London Packaging Week 2024 celebrated as major success

London Packaging Week 2024 was celebrated as a major success, with strong industry engagement, innovative displays, and high-level discussions setting the tone for future growth.

Event organiser Easyfairs has hailed London Packaging Week 2024 as a "real success," with early indications suggesting a strong upward trend in overall visitor numbers.

The two-day event also took the plaudits of many of the 190+ exhibitors and thousands of visitors, with vibrant discussions, innovative showcases, and high-profile industry participation underscoring the event's impact. The show, which saw a strategic return to a mid-week schedule, brought together top-tier exhibitors, government agencies, and thought leaders, setting a strong foundation for future growth.

Senior Marketing Manager at Easyfairs UK, Jamies Montero MacColl, said: "Moving the show back to Wednesday-Thursday has been a real success for us. You can tell people are engaged in the content and conferences, and all of the stages have been really busy. The exhibitors are delighted, and lots of high-level conversations are happening. The award winners are delighted, giving them richly deserved credibility to move forward with.

"Overall, it's been a real success, and as the organiser, we're incredibly happy with how it has turned out. Our happiness stems from the happiness of our clients, the exhibitors and the quality of visitors, which make it attractive for exhibitors to come to London Packaging Week. It's now time to set our sights on October 2025 and ensure we can continue this ascent."

Defra was present at London Packaging Week 2024, as an opportunity to engage with the packaging industry on its role in relation to the environment.

Margaret Bates, who heads up the government agency's Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Scheme, was involved in an entertaining conversation with Foodservice Packaging Association Executive Director Martin Kersh, which asked if regulation is stifling creativity in the packaging industry. Speaking after the session, Margaret referenced the type of products and developments on show at London Packaging Week 2024 and concluded: "If anything, the opposite is true; innovation is being prioritised in order to respond to new and evolving regulations."

Jude Allan, Interim Managing Director at OPRL, added: "It has been fantastic, and it's so nice to see lots of people and just have some really interesting conversations. I feel like the conversations around EPR are really interesting, and there are still some people who are just finding out about it, which is an important part of what we've been doing."

Returning exhibitor Eviosys, a metal packaging specialist, delivered two packed out sessions as part of the education programme on day two, detailing the benefits and nascent demand to switch to a fully recyclable packaging format such as metal.

Speaking on the company's stand on day two, Matthew Brimble, Promotional Packaging NPD Manager, confirmed the positive reaction to the company's message and strong conversations that he and his colleagues had held with the supply chain over the two days of London Packaging Week 2024.

On its stand, Eviosys also showcased sample tins decorated to represent the trends it expects to see over the next couple of years, including a prototype leather-effect coating.

Fresh from the conference stage, Melvin Jay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at GUNNA Drinks, the 'UK's First' aluminium bottled 'immune boosting' lemonades, said: "These shows are essential. There are just so many surprising connections that people will make here. I could come here and think, who or what am I going to see that will be valuable to me – well, it's a heck of a lot. You meet people, get new ideas, even just the joy of walking around and checking out what the exhibitors can do."

Paper-based material suppliers Holmen Iggesund and Tullis Russell had numerous conversations about developing and transitioning to sustainable packaging options. Tullis Russell again partnered with Notpla to showcase their joint development of sustainable foodservice packaging options made out of seaweed and plants and showed off other developments in its product range for labels and consumer packaging.

Holmen Iggesund meanwhile presented its Touching Tomorrow sample box - a portfolio of materials, techniques and designs with the future of packaging firmly in mind - as well as showcasing its partnership with Yangi, to explore the opportunities of bio-based and renewable packaging for the cosmetic and beauty industry.

For first-time exhibitor Holts Textiles, London Packaging Week 2024 was an opportunity for the company to showcase its history as a 160-year-old business and the latest innovations in its product portfolio, such as beauty and personal care products.

The company's product and marketing manager, Kelly Beckett-Merlo, said: "This is our first-ever exhibition and we are very happy with the response we have had from those visiting our stand.

"We have been particularly happy to show brands that textiles can be both sustainable and luxurious."

Holts is to follow on from its presence at London Packaging Week with a stand at Paris Packaging Week early in 2025, as the company seeks to further its reputation and footprint in international markets.

Steve Cumley, Customer Manager at CarbonQuota™, said: "It has been a very successful show. A lot of strong contacts and connections have been made, and we'll be back next year. The fact we have an automated product puts us in a unique position in the world of carbon measurement. We know that different legislation is coming in, and with that legislation, you will have to disclose your carbon emissions – so third-party verification is paramount."

The inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards honoured groundbreaking designs, including Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume, Highland Park's 54-year-old decanter, Coca-Cola's label-free Sprite Naked, and Altra's groundbreaking Altra Box.

Bowmore, one of two Premium and Luxury Drinks winners, were represented on the day by Malcolm Swindell Strategic Innovation Lead at Suntory Global Spirits.

He said: "As custodians of Bowmore, it's so special to be recognised by the judges of London Packaging Week. Firstly, we'd like to thank our partners at Aston Martin. The two teams shared a vision to bring together the very best in technical expertise and creative thinking – to push boundaries and develop something truly special. As a unique elevation to the commercially released Bowmore Arc-52, the Makume edition allowed us to release an exc-VAT price of £187,000 at auction, with all of the proceeds returning to communities in Bowmore's home in Isla."

Elsewhere, on a blockbuster day two, organisers Easyfairs announced that this year's Exhibitor Innovation Gallery winner is the Daisy Top™ Refill System by Meadow.