The Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum returns to Brussels from 24 to 26 March 2026, positioning itself once again as a key meeting point for Europe’s packaging sector at a moment of profound regulatory and economic change. Hosted at the Thon Bristol Hotel, the conference arrives as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) moves from policy to implementation, forcing companies across the value chain to rethink materials, systems and business models.

For more than three decades, the forum has been recognised as a practical, solutions-oriented event rather than a platform for abstract sustainability ambitions. The 2026 edition reflects this approach with a tightly structured three-day programme designed to address the realities of compliance, cost and competitiveness in European packaging markets.

Day one is dedicated to regulatory realities. Sessions will explore PPWR compliance timelines, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) harmonisation across all 27 EU member states, restrictions on PFAS, and the implications of the Green Claims Directive for packaging economics. These discussions aim to clarify how regulatory pressure is reshaping investment decisions, packaging design and material choices.

Innovation takes centre stage on day two, with a focus on the technologies expected to shape the next decade of packaging sustainability. Topics include AI-powered sorting systems, the economic trade-offs between chemical and mechanical recycling, digital product passports, and the real-world challenges of scaling reuse models from city-level pilots to national systems.

The forum brings together a broad mix of stakeholders whose perspectives are increasingly interdependent. Speakers from major brands and producers such as Mars, Amazon, Nestlé and ExxonMobil will share how their packaging strategies are evolving under regulatory and consumer pressure. Representatives from the European Commission will provide insight into upcoming policy developments, while material innovators will present advances in areas such as seaweed-based packaging and fibre composite solutions. Waste management professionals will add a grounded perspective by demonstrating what works in collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure.

On 24 March, ahead of the main conference, participants can also attend an optional EPR Toolkit Workshop. Chaired by the Managing Director of EXPRA, this full-day intensive session is designed for professionals navigating complex EPR frameworks across multiple markets, covering topics from eco-modulation strategies to the integration of reuse systems.

Overall, the Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum 2026 positions itself as a strategic event for packaging professionals facing the intersection of regulation, sustainability and economics. Whether the priority is compliance, material innovation or building circular business models, the forum aims to provide actionable insights to help companies turn regulatory pressure into long-term competitive advantage.