Michelman will present two sessions on the interpack 2026 Spotlight Forum stage, highlighting how collaboration across the packaging value chain and advances in bio-based coatings are helping accelerate the development of next-generation sustainable packaging solutions.
The first session, titled Simplifying Adoption of Sustainable Packaging for Brands, will take place on Monday, 11 May 2026, at 11 am. The presentation will be delivered by Janne Varvemaa, director, products and technology, at UPM Specialty Materials, and Lori Gobris, global marketing director, packaging, at Michelman.
During the session, Varvemaa and Gobris will discuss how value chain collaboration can accelerate product commercialization. The presentation will showcase several market-ready, co-created structures that illustrate how coordinated development of paper substrates, coating technologies, and converting processes across Europe, Asia, and the Americas are helping make packaging with improved circularity more accessible to global consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies.
“Achieving real progress in sustainable packaging requires more than individual innovation. It demands coordinated action across the value chain. Our collaboration with Michelman is a great example of how shared ambition and complementary expertise can accelerate commercialization,” said Janne Varvemaa.
Michelman will present a second spotlight forum session titled Achieving SUPD Compliance with Innovative Barrier Solutions scheduled for 12 May 2026 at 11 am.
In this session, Michelman’s Iulia Mihai, PhD, senior scientist, and Thierry Van Migem, sales director, EMEA, will share the latest developments in the company’s expanding line of bio-based coatings designed to enable high-performance, recyclable, compostable, and compliant packaging.
These recently developed technologies support the transition from non-renewable raw materials to naturally derived alternatives. They are formulated to meet global regulatory requirements, including the single-use plastics directive (SUPD) and extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks like SB54 in California. Brand owners and converters can use these coatings to develop high-performance flexible and rigid packaging structures that also target dual end of life.
“As the packaging industry works to meet evolving sustainability and regulatory expectations, both material innovation and collaboration are essential. We must continue to make advances in new coating technologies through strong value chain partnerships and reach full packaging structure design. These efforts are helping bring more sustainable packaging solutions to the market to keep pace with regulatory requirements,” said Lori Gobris.
