands
Studied International Economics at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. After his graduation in 1987, Jules started as economic analyst at a bank in Amsterdam before joining Lejeune Association Management in 1990. In 2002, he took over the company from his father. Among the company’s 25 client associations, Jules has held responsibility for several international associations within the labelling and packaging industry, including, since 1998, FINAT, the European association for the label industry with over 600 members in 50 countries.
Joanna Stephenson
Managing Director
Think B2B Marketing United Kingdom
Joanna Stephenson is Managing Director of Think B2B Marketing, a leading international marketing and communications agency specialising in the print and packaging sectors. With over 30 years of commercial, R&D and marketing experience in the industry, she works with 35+ print and packaging OEMs, suppliers, and converters around the world in a strategic advisory role. She is also a former Director of FIAUK, a non-executive director, and a co-founder of Young People In Print, an initiative to change perceptions of the sector in order to attract and retain young talent.
Maria Vastag
Managing Consultant
Smithers United Kingdom
Maria Vastag is Managing Consultant at Smithers Consultancy, with 10 years in market research and consultancy, including seven years at Smithers. Maria has extensive industry expertise, and specialises in packaging, print and paper markets, offering insights in consultancy projects, market reports, webinars and conference presentations. She works closely with consultants, experts and analysts to deliver tailored business and market intelligence. She has a degree in Economics and International Business
Nikolaas Verhelst
Product Innovation Partner
VPK Group Belgium