When it comes to the big questions about the future of the packaging industry, Food Matters Live 2019 continues to set the agenda.

Sustainable design solutions, innovative R&D tackling plastic pollution, consumer-driven trends and more will be on show at the two day event on 19 and 20 November at ExCeL London.

Supported by the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association (BCMPA) the event will also include exhibitors from across the food and drink sector, live theatre demonstrations attractions plus networking and new business opportunities.

Design innovation

Of particular interest to packaging innovators will be the Food Matters Live 2019 education programme covering six inspirational streams – including a focus on new and emerging packaging innovations.

Sessions include how the industry is transforming to create a transparent and sustainable packaging system, who are the pioneers accelerating change with innovative packaging technologies and how the industry can shift mindsets on reusables and recycling.

There will be inspirational case studies and talks by innovative packaging pioneers including Dr Cait Murray, the co-founder of Cuan Tec, which turns waste langoustine shells into recyclable food packaging. And Damien Lee, co-founder of SoluBlue, who is tackling single-use plastics with a range including biodegradable cups and straws, which start to breakdown as soon as they are thrown away.

Helping brands to stay on top of the ever-changing pace of innovation, expert speakers will provide valuable insights and new perspectives on the latest trends disrupting packaging design. Chaired by  Paul Foulkes-Arellano, founder of the Sustainable Design Alliance this session will include talks by Mike Webster, director of 3D Structure at 1HQ Brand Agency, who will look at how packaging design will evolve to meet the current and future needs of consumers.

Rupert Wyllie, principal at Wyllie Projects, will examine how to improve the environmental performance of packaging and Maria Coronado Robles, senior consultant in natural resources at Euromonitor International Sustainability, will take a 360 look at a holistic approach to sustainable packaging.

Other sessions will look at how the industry is working together to create a sustainable packaging system, pioneering change with the development of new eco-friendly materials and innovative packaging technologies.

And packaging professionals will not want to miss seminar sessions looking at opportunities for manufacturers with the growing e-grocery movement and smart packaging solutions.

Commercial connections

At the heart of Food Matters Live 2019 is a series of unique commercial and networking opportunities for packaging innovators looking to do business and introduce their products to influential buyers.

These include the opportunity to host your own networking space through Match Hub-Spots. Perfect for companies who don’t feel a traditional exhibition stand is the right fit the Hub provides with a private base that can be used to arrange meetings as well as showcase innovative products and design.

Each Hub-Spot package also includes free access to Meet the Buyer, where the Food Matters Live team will help arrange one to one meetings with buyers and distributors from some of the UK's largest organisations, supermarkets, boutique outlets and food service providers.

The 'Match – meet the buyer' service is a chance for businesses to be introduced to industry decision-makers from companies including Allied Bakeries, BidFood, Costco, through to M&S, Waitrose, Elior and Selfridges.

This dedicated matchmaking opportunity can only be pre-booked at www.foodmatterslive.com/match

Food Matters Live takes place at ExCeL London on 19 and 20 November 2019. Register at www.foodmatterslive.com/2019

Food Matters Summit

Running in parallel with Food Matters Live this year, in ExCeL's prestigious Platinum Suite, the inaugural Food Matters Summit will bring together more than 100 top-level international speakers to lead a debate on the key issues for the global food and drink sector.

From a session celebrating the top 30 disruptors rethinking the way we source, produce, package and distribute food to the race to develop alternative proteins as more people reduce their meat intake, the Food Matters Summit offers delegates unique learning and networking opportunities.

Inspirational sessions include a look at next generation food manufacturing and supply chains. In a world where customer tastes and trends change rapidly, food manufacturers need to embrace technology. But what does that really mean?

This session anticipates the ways in which food manufacturing will be revolutionised by the impact of technology – robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, nanotechnology, blockchain, intelligent supply chain management, and of course, the Internet of Things.

Speakers include Simon Blackmore, Professor Emeritus, Harper Adams University (UK), Kimberly Matenchuk, Senior Director, GE Digital Europe GE Digital Europe (UK), DrStefan Meyer, Executive Director, InnoLab Engineering (Switzerland), Johan Jorgensen, Partner, Sweden Food Tech (Sweden) and Magnus Johansson, CEO, Coop Sverige (Sweden).

Registration is now open at www.foodmatters.co.uk/summit

For further information about Food Matters Summit, please contact Judith Doherty at judith.doherty@foodmatterslive.com or on 07976 923133.

For further information about Food Matters Live 2019 please contact Jane Lu at jane.lu@foodmatterslive.com

Notes to editors:

The sixth Food Matters Live takes place on 19-20 November 2019 at ExCeL London.
This unique event brings together the food and drink industry, retailers, foodservice providers, government, and those working in nutrition and health.
In addition to an extensive exhibition showcasing innovative ingredients and brands and products, Food Matters Live offers a multi-stream education programme featuring hundreds of speakers covering wide-ranging topics – from public health, sustainable diets to the future of better-for-you food and drink.

The inaugural Food Matters Summit takes place on 19th and 20th November 2019 at ExCeL London. A full list of event streams, sessions and speaker profiles can be found at www.foodmatters.co.uk/summit

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