Agenda

Agenda

Workshop 20 May 2025 - free to attend Day 1 - Wednesday 21 May 2025 Day 2 - Thursday 22 May 2025

2:45pm

Registration and refreshments

3:00pm

Implementing EPR and single-use plastic ban in the UAE - Workshop

Implementing EPR and single-use plastic ban in the UAE - strategies and best practices

This workshop will delve into the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the recent single-use plastic ban in the UAE. Participants will gain insights into the regulatory framework, compliance requirements, and practical strategies for transitioning to sustainable alternatives. The session will feature expert presentations, interactive discussions, and case studies to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate these significant environmental regulations.

Who will attend?
This workshop is designed for policymakers, environmental consultants, business leaders, sustainability officers, and industry stakeholders involved in waste management, packaging, and environmental compliance.

Why should you attend?
Attending this workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the UAE's EPR regulations and single-use plastic ban. Participants will learn from industry experts about the latest compliance strategies, innovative solutions, and best practices for reducing plastic waste. This is an excellent opportunity to network with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on sustainable initiatives that align with the UAE's environmental goals.

Workshop moderator:
Shereen Shaheen, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Expert, Tetrapak

Speakers:
Gabriella Borgovan, Principal, Roland Berger
Tawfik El Kheshen Consultant, WMRA, Egypt
Monir Salem Bou Ghanem, Advisor - Environment Policy and Regulations, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

Panel discussion
Panelists:

Sara Jackson, Technical Director, Circular Packaging Association
Sebastian Frisch, Managing Director, Black Forest Solutions GmbH
Priya Sarma, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Head UAE and Beauty & Wellbeing Categories, Unilever (Business Coalition)
Leila Harmouch, Sustainability Manager, Napco

Q&A session with the panelists, speakers and workshop delegates

Additionally, we will have round table discussions in smaller groups to facilitate in-depth conversations and practical problem-solving.

4:00pm

End of workshop

8:00am

Registration and morning refreshments

8:55am

Smithers welcome

9:00am

Chair’s opening remarks

9:10am

SESSION 1 - REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PACKAGING MARKET TRENDS

Advancing sustainability in packaging in the Middle East (TBC)

Sara Jackson | Technical Director, Circular Packaging Association

9:30am

Global and regional overview of recent trends and developments in the global packaging industry

How big is the market – historic and current volumes and values
Where is it – regional overview
What drives it – key trends and influences, including consumer attitudes and pressures
Where is it going – forecast volumes and values
MENA single used plastic ban vs Europe - What does it mean for the packaging industry in Middle East & Africa?

Stephen Harrod | Consultant, Paper and Board, Packaging, Smithers

9:45am

KEYNOTE presentation

Jamila El Mir I Sustainable Transitions Policy and Strategy Expert, Dubai Environment and Climate Change Agency – invited

10:05am

Joint Q&A with speakers

10:20am

SESSION 2 - EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (EPR) AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA & EUROPE

Setting the scene talk and EPR pilot for packaging waste in the UAE

Sebastian Frisch | Managing Director, Black Forest Solutions

10:45am

Networking break

11:30am

Lessons learned from Europe on the contribution of EPR scheme to the development of reduction, reuse, recycling

Necessity and relevance of a clear and predictable legal framework
The role of a PRO to implement EPR scheme and develop a collective and responsible approach between stakeholders
Concrete examples of actions on reduction, reuse, and recycling

Anne-Sophie Michel I Innovation Manager, Citeo

12:00pm

EPR Q&A PANEL: What can we learn from each other?

Moderator: Shereen Shaheen, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Expert, Tetra Pak
Panellists:
Omneya Fawzy I Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, North Africa & Pakistan (MENAP),
Mondelez
Monir Salem Bou Ghanem I Advisor – Environment Policy and Regulations, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
Sebastian Frisch I Managing Director, Black Forest Solutions GmbH
Tawfik El Kheshen I Consultant, WMRA, Egypt

12:30pm

SESSION 3 - WASTE MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA –
COLLABORATIONS AND INVESTMENTS

The state of recycling infrastructure - challenges and opportunities in collection and sorting across the Middle East and Africa

Gabriella Borgovan | Principal UAE, Roland Berger

12:45pm

The close loop of PET plastic bottle in the UAE

Theofilos Alevizos, Senior Director HSE & Sustainability, Agthia and Jerome Viricel, General Manager, RECAPP by Veolia

1:00pm

Presentation title TBC

Speaker TBC, Horizon Technologies FZE

1:15pm

Joint Q&A with speakers

1:30pm

Networking lunch

2:30pm

Aluminium recycling coalition panel:

The panel will offer a comprehensive perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with increasing aluminium can recycling rates by bringing together key stakeholders from the value chain.

