The Great Packaging Debates 2010

21 September 2010

The Smithers Pira Great Packaging Debates take expert commentary, lively debate and audience interactivity to a completely new level. Each panel of experts, thought leaders and high-profile industry representatives will be on hand at the Smithers Pira Packaging Summit on 5 & 6 October 2010 at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, London, to debate the most pressing questions facing the packaging industry today.

• Be at the forefront of the drivers and trends changing your industry
• Hear the biggest names in packaging and media debating the most controversial issues in 2010
• Join the debate: interactive polling and in-depth Q&A session
• Real-time audience interaction and surveys

Delegates and speakers from the 2-day Smithers Pira Packaging Summit will split into three groups to debate the following topics and then all will reconvene to present their findings and discuss the impact that this will have on the Packaging industry. All will have the opportunity to contribute to the Great Packaging Debates 2010.

What Do Global Economic and Consumer Trends Really Mean For Packaging? Led by
Oliver Sparrow, founder of The Challenge Network and Smithers Pira's Nick Waite.

• Global Economic 'Double Dip' Recession
• Rising Inflation in Europe/effects of the stimulus in the US
• Further M&A and consolidation for brand owners and retailers
• Further M&A and consolidation for raw materials suppliers and converters
• Rising costs of raw materials - pulp and oil
• Demographics in the Western World
• Demographics in BRIC emerging markets with emphasis on China and India
• Increasing regulation and legislation
• US, Euro and GBP exchange rates
• Supply chain and logistics costs and technologies
• The green economy - green power, green jobs, biopolymers, oil alternatives, sustainability agenda
• Outsourcing and Contract Packaging

What Does Sustainability Really Mean For Packaging?
Led by Michael Braungart of EPEA and pioneer of the "Cradle to Cradle" theory and Smithers Pira's Martin Kay.

• Changes in Packaging Waste Stream
• Increasing retailer pressure for 'sustainable suppliers'
• Biodegradable polymers in packaging applications
• Refillable, reusable and 'bring your own' packaging
• Light weighting and material reduction
• Recycled materials in packaging applications
• Sustainable and environmental marketing claims for product differentiation
• Increasing environmental regulation and legislation
• Local and near to customer supply chain and distribution techniques
• Biobased chemicals in packaging applications (inks, solvents, adhesives etc)
• Consumer demand for both convenience and eco-friendly packaging

How will the Future Retail Environment Change Packaging?
Led by Smithers Pira's senior consultant Simon Smith will lead the third debate group.

• Online and Home Shopping
• In store and point of sale marketing activity
• Improving shelf impact
• Extending shelf life
• Changes in supply chain and distribution networks
• Own brand and private label
• Ethical, organic and sustainable procurement
• Future store payment technologies
• Store size, design and layouts
• Consumer purchasing trends
• Retailer demographics: the big 4; discounters (Lidl, Aldi); niche (Fresh & Easy in the US);
• Will eastern Europe and other countries follow the consolidated UK model? What other models are there?

Who will be at the Packaging Summit?
Dell, Asda, Puma, EPEA, Coca Cola, Pepsico, Verdict Research, Interbrand, Wrap, McKinsey, European Commission and more.

Special guest keynotes include Professor Michael Braungart; pioneer of the Cradle to Cradle theory and Dr Oliver Sparrow; Director of the Challenge Network.

Visit www.Smithers Pirapacksummit.com for more info.

If you would like to see a particular topic covered in the Great Packaging Debates email robert.stead@smitherspira.com with your suggestions.