Coca Cola, Co-Op, Asda, Marks & Spencer and Iceland will come together under one roof for the first time at Packaging Innovations 2018, to talk about the UK’s hottest topic – plastics in packaging. These leading brands will form a panel, as part of the show’s Big Plastics Debate, discussing the road ahead for packaging professionals and new approaches to plastic packaging.

With sustainable packaging and the reduction of plastics more prevalent within the media than ever, The Big Plastics Debate comes at an opportune moment to educate the packaging community on the challenges it faces, and the opportunities that will arise because of it. The session itself will be happening on day one of Packaging Innovations 2018, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 28 February & 1 March 2018.

The Big Plastics Debate will feature a highly anticipated panel discussion, focussing on two key areas – ‘the road ahead for packaging professionals’ and ‘developing new approaches to plastics in the face of increasing government and consumer pressure’. The panel will see Ian Schofield, Own Label & Packaging Manager at Iceland, joined by a host of industry experts, including Nick Brown, Head of Sustainability at Coca Cola European Partners; Iain Ferguson, Environment Manager at Co-op; Shane Monkman, Head of Procurement, Packaging & Operations at ASDA and Kevin Vyse, Senior Packaging Technologist & Circular Economy Lead at M&S.

James Drake-Brockman, Divisional Director of Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, comments: “All packaging professionals will know that sustainability is the most talked about subject in the UK at the moment. Theresa May has made it a Government initiative, whilst big brands are coming forward every day with new promises to make their packaging recyclable and renewable. Not only are we fully on board with this change in direction and culture, but we are also thrilled to have these big brands taking to the stage as part of our Big Plastics Debate.

“We have had sustainably at the heart of the show for over ten years now, but the problem is more prolific than ever, which is why are pleased to have the opportunity to bring some of the industry’s biggest players together in one panel to discuss the issue of plastic packaging. This debate is not to be missed!”

In addition to the panel discussion, The Big Plastics Debate will also include an interactive Q&A session with all of the panellists, plus presentations from host Martin Kersh, Executive Director at The Food Service Packaging Association and keynote speaker, Iceland’s Ian Schofield. During his presentation, Ian will detail Iceland’s ambitious plans to remove all plastics from its own-label packaging by 2023 and discuss the challenges ahead for the packaging supply chain in reaching that goal.

With being ‘green’ an increasingly important factor within the UK packaging sector, The Big Plastics Debate will join a host of other sustainability-focused features taking place live at the show. The popular Ecopack Challenge will be returning for 2018, offering companies that are creating innovative and sustainable products the chance to win the opportunity to develop an idea with Marks & Spencer. New for 2018, the Sustainability Trail will highlight which suppliers at the show are offering solutions and services designed to drive more sustainable values. The show will also feature a Sustainability Wall, which encourages visitors and exhibitors to share their own thoughts on how the industry can continue to develop sustainably. 

You can register to attend the debate for free here

For further information about The Big Plastics Debate or Packaging Innovations, please visit www.easyfairs.com/PIUK, or call +44 (0)20 3196 4429.