Petcore Europe sets agenda for 2027 PET conference

Petcore Europe will hold its Annual Conference 2027 in Rome on 10–11 February, for the second consecutive year in the city. Organised in partnership with Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), the event will take the theme "Exploring the status of the PET value chain: insights into PPWR and the drive to circularity". It will bring together participants from across the PET value chain, European institutions and the business community to discuss regulatory, market and circularity challenges. Particular attention will be given to improving the collection and recycling of post-consumer PET. The conference is intended to facilitate dialogue between EU representatives and industry participants, including PET producers, packaging converters, recyclers, brand owners, waste management companies, retailers and representatives of related sectors.

"Our Annual Conference is now an established feature on the global PET industry calendar," said Petcore Europe chairman Antonello Ciotti. "Through our partnership with Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), now in its second year, I am delighted to share that we are able to offer delegates strong insights into the evolution of the PET market in Europe and around the world."

Regulation, markets and recycling systems

Discussions during the two-day event will address recently proposed amendments concerning the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Regulation (EU) 2022/1616. The programme will also present highlights from the 2026 PET State of Play study, which ICIS is currently preparing.

Further topics will include the implementation of deposit return systems (DRS), the outlook for trade defence instruments, standardisation and design for recycling. Participants will also discuss a new grading classification involving the European PET Bottle Platform and the Tray Circularity Evaluation Platform.

The agenda will cover a communications campaign, member involvement, advocacy updates and the development of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for polyester textiles. Petcore Europe working groups will present their contributions to improving compliance across the value chain with regulatory requirements and rapidly changing market conditions.

Innovation papers on the agenda

Innovation will remain part of the programme, with a limited number of selected Innovation Papers due to be presented during the conference.

"As a Brussels-based association of more than 30 years standing, Petcore Europe is dedicated to promoting the sustainable growth of PET as a preferred packaging material," Antonello Ciotti concluded. "We recognise that only though strong coordination between institutions and business can we ensure a genuine level playing field between EU and non-EU countries and deliver a sustainable economy across the EU."