The packaging industry is entering one of its most significant periods of change in recent memory. Over the next 12 to 24 months, businesses across the UK will continue adapting to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), preparations for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), evolving sustainability requirements and the wider impact of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) on companies operating across Europe.
For packaging professionals, these changes are creating new challenges. For brands, manufacturers and retailers, they are creating entirely new conversations.
Packaging is a business-wide priority
Packaging decisions are no longer sitting solely within packaging departments. Increasingly, they involve sustainability teams, procurement specialists, finance departments, compliance managers and operations leaders. What was once viewed primarily as a packaging issue has become a business-wide priority.
This shift is already being felt across sectors including food and beverage, beauty, pharmaceuticals, retail and ecommerce. However, what makes this particularly interesting is where many of these conversations are taking place.
The North of England has become home to a significant concentration of manufacturers, retailers, fulfilment operators and consumer brands. From food production facilities and pharmaceutical operations to ecommerce distribution centres and beauty product manufacturers, the region plays a central role in the UK's packaging ecosystem.
As legislation places greater emphasis on reporting, recyclability and operational efficiency, collaboration between brands, suppliers and packaging experts is becoming increasingly important. Businesses are looking for practical solutions, clearer guidance and stronger partnerships that can help them adapt to changing requirements.
This changing landscape is one of the reasons why events focused on connecting suppliers with end users are becoming increasingly relevant.
Taking place on 10-11 November 2026 at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, UKPackaging Expo will bring together packaging suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and brand owners from across food and beverage, retail, ecommerce, pharmaceuticals, beauty and industrial sectors. At a time when legislation is forcing businesses to rethink packaging strategies, the need for practical conversations has never been greater.
Visit https://ukpackagingexpo.co.uk to register your interest and for more info.
