London Packaging Week Strengthens Role as UK’s Leading Cross-Industry Packaging and Policy Platform

London Packaging Week is set to return to Excel London on September 16 and 17, 2026, positioning itself as a primary hub for packaging innovation and regulatory policy. The event highlights a significant shift toward industry-wide collaboration, bringing together major trade associations and global brands to address urgent challenges like sustainability and circular economy requirements. This year’s expansion of its strategic partner network underscores the event's role in shaping the future of the UK’s packaging landscape through shared expertise and collective action.

The 2026 edition of London Packaging Week features a significantly expanded strategic partner network, incorporating influential bodies such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Food and Drink Federation (FDF), and WRAP. These new additions join long-standing partners like the British Plastics Federation and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association to create a unified platform for discussing materials innovation and commercial strategy. Sema Tezel Basbug, Head of Marketing at Easyfairs UK, emphasized that the industry is becoming too interconnected for organizations to operate in isolation, making the event a critical venue for challenging assumptions and forming practical directions for the sector.

A central focus of the event will be the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Esther Carter, Chief Strategy Officer at PackUK, is scheduled to deliver a keynote session titled “Next steps for industry in the evolution of EPR,” which will explore the transition from regulatory readiness to practical delivery. This focus on policy is further supported by a dedicated networking breakfast hosted by WRAP on September 16, aimed at senior industry voices looking to advance circular economy solutions and sustainability progress.

The event expects to draw over 5,700 visitors and feature more than 220 exhibitors and 90 expert speakers. High-profile participating brands span multiple sectors, including retail giants like Amazon and Tesco, luxury names such as Jo Malone and Selfridges, and FMCG leaders like PepsiCo and Mars. By bringing together these diverse stakeholders under one roof, London Packaging Week aims to move beyond mere discussion to deliver tangible changes in packaging design, materials, and environmental impact across the UK market.