The UK’s largest event for the entire packaging community, Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print, returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 28 February & 1 March 2018. With the reduction of plastic packaging a current hot topic in the media, the event comes at a time when there is more attention on the packaging industry than ever before.
The two-day event, which shines a spotlight on the most cutting-edge innovations within the packaging industry, is once again calling for the most sustainable packaging solutions to come forward and take part in its highly anticipated Ecopack Challenge, which will run in collaboration with Marks & Spencer. The competition offers companies that are creating innovative and environmentally responsible products the chance to develop an idea with Marks & Spencer, as well as being crowned Ecopack Challenge champions. The Dragons’ Den style session will see four shortlisted companies demonstrate why they should be voted best in show, not only by an expert panel, but also the show’s interactive audience.
Kevin Vyse, Primary Foods Packaging Technologist & Packaging Innovation Lead at Marks & Spencer said, “Marks and Spencer is pleased to continue its support of the Ecopack Challenge and is looking forward to seeing what new sustainable packaging ideas the show has to offer this year.”
Entries are not restricted to exhibiting companies only. In fact, in the search for truly sustainable excellence, the show has opened up the Ecopack Challenge to non-exhibiting companies, who can participate at the event, as part of the Innovation Lab. The deadline for all Ecopack Challenge entries is Friday 2nd February and can completed by filling out the online application form.
Commenting on the Challenge, James Drake-Brockman, Divisional Director for Packaging at Easyfairs, said, “The Ecopack Challenge is open to anyone with a truly sustainable solution for packaging, and we welcome submissions from any companies that are creating innovative and sustainable offerings. We launched Ecopack back in 2008, when we first identified sustainability as becoming one of the biggest challenges facing the packaging industry. Ten years later, the issue of sustainability is more prolific than ever and we are excited at the prospect of discovering some of the very latest and most innovative new solutions available to the packaging community.”
New for 2018, the Innovation Lab will join the Ecopack Challenge, as part of a series of features aimed at enhancing visitor exposure to environmentally friendly packaging across a range of industries and inspiring them to take more creative and bold paths in future. This new area will showcase ground-breaking products, materials and services, providing visitors with the perfect platform and meet the great minds behind these ideas.
The Innovation Lab offers exhibiting and non-exhibiting companies the chance to showcase their products free of charge, with the winners being invited to speak as part of a panel on the Innovation Stage. The deadline for entries for Innovation Lab is 2nd February, with all sustainable or circular economy related products automatically being entered into the Ecopack Challenge. Companies can apply for Innovation Lab by filling out the online application form.
The winners of both the Ecopack Challenge and the Innovation Lab will be presented live at the show on the Innovation Stage.
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