Packaging Summit Europe 2008, the two-day conference for brand owners and packaging suppliers, designers, developers and service companies, have this week announced details of the conference programme and panel discussions topics to be held 1-2 July 2008 in Amsterdam.

This year's conference has a strong focus on sustainability issues, which are a primary concern for the European packaging community. Traceability of packaging materials through the supply chain, switch to eco-friendly technologies, use of biodegradable materials and the practice of transparent auditing and reporting are being demanded from manufacturers and package services companies by both retailers and consumers. And so it becomes paramount for them to have a forum where they can get updates, review and deliberate on the current trends and legislation when it comes to producing environmentally responsible packaging. To this end, the conference this year has included topics, such as: retailers' role in driving forward sustainable packaging, package reduction and efficient ways of recycling; new management systems for production of sustainable product packaging; waste management and its control mechanisms; product re-branding and aiming to satisfy consumers' demand for eco-friendly design etc.

Other sections of the conference will include sessions on the following topics: innovative technologies in packaging industry, current trends in retail and shelf-ready packaging, packaging design - from market research to creative concept, the economic situation in European countries and its effects on packaging industry growth and development.

Packaging Summit Europe has lined up a number of high profile speakers representing a diversity of industries; these include senior management of multinationals (Unilever, Campina, Sara Lee, Heraus), packaging technology specialists (Micropact, Seaquist Closures, Budelpack), design agencies specialising in developing innovative packaging (The Big Picture) and others.

The importance of integrating environmental concerns into the packaging development process will be discussed at the presentation by Steph Carter, Packaging Sustainability and Functional Capability Director of Unilever. Mr. Carter will present the views from a brand owner's perspective, which are largely determined by pressures put on the manufacturer by consumers and lobbying groups campaigning for sustainable packaging products. Unilever has for some time now adopted the policy of sustainable development, which transmits into the economic, social and environmental aspects of the business.

The company has been championing ways of minimizing packaging and also has been actively promoting recycling both in its home UK market and abroad. Mr. Carter will share with the delegates examples of how the company is adopting the policy of sustainable packaging. He will debate whether biodegradable materials can be implemented into mass product packaging with no compromise on food safety. In addition, his presentation will look at the financial issues that arise when eco-friendly technologies need to fit within the parameters of branding and its costs.

Another view from a large multinational will be presented in the section on future technology trends in packaging. Claudio Finol, Process Development Engineer from Campina, will delve into the dynamics of new product design and packaging with the materials available now and in the near future.