63 NOTICIAS I NEWS More than 250 professionals gathered in November at Feria Valencia for the 7th Packaging and Circular Economy Congress, organized by the Packaging Innovation Cluster. This event brought together companies, organizations, and experts to address the main regulatory, technological, and sustainability challenges already shaping the packaging industry. The day revolved around a key question for the industry: how to transform the current model to comply with the new requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and move towards a truly circular, innovative, and competitive production and consumption system. During the opening ceremony, Amaya Fernández, president of the Packaging Cluster, stated that “circularity is no longer an option, but an obligation that will define the future of our companies and society as a whole.” Following the presentation by Felipe Carrasco, from the Valencian Regional Government’s Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, and the talk by Miguel Borràs, CEO and founder of Antara, four panel discussions addressed the key factors for accelerating the transition to circularity in packaging. Innovation, recycling, and technology The first panel discussion, on the technical and legislative environment, was moderated by María Belén García, director of PACKNET. Participants included Laura Sanz, general manager of IMPLICA; José Vicente Ronda, managing partner of Heura; José María Bermejo, deputy director of operations at ENVALORA; and Emilio J. Pérez, director of FEDEMCO. The experts warned of a lack of awareness and clarity regarding the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which will come into force on August 12, 2026, emphasizing the need to educate and provide technical training to companies. They emphasized the importance of applying technical rigor, promoting fair regulation, and seizing the opportunity for coordination among Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to move forward together toward greater sustainability. The second panel discussion, moderated by Teresa Martínez, Circular Economy Projects Director at Sintac, focused on the topic of recycling. Participants included: Óscar Hernández, General Manager of Anarpla; Ana Rivas, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Grupo Lantero; Roser Herrero, Head of Circular Economy at UBE; and Laura Catalá, Packaging Materials Specialist at Lecta. Spain has one of the highest plastic recycling capacities per capita and has invested €365 million from the Circular Economy Strategic Plan (PERTE), but the lack of incentives is hindering the actual incorporation of recycled materials. They also highlighted that the situation is less positive than expected and that the plastic tax has not been sufficiently motivating, adding that without additional aid or benefits, the transition to circular models will continue to be slow. Next, the third panel discussion, moderated by Alex Brossa, cluster manager of the Packaging Cluster, addressed technologies driving the circular economy. The speakers were: Carmen Sánchez, technical director of ITENE; Irene Ríos, researcher in the packaging group at Aimplas; Concha Bosch, head of Packaging and Advanced Materials at Ainia; and Rafael Miguel, market manager for circular economy, packaging, and biobased materials at Gaiker. The experts presented disruptive innovations in sustainable materials and new technologies for recycling bio-based materials. Also participating were Victoria Tapia, Methods and Time Engineer at Fripozo; Jorge Higón, head of the Dairy and Liquids section and driving force behind the RetornA project at bonÀrea; and Daniel del Olmo Rovidarcht, R&D Packaging European leader at Sigma (Campofrio). Marta Bertomeu, Head of Innovation and Sustainability at Helados Estiu, shared her experiences and success stories in the final panel, moderated by Andrés Gil, International Events Manager at Feria Valencia. Finally, the Cluster Director, Jesús Pérez, closed the congress.
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