sophistication with human-centred design are not only more efficient but also more relevant in a marketplace that values transparency, accessibility, and environmental responsibility in equal measure. Regulatory and Policy Drivers The role of regulation in shaping packaging strategy cannot be overstated. Across Europe and the UK, schemes like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are pushing cost burdens back onto producers, demanding higher recyclability rates, incorporation of recycled content, and fees for non-compliant packaging. At the event, Shane Doris from DAERA (Northern Ireland) delivered a strong message: “It has been a Herculean effort involving politicians, officials, packaging industry representatives, and other stakeholders from across the UK. I can think of no better event to launch PackUK, and I look forward to healthy discussions with the many value chain professionals attending”. These regulatory shifts make responsiveness critical. Printers must be ready to support clients in compliance, providing accessible data about material composition, recyclability certifications, end-of-life strategies, and audit trails. Doing so can transform printers from commodity suppliers to strategic partners in a regulated ecosystem. Scale, Collaboration, and Ecosystems No printer succeeds in packaging alone. The complexity of material sourcing, testing, certification, digital integration, compliance, and consumer insight demands collective problem-solving. Across the industry, organisations, associations, and event partners have recognised that collaboration and shared learning are essential if packaging is to evolve sustainably and efficiently. One recent example of this openness was the release of more than 18 hours of recorded educational content following the 2025 Packaging Innovations & Empack event. Making these sessions freely available allowed professionals across the supply chain to access insights from leading experts and policymakers, reinforcing a culture of transparency and shared progress. It reflects a broader movement within the packaging community, a recognition that tackling environmental responsibility, design innovation, and regulatory change requires not just competition, but cooperation. This willingness to share expertise and resources is helping smaller or regional print houses expand their capabilities, building a more informed and resilient packaging ecosystem overall. A Vision for Printers Entering Packaging For printers wishing to break into and establish themselves in packaging, this is the landscape they face: • They must invest in materials and processes that are aligned with environmental responsibility, without compromising print quality or functionality. • Their hardware must offer flexibility, modularity, and the ability to adapt to new substrates and finishing steps. • Their software investment must be holistic, spanning workflow, design, supply chain, and data connectivity. • They must think inclusively, designing for all users and accessibility from the start. • They need to become conversant with regulation, able to support clients’ compliance needs proactively. • They should track and engage with emerging innovations, startups, and award winners, both to partner and to place strategic bets. • Collaboration is essential. No single actor can master material science, digital integration, regulatory expertise, and consumer insight alone. Looking Ahead As the packaging sector continues to expand within print, the successful players will be those who see packaging not as a sideline, but as a transformational growth zone.The discussion and innovations within the industry was showcased at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025, and the perspectives shaped by the Easyfairs Packaging Council, point toward a future where printers can become enablers of sustainability, interactivity, and brand value. With regulatory pressure mounting and consumer expectations accelerating, printers who adapt now, by adopting the right combination of materials, hardware, software, inclusive design, and partnerships, will not only gain traction but help shape what packaging becomes next. ▼Attractions at Packaging Innovations include the Start-Up Zone, Discovery Theatre, and Exhibitor Innovation Gallery Over 3,000 brands attend Packaging Innovations & Empack 3,000+ 64 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 357 - November | December 2025 PACKAGING OPPORTUNITIES
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