AIP Packaging Forum

Held alongside of Foodtech Packtech every two years, the 2025 edition of the AIP NZ Packaging Forum will bring together leading experts in all areas of packaging design and technology, recycling & reprocessing of materials, food loss and waste, sustainable packaging design, the importance of data and lifecycle assessment, save food packaging design and more.

Hear from over 22 speakers from across the Australasian region and take learnings back to your business. This forum is free to attend and all of industry is invited. Attendees will attain points towards their Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) program.

9:15 am - 10:15 am

Tue 2 Sep

State of Industry Update Globally & Locally

This session will provide a global perspective on sustainability, an update on New Zealand and Australian regulations on packaging waste & recovery, the proposed packaging reform regulations, updates on the Recycling Leadership Forum and the focus on aerosols, caps and lids, secondary thresholds for fibre and updates on the Australasian Recycling Labelling program.

10:20 am - 11:35 am

Tue 2 Sep

Recycling, Reprocessing and Recycled Content

This session will cover why New Zealand needs Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, existing voluntary schemes such as Caps & Lids, Food & Beverage Cartons and soft plastics, the use of recycling infrastructure in NZ to increase circularity and the recyclers perspective.

Lyn Mayes

Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme Manager

The Packaging Forum / Mad World

Debra Goulding

Sustainable Packaging Program Manager

Foodstuffs New Zealand

Ben McCulloch

Product Manager (rPET)

Martogg

Sarah Brown

Industry Relations Manager

Pact Group

Danial Yallop

Business Development Manager

Re.Group

Rob Langford

Head of Projects

Plastoil

11:40 am - 12:30 pm

Tue 2 Sep

The Importance of Data

With the ever-shifting regulatory world, the ability to access, own and manage your product and packaging data is critical. Brands needs to better understand packaging specifications, be able to track and trace products and also utilise lifecycle assessment when looking to shift from one material to another. Evidence-based, science-based information is crucial to making decisions moving forward. This session will look at the role of LCA in achieving packaging circularity, Leveraging Next Generation QR barcodes, Reporting needs for EPR and carbon disclosures and the associated data management challenges.

Timothy Grant

Founder & Director

Lifecycles

Richard Manaton

Chief Operating Officer

GS1 New Zealand

Emily Thomas

Snr Packaging Innovation Technologist

Fonterra Co-operative Group

1:15 pm - 2:05 pm

Tue 2 Sep

Best Practice Sustainable Packaging Design

This session will look at the important role of embedding Sustainable Packaging Design Guidelines into all packaging to drive circularity and business growth. This session will showcase what work is being undertaken in all sized businesses; from multinationals to start ups and will highlight some of the latest winners of the ANZ PIDA awards and WorldStar Packaging awards.

Sarah Yanez

Owner

Goldies Wholefoods

Sam Loader

New Product Development Manager

Apex Brands

Nasim Aflatoon

Sustainability Manager

Bunzl Asia Pacific

2:10 pm - 3:15 pm

Tue 2 Sep

How to create more Sustainable Food Systems

This session will discuss global and local programs that have been developed to reduce food loss & waste, food insecurity and food going to landfill. The true role that packaging plays in minimising food loss and waste will also be discussed and how designing intuitive save food packaging can not only improve shelf life but also improve food systems.

Nerida Kelton

Executive Director

Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP)

Jess Broun

Program & Account Manager

Kai Commitment

Blair Ward

Processing Director

Oceania TetraPak

Alan Adams

Sustainability Director

ANZ Sealed Air

3:20 pm - 4:20 pm

Tue 2 Sep

Renewable Material Advancements

This session will look at fibre, paper, cartonboard, corrugate, labels, wood fibre based packaging and how these materials can play an important role within sustainable packaging design guidelines. Fit for Purpose renewable material selection is not new, but the new technologies, uses and systems are advancing rapidly to make this a fast-growing area for discussion. The challenge it to ensure that pulpability thresholds are met, certifications are in place and the packaging is recycle ready at the start.