As the global threat of plastic pollution continues to dominate the headlines, the race to develop the next generation of sustainable food packaging is intensifying.

According to estimates published by the UK government, every year, more than 150 million tonnes of plastic waste pollute the world’s oceans and this summer ministers from the G20 countries signed a landmark voluntary deal to try and tackle the problem.

In response to the environmental crisis, Food Matters Live 2019 will bring industry leaders and innovators together on the 19 and 20 November at ExCeL London, to explore the challenges, issues and progress in creating viable alternatives to plastic.

Packaging innovations

Join forward-thinking industry insiders to discuss innovations in production, recyclable alternatives and sustainable packaging. In a dedicated Food Matters Live seminar stream they will share industry insights, innovative R&D, and discuss how the sector can meet the challenges ahead.

Can the industry adapt to create a transparent and sustainable packaging system? Whom are the pioneers accelerating change with innovative packaging technologies, and how can we shift mindsets on reusables and recycling?

Over two days experts will provide an in-depth and insightful look examining how to tackle the use of plastics in the global food and drink industry, including debates, case studies and global innovations around sustainable packaging.

The speaker line-up includes Chris Dalay(Vice President, supply Cchainsustainability, PepsiCo Europe &Sub Saharan Africa), Andrew Stephen (CEO, Sustainable Restaurant Association), Julian Hunt (Coca-Cola European Partners) and Paul Foulkes-Arellano (founder of the Sustainable Design Alliance).

There will be inspiring case studies from Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, which aims to be plastic-free by 2020 and an unmissable talk by Julian Hunt, from Coca-Cola, who will outline how the company is working to recycle all its packaging.

And join Marco Lucisano (Senior Vice President, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden), Paula Chin (Sustainable Materials Specialist, WWF UK), Elena Parisi (Sales and Marketing Director, Recycling Technologies), and James Bull (Head of Packaging, Tesco) for a Q&A session discussing the limitations of recycling and how can we overcome the obstacles?

Future innovation

As foodservice packaging looks for innovations which will change the way the industry handles waste, Felix Gummer, director of Sancroft will chair a seminar session showcasing some of the latest sustainable packaging solutions being developed by food tech start-ups to transform the sector and deliver planet-friendly alternatives.

Hear about the innovative technology developed by Cait Murray, the co-founder of Cuan Tec, which turns waste langoustine shells into recyclable food packaging. And Damien Lee, co-founder of SoluBlue, will explain how they are trying to combat single-use plastics by developing biodegradable cups and straws that start to breakdown as soon as they are thrown away.

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

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.

Food Matters Summit

Running in parallel with Food Matters Live this year, in ExCeL's prestigious Platinum Suite, the new 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.

Confirmed speakers include Dr Sandhya Sriram, co-founder and CEO of Shiok Meats who will be explaining how her company growing sustainable seafood and meat using stem cells. Patrick Holden, founder and chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust who will be discussing if vegans are the ultimate disruptors of the future and what future there might be for plant-based food businesses. Michael La Cour, managing director of IKEA Food Services AB will join an industry debate to explore how the food and drink sector can embrace new practices and technologies to eliminate food waste.

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