The 2025 4evergreen Annual Conference brought together companies from across Europe’s fibrebased packaging value chain for a day of open discussion, practical learning, and forwardlooking inspiration. Held in Brussels and streamed live to an online audience, the event highlighted how collaboration is accelerating the shift toward a truly circular packaging ecosystem.
Throughout the programme, participants explored how the industry can design fibre-based packaging that is not only recyclable in principle, but also circular in practice. Hands-on sessions with the 4evergreen technical Toolbox encouraged attendees to test methodologies, challenge assumptions, and share operational insights from their markets. The panel discussion and keynote speech showed how the sector is preparing for new EU rules, positioning circularity as both a regulatory necessity and an opportunity for innovation.
The Circularity Success Stories Awards added an energising moment to the day, celebrating companies that have already turned circular design principles into tangible solutions. Their projects showed the creativity emerging across the value-chain, from smarter design choices to new approaches in sorting, collection, and recycling. Together, they showed an industry that is always at the forefront