Modern Packaging 2026: PPWR, investment and recycling

On 15 September 2026, the 5th International Modern Packaging Conference was held at the Warsaw House of Technology NOT as part of Packaging Day 2026. The event programme included 15 presentations and an expert panel, with speakers from Poland, Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia. The conference focused on the impact of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR, on the industry value chain, financing green investment, risk management and the safety of production processes. Other subjects included packaging design and marking, traceability, material reduction, recycling and the circular economy. A separate part of the programme was devoted to distinctions awarded by the Polish Chamber of Packaging, including titles for a representative of the academic community and a company, certificates for new member companies and an award in the diploma thesis competition.

PPWR and the industry's outlook to 2030

The opening lecture was delivered by Antro Säilä of the Finnish Packaging Association, president of EPIC. In his presentation, "PPWR in practice: will the European regulatory tsunami strengthen or weaken the Union?", he addressed the practical consequences of the new regulations for the European market.

The "Vision 2030+" session was opened by Iva Werbynská of Packaging Institute Syba, WPO European Ambassador. Her presentation, "PPWR Outlook: Innovation Under Pressure Across the Packaging Value Chain", concerned regulatory pressure on innovation throughout the packaging value chain. Professor Sandra Muižniece-Brasava of LBTU University presented challenges and solutions for the packaging industry in the Baltic region in connection with the start of PPWR implementation.

Investment financing and risk management

The second session was devoted to financing green investment and risk management. Bartosz Silczak of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego discussed financial instruments supporting sustainable development and the transition towards a circular economy. Jakub Jóźwiak of BNP Paribas Bank Polska presented the issue of financing innovation before the first profit is achieved and the role of banks as growth partners.

Magdalena Barylska of take-e-way GmbH discussed the future of packaging in Europe, comparing design for recycling with design driven by regulatory requirements. Patryk Mazurkiewicz of Socjusz Broker Ubezpieczeniowy addressed domino risk and methods of protection against its consequences. Jarosław Czerniak, CEO of AFFS, presented methods for improving fire safety in packaging and printing production processes. Arkadiusz Łagowski of Chojnacka & Łagowski Doradcy Podatkowi discussed inspections of B2B relationships by the Polish National Labour Inspectorate, with particular attention to mixed teams and management staff.

Design, 2D codes and marking

The innovation and technology session covered 2D codes, packaging functions and PPWR-compliant marking. Magdalena Bednarkiewicz of GS1 Polska explained the principles of creating correct 2D codes in accordance with GS1 standards. Maciej Konopka, associate professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, discussed whether the various functions of packaging can be reconciled from a designer's perspective. Arkadiusz Jędrzejczyk of Druk Serwis 24 presented solutions intended to reduce material use while maintaining full packaging traceability.

Recycling, packaging reduction and deposit return system

During the session on sustainable packaging development, Krzysztof Garman of Circular Packaging Design and Ergis presented the Tape2Tape solution in the context of reusing packaging materials. Dominika Bachan-Matulska of Jeronimo Martins Polska discussed a practical approach to packaging reduction. Tomasz Siewierski of BOO Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań analysed whether the Polish recycling system is prepared for three parallel reforms: extended producer responsibility, the deposit return system and PPWR.

The conference also included an expert panel entitled "The packaging industry and PPWR: data, standards, recycling". Its participants were Elżbieta Hałas, president of GS1 Polska; Zbigniew Skowronek, president of the Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling; and Magdalena Klimaszewska, deputy director of the Trademark Department at the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland. The discussion was moderated by Krzysztof Niczyporuk, president of the Polish Chamber of Packaging.

photo: Polish Chamber of Packaging

Distinctions awarded by the Polish Chamber of Packaging

Professor Ryszard Cierpiszewski received the "Distinguished Service to the Packaging Industry" title. The "Company of Distinguished Service to the Packaging Industry" title was awarded to Fano. Certificates were also presented to representatives of new member companies during the event.

The third prize in the Polish Chamber of Packaging's 2025 diploma thesis competition went to Aleksandra Gałkiewicz of Warsaw University of Technology.

Event partners and patrons

The conference's silver partners were BNP Paribas Bank Polska, GS1 Polska, Socjusz Broker Ubezpieczeniowy, AFFS and the Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling. Other partners included Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, BOO Organizacja Odzysku Opakowań, Chojnacka & Łagowski Doradcy Podatkowi, take-e-way and Druk Serwis 24. AVG Lab sponsored the coffee breaks.

Honorary patronage was provided by the Polish Federation of Engineering Associations NOT, the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland, the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, the Polish Chamber of Flexographers, Poznań School of Logistics, the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics at AGH University of Krakow, Poznań University of Economics and Business, the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Polish Committee for Standardization, the Warsaw Branch of the Association of Polish Mechanical Engineers and Technicians, and the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology.

Media patrons were FoodFakty, Chemia i Biznes, Plastech.pl, Świat Druku, RynekPapierniczy.pl, Przegląd Papierniczy, Przemysł Chemiczny and Świat Poligrafii Professional.