Paris Packaging Week expanded its conference programme for its 2026 edition, bringing together more than 100 international experts across more than 150 sessions. At the heart of the agenda is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which organisers describe as the defining framework shaping packaging strategy for the next decade.

“With the introduction of the PPWR, the packaging industry is entering a new era of responsibility,” said Christelle Anya, Content and Community Director of Paris Packaging Week. She noted that requirements around recyclability, reuse, recycled content, packaging reduction and end-of-life transparency will become non-negotiable by 2030 and 2035. The 2026 programme is designed to help marketing, design and innovation teams translate regulation into practical, competitive solutions.

Across the conference, sessions such as Navigating the European Framework, Rethinking the Material Cycle for 2030, and Reuse and Recycled Content: What the PPWR Really Changes aim to provide operational clarity on regulatory expectations. These are complemented by sector-specific tracks that examine how compliance intersects with brand value, consumer perception and technical feasibility.

In luxury packaging, discussions will explore the balance between creativity and regulation, including a Fedrigoni-led panel with Maison Chloé informed by research conducted with Bain & Company. Additional sessions will focus on eco-design, material choice, and end-of-life management for premium brands, where perceived value and coherence remain critical.

The beauty programme places strong emphasis on reuse systems, neuroscience, and materials innovation. Highlights include the presentation of two years of real-world testing by the Cosmetic Deposit Coalition, alongside sessions examining how consumers perceive reusable packaging and how recycled content can be safely integrated into cosmetic applications in line with PPWR targets.

Premium beverages and aerosols will also receive focused attention, with sessions examining consumer perception of reuse in glass, evolving dispensing behaviours, and the technical implications of new formulations and compressed gas systems. Design and marketing content will be anchored by the Pentawards Festival, addressing cultural codes, emotional engagement, and new visual narratives emerging under sustainability constraints.

With standout speakers spanning brand leaders, academic researchers, and material experts, Paris Packaging Week 2026 positions itself as a pivotal edition for understanding how regulation, technology, and design are converging. The event takes place 5–6 February 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with the Innovation Awards Gala on 4 February. Visitor registration is open and free of charge at parispackagingweek.com.