With some 160 attendees and just under 40 sponsors and exhibitors, the 2025 ZLV Packaging Symposium in Kempten was a rousing success, again underscoring the relevance of this industry platform for current challenges and innovative approaches in the world of packaging. Participants from the plastics industry discussed the challenges and opportunities confronting foils and related products against the backdrop of the transformative ramifications of the PPWR and the hype surrounding paper and the exhibitors.
By Alfons Strohmaier
The renowned Kempten University of Applied Sciences has enjoyed an outstanding reputation in food products and packaging technology for years. On the one hand the university educates students regarding the latest findings in process technology and the processing industry, while on the other hand issues such as sustainability, necessary resource efficiency and the recycling economy of materials are becoming an ever greater focus, especially in packaging. This was also clearly illustrated at this year’s ZLV Packaging Symposium on September 11th and 12th, hosted by the university.
Fascinating keynote speeches at the event’s beginning and end bookended the presentations that were held among smaller crowds in two halls that addressed many practical topics. Following the greeting by Thomas Lux, Managing Director of the “Zentrum für Lebensmittel und Verpackungstechnologie e.V.” (‘Association Centre for Foodstuff and Packaging Technology’), and Prof. Dr Markus Prem, Dr Markus Contzen from the H&Z Unternehmensberatung consulting firm pointed out the geopolitical risks that European mechanical engineering enterprises are facing. Given unpredictable trade conflicts, and not just at the tariff level, these companies must urgently consider strategies to secure market development and make their supply chains more resilient.
At the end of the symposium Christoph Waldau from Berndt+Partner Creality also made an urgent appeal to decision-makers faced with the upcoming regulations emanating from the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) not to lapse into inactivity, but rather to develop a clear plan, to proceed in small steps and to include every business unit in that plan. It is impossible at present to fully imagine the dramatic transformation the PPWR will generate. Above all, it is small and medium-sized companies that will face extreme burdens, both in terms of personnel and financially, resulting from the new obligations such as conformity certifications, recyclable quotas or detailed and digital material documentation.
The presentation by Michael Martin, Commercial Director Food at the film manufacturing company Wipak Walsrode received a particularly positive reception from the audience. He demonstrated where the food packaging industry currently stands, the tasks it faces as a result, and the developments that are necessary to deal with the global changes in the long-term. He asserted that packaging materials should be as simple as possible, ideally only monomaterials, but that the documentation, data accessibility and data security are becoming increasingly complex. “Compliance made easy?” was the rather rhetorical question raised by Mr. Martin, and the answer was an unambiguous “No”.
Symposium participants were treated to individual clusters featuring a wealth of projects and solutions from practical experience, research and science. For instance, Lena Lembach, Senior Specialist Packaging Development at the Theo Müller corporation, demonstrated using recyclates in yogurt cups and how, in technical terms, the recycling economy is already capable of being implemented today. In 2025 once again, this symposium was characterised by a relaxed atmosphere and the industry’s strong desire to actively tackle today‘s challenges.
Sustainability, recyclates usage and packaging reduction in line with the PPWR were intensely discussed in a total of 20 specialist presentations, as well as in discussions held among the attendees.
The speakers represented the FMCG sector, mechanical engineering and, above all, packaging materials companies and their suppliers and service providers, such as barrier coating or ultrasound technology companies. The qualitatively outstanding programme was augmented by exciting developments from the research world. Thomas Lux and his organisation team were particularly pleased by the growing number of rising new talents from the industry. Students and young professionals took full advantage of the opportunity for intense dialogue and networking. The evening event held at the Fasshalle Kempten provided participants with an especially promising opportunity and the space for additional networking.
This year‘s ZLV Sponsorship Award for the best bachelor‘s thesis in Kempten University’s foodstuffs and packaging technology curriculum went to Lena Sauter for her experiments in determining the sorption isotherm of date sweetener. Peter Stober, CEO of ZLV, gave particular praise to the high level of innovation and the practical feasibility of the research.
Kempten University was once again the symposium’s partner and hosting venue. The study programmes and das KLEVERTEC Competence Centre for Applied Research in Food and Packaging Technology were introduced to attendees and underscored the fundamentals and importance of this joint work for the industry‘s further development. Other official partners included for example BASF, Wipak, Herrmann Ultraschall, and many others.
The close integration of science and the industry demonstrate the significance of strategic cooperations for the progress of the industry. “Together we will make this transformation successful,” said Thomas Lux. In light of the immense challenges of the future, this event showed that the desire for change and the necessary expertise are on hand to actively make the packaging world more sustainable, not least through the strong solidarity of the industry, science and the talent coming up in the future. The next ZLV Packaging Symposium is scheduled for September 17th and 18th, 2026.
