How can packaging be produced more sustainably, compliant with regulations, while being profitable for industry? This question was the focus of the Packaging Dialogue Days Europe on 24 June 2026, in Salzburg and on June 25, 2026 at Kiefel in Freilassing. The event brought together decision-makers from the packaging industry, brand companies, retailers, and technology and material partners along the value chain.
The newly opened Freilassing Customer Innovation Center offers hands-on experience with sustainable, cost-effective, future-proof packaging solutions.
Guided by the principle “Kiefel shapes the future of packaging technology – together with partners, customers and talents”, the company has created a platform for professional communication on current challenges in the industry: from PPWR, EFSA and recyclability to food contact applications, automation, material efficiency and new fiber and polymer solutions.
“The challenges facing the packaging industry can only be solved together. That’s why we at Kiefel are more than just a technology partner: We offer a platform for open exchange along the entire value chain, in order to develop solutions together with customers and partners that are truly sustainable, economical and can be successfully implemented in practice,” said Matt Sieverding, CEO VON KIEFEL.
The first day of the conference at the Salzburg Congress demonstrated the breadth of topics of the transformation in the packaging industry. Giuseppe Liuzzo Scorpo of Borouge International highlighted the future of PP packaging, while Paul Earnshaw of Tesco provided insights into a retail company’s packaging strategy in the context of sustainability and regulation.
“At Tesco, we are proud of our Planet Plan, which focuses on making packaging recyclable, sourcing materials responsibly, and reducing unnecessary packaging and plastic. Packaging data is essential for making informed decisions on cost, carbon footprint, and recyclability. While retailers have been driving this change for years, legislation such as EPR and PPWR is now acceleratingthe transition. The next challenge is helping consumers better understand what truly sustainable packaging means,” said Paul Earnshaw, lead packaging manager Tesco.
Franz Rittmannsberger of PreZero, part of the Schwarz Group, which includes companies such as Kaufland and Lidl, spoke about the status and challenges of the mechanical recycling of household waste into food contact materials in the EU. “Mechanical Recycling of Food Contact material is feasible, now it is important that the European Commission will nail it,” said Franz Rittmannsberger, head of research and development Prezero.
Jaroslaw Holz’s presentation was particularly vivid; he presented the journey of the Polish packaging manufacturer Poli sp. z.o.o.: from polymer to fiber thermoforming on Kiefel machines, from first prototypes to hundreds of millions of fiber parts produced – a true success story.
Irena Vitkauskiené of RETAL Baltic Films explained “tray-to-tray” PET recycling in the context of PPWR, “Design for Recycling,” and industrial implementation.
“PET tray-to-tray recycling is no longer just a technical goal. It is becoming an industrial necessity. Building trust in PET trays as a circular packaging solution requires open dialogue, practical guidance, and a shared understanding across the value chain. No single company can close this loop alone. The Kiefel Packaging Dialogue Days help make this possible,”said Irena Vitkauskienė, PhD, head of marketing and innovation at Retal Haltic films.
Fiber packaging was an equally core component of the program. Contributions from Kiefel’s technology and material partners, including Kadant, Solenis and Mondi showed how biofibers, barrier concepts and specialty pulps can contribute to the further development of fiber-based packaging. In doing so, they addressed both materials issues and industrial feasibility, which they see as a crucial step in transitioning sustainable packaging concepts from idea to scalable production.
“The technology to achieve PPWR recycling targets through PCR foodgrade solutions is already available. The key question is whether we can secure enough suitable input material. High-quality recycling starts with efficient collection and sorting, ensuring the purity required for successful decontamination and reuse,” said Andreas Stoiber, global key account manager Starlinger-Viscotec.
On the second day of the event, knowledge communication continued at Kiefel in Freilassing: At the opening of the new Customer Innovation Center (CIC), participants experienced live machine demonstrations, service info points, and concrete applications. Thus, the CIC forms the operational basis for directly translating discussions from industry dialogue into trials, applications, and technological advancements.
At the Packaging Dialogue Days, Kiefel underlines its ambition to do more than develop machines and systems, but also to collaborate with customers, brands and technology partners on tomorrow’s packaging solutions. The interplay of industry dialogue, technical expertise and application- oriented development illustrates where the future of packaging technology is being created: at Kiefel, where knowledge, practice and partnership come together.
