Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2026

From October 6 to 8, the European packaging community met in Barcelona for Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2026. Over three days, one theme kept coming up, on stage and at our booth: PPWR compliance is a data challenge as much as a regulatory one.

PPWR Is Here

PPWR is no longer on the horizon. Its first requirements started to apply on August 12, 2026, and PPWR compliance is part of daily business for most companies today. You could also feel that in Barcelona: the discussions have moved from what the regulation requires to how companies can prove they meet those requirements.

That shift shaped much of the agenda. Sessions looked at PPWR in action, at how data, AI, and digital systems can support packaging decisions, and at the future of packaging in Europe, including how companies can turn compliance into a competitive advantage. 

The Question We Heard Most

On the exhibition floor, these discussions continued and went deeper. Many conversations came back to the same question: how do we bring packaging data together from so many sources and keep it ready for an audit?

Most companies know this challenge well. Today, the Declaration of Conformity focuses on the substance requirements. Even that already relies on data scattered across different systems, spreadsheets, inboxes, and suppliers. Over the coming years, requirements for recyclability and recycled content will add many more data points and increase complexity.

That is why, in our view, reporting is the last step, not the first. Before it can start, companies need a single source of truth for their packaging data and a reliable way to collect that data from across the supply chain.

Beyond the Exhibition Floor

A lot of interesting discussions also happened away from the exhibition floor. The same questions shaped the Executive Lunch we hosted together with SAP^® for a small group of packaging and sustainability leaders. We talked about the challenges PPWR brings in practice, about handling packaging data and supplier collaboration, and about how this data can do more than support today's reporting. Used well, it also helps companies plan ahead.

And sometimes a good exchange even happens over a cutting board. At the Spanish cooking class on the opening day, our team prepared a Spanish menu together with other attendees and expert chefs. Good food, good company, and yes, a few PPWR conversations too.

See You in 2027

Barcelona confirmed what we see in our customer talks every day: PPWR compliance is only as strong as the data behind it. Getting that data right is a shared task for regulatory, sustainability, and packaging teams, together with their suppliers.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, and to Smithers for a great event. The next edition takes place from October 12 to 14, 2027, in Barcelona.

Want to continue the conversation about managing packaging data for PPWR? Reach out to us at packaging@opesus.com or find more information here.