As food brands race to reduce waste and meet consumer and regulatory demand for sustainable solutions, packaging has emerged as both a critical challenge and an exciting frontier for innovation. This session will spotlight some of the latest breakthroughs in food-contact packaging materials—from compostable and biodegradable options to improvements in recyclability. Hear from packaging innovators, brands, and materials experts who are pioneering the next generation of sustainable packaging solutions that balance functionality, safety, circularity, and consumer needs. Learn how these developments are reshaping packaging design, infrastructure compatibility, and the overall footprint of the food system.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Discover emerging food packaging materials that reduce reliance on virgin plastics and improve end-of-life outcomes.
2. Understand how brands are aligning packaging innovation with performance, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
3. Gain insights into infrastructure challenges, technical considerations, and opportunities for scaling sustainable packaging solutions in food retail and service sectors.