Moderator: Gabriella BorgovanI Principal, Roland Berger
Panellists:

Marc Georges Gerard Esteve I Executive Director, Commercial Operations, FM & International, BEEAH
Omar, Jabar I Regional Manager Legal & Sustainability, CANPACK
Mark John Siddorn I Strategic Planning and Business Performance Director, Tadweer Group

3:15pm

SESSION 4 - DESIGNING FOR RECYCLABILITY

Redesigning packaging

Mono material packaging
Alu-free packaging
Recycled content
Recycling and engineering compounding in a circular economy

Leila Harmouch I Sustainability Manager and Charbel Bechara I Operation Manager, Napco

3:35pm

Afternoon networking break

4:20pm

Rethink all you know - the next big leap in packaging solutions

Alu-free packaging and its benefits (environmental and for recycling)
Renewability and way forward
Recyclability / design for recycling
Local recycling solutions for aseptic beverage cartons and plastics packaging

Nicola Wagstyl | Nicola Wagstyl, SIG

4:40pm

SESSION 5 - MATERIAL INNOVATIONS AND CIRCULARITY

Barrier packaging - improved shelf life and lower costs

Benefits of gas barrier and EVAL®
Examples of packaging with improved shelf life and cost reduction
Setting up a top quality factory in Africa
PLANTIC® for paper-based compostable & plastic-based recyclable packages

Romain Luijkx I Market Development Engineer and Dr. Veysi Altun I Account Manager, Kuraray (Eval Europe)

4:55pm

Innovation in plastic modification additives to reduce the weight and improve the cycle time in PP thermoformed packaging

Synco de Vogel | Technology Manager Polyolefin Modification, Synthomer

5:10pm

Advances in Food Packaging 2025-2027

Dr Mike Cheetham | Head of Sustainability, Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC

5:25pm

Joint Q&A session with speakers

5:40pm

Chair’s closing remarks and end of day one

5:45pm

NETWORKING EVENING RECEPTION

6:00pm

17:45 - 19:15

8:00am

Registration and welcome refreshments

9:00am

Chair's opening remarks

9:10am

SESSION 6 - PPWR AND GLOBAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT PLASTIC WASTE

The business case for global rules to tackle plastic pollution

Where do the UN negotiations on an international legally binding instrument stand?
Why do businesses call for harmonisation of regulatory approaches addressing plastic products, circular design and EPR?
What are the key policy instruments that governments need to align on as part of the Global Plastics Treaty?
How can the Business Coalition help companies from across the plastics value chain to engage with policymakers in this process?

Priya Sarma | Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Head UAE and Beauty & Wellbeing Categories, Unilever (Business Coalition)

9:25am

EU sustainability-related regulations: where are we?

Rachida Semail | Partner, Keller & Heckman

9:40am

Joint Q&A session with speakers

10:00am

SESSION 7 - SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

9:50am

An overview of bioplastics, different biodegradation schemes and end of life options for plastic packaging and single use plastic products

There are many misunderstandings on what are bioplastics
End of life options for bioplastics are many, including recycling composting and anaerobic digestion
The chosen end of life options must be supported by infrastructure for collection and e.g. composting
The separation of food waste from waste streams should be integrated in the system
Waste separation is a critical and clear rules and legislation will be required for consumers

Hugo Vuurens | VP Business Development, CJ Biomaterials

10:05am

How bioplastics can support the Middle East’s transition to a circular economy

Bioplastics like PLA, is fully biodegradable and compostable, thus has lower carbon footprint and leaves no persistent microplastics in the environment. It is a preferred alternative for shorter life and Single use applications.
Globally, the bioplastics sector is growing at a faster rate and has proven to help to lessen the impact on the environment as well as limit the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Middle East, particularly UAE which hosted COP28 has envisioned to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, resulting in adoption of sustainable policies such as the UAE circular economy policy, Food security etc.
The growing population, tourism industry, GDP growth and per capita plastic consumption creates a need for adopting sustainable consumption practices. Lack of systematic plastic waste management infrastructure and SUP legislation further acts as a catalyst to adopt sustainable materials.
Emirates Biotech is the first of its kind in the Middle east set to market and manufacture the world's largest PLA production facility.

