In the occasion of the Week of Circular Economy, SustainaLab and ACN join forces, offering you an event around Sustainable Packaging.
Chem Together #23 in SustainaLab
Green Packaging 2.0: Why Is the Future Taking So Long?
Sustainable packaging is no longer a distant ambition: it is a scientific, technological, and societal necessity. Yet despite rapid advances in materials chemistry, biopolymers, recycling technologies, and circular design, large-scale transformation remains slower than expected.
This event brings together leading experts from academia, brand owners, startups, and scale-ups to explore the gap between innovation and implementation. Through scientific insight, practical case studies, and critical discussion, we will examine the technical and economic challenges of the transition toward truly sustainable packaging.
As always with SustainaLab and ACN, join us for a forward-looking conversation on how we can accelerate the shift from promising solutions to real-world impact.
Speakers:
- Prof. Gert-Jan Gruter, Professor of Industrial Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam – scientific and systemic foundation, Why Packaging Is a Materials Challenge, Not a Waste Problem, Highlight from his research
- Poonam Dharman, Packaging & Artwork Innovation Director at Lipton Teas and Infusions. When circular design meets consumer reality, Global ambitions vs local realities (a “circular solution” in one country may fail, not in another), Balancing sustainability targets with affordability and internal business case requirements.
- Rianne Hagen, Packaging Specialist at Albert Heijn – What “Sustainable packaging” means for a retailer – how circular packaging ambitions translate into retail decision-making, why technically optimal materials don’t always win. Private label as a circularity accelerator.
- Sarvesh Poddar, CEO & Co-founder at Sustanix – If paper is recyclable, why is plastic still indispensable — and how can we change that? Commercialization challenges for startups.
- Ingrid Goumans, Director Public Affairs & Sustainability at Avantium – Why is it so hard to scale sustainable materials, even when the science works? Lessons learned from Avantium’s journey, combine material innovation realities with market, business model, investors, and policy lessons.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion.
Moderator: Rick Passenier, Program Director at Biobased Circular.
📅Thursday, March 19th 2026
🕒14:30 – 18:00 (including networking drinks)
📍 SustainaLab, Matrix ONE Amsterdam Science Park 301, 1098 XH Amsterdam
Language: English
Cost: Free
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