Prashant Lohade | Sales Development Manager, Emirates Biotech

10:20am

Q&A session

10:30am

Morning networking break

11:00am

SESSION 8 - BRANDS AND RETAILERS PERSPECTIVES

11:25am

BIG BRAND & RETAILER PANEL: Brands leading the way in sustainable packaging – focusing on innovations, industry insights, and the impact of circular solutions.

Panellists:
Cynthia Karam I Francise PACS Director MER, Coca Cola
Kaunain Shahidi I Procurement Manager (Group), Almarai
Maria Talu I Packaging Sustainability Program Manager, Mars

11:45am

SESSION 9 - NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MECHANICAL RECYCLING AND
FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS (FCM)

Presentation title TBC

Jeroen Adriaansens I Managing Director, Ravago Recycling ME and Jamil Firas Haddad I Deputy Chairman, Albayader

12:05pm

A recycler perspective – Case study

Majed Saeed Al Marzouqi | Recycling Director, Tadweer Group

12:25pm

Sustainability strategy (blueloop) is enabling customers to move towards reduction in packaging usage, as well as recyclability

Yury Shishkov | Senior Category Manager, Huhtamaki

12:45pm

Experience, practical solutions and database useful for plastic recycling and upcycling

Case studies illustrating the practical solutions adopted to ensure sustainability and safety in recycling processes and the design of safe and effective packaging
New technologies validation and management
Challenge test
IAS and NIAS testing

Dr. Marinella Vitulli | Owner & Director , Food Contact Center srl & Food Contact Services srl

1:05pm

SESSION 10 - NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CHEMICAL RECYCLING IN MENA REGION

Accelerating circular packaging from advanced recycling in MENA region

Incorporating PCR in contact sensitive applications
Some success cases
Potential boundaries & challenges

Bart Van Hoof | Global Marketing & Competence Leader Circular Economy , SABIC

1:25pm

Networking lunch

2:25pm

Exploring chemical recycling solutions for pet: a focus on glycolysis

Overview of various chemical recycling methods for PET: pyrolysis, hydrolysis, and glycolysis
Discussion of the pros and cons of each method, focusing on environmental impact, economic viability, and scalability.
In-depth focus on glycolysis, including its process of depolymerizing PET using ethylene glycol
Examination of glycolysis's efficiency in recycling post-consumer PET waste

Jan van Kisfeld | Group Managing Director, revalyu Group

2:45pm

SESSION 11 - DIGITAL INNOVATIONS

Transform the packaging into the future - the next level of on-demand consumer engagement

Variable data printing allows brands to reduce the time from "design to shelves" and to increase personalisation
Differentiation in the shelf helps to increase sales
Disruptive connected packaging solution for on-demand consumer engagement
Digital platform push sustainability and helps to fulfil new market regulations
The combination of both worlds is THE Game Changer for the packaging industry

Thomas Vollmuth | Head of Brand Owner Management, Koenig & Bauer AG

3:05pm

The technology revolution in packaging: how AI and connected experiences are transforming consumer behaviour

As packaging evolves from a passive container to an interactive medium, new technologies are fundamentally changing how brands connect with consumers. This session explores how AI, connected packaging, and digital experiences are creating unprecedented opportunities for consumer engagement and behaviour change.

New technologies are transforming packaging from a passive container into an intelligent communication channel, with AI and connected experiences creating unprecedented opportunities for consumer engagement while supporting sustainability goals through digital-first education and reduced physical waste. Drawing from successful implementations including Sunny Oil's AI-powered recipe platform, this session explores how brands can leverage GPT-4, DALL-E 2, and gamification to create meaningful consumer interactions that drive behavioral change. The presentation will share practical insights on technical implementation, cost considerations, and ROI metrics, providing actionable takeaways for brands looking to innovate their packaging strategy while meeting environmental objectives.
Jenny Stanley | Founder & Managing Director, Appetite Creative

3:25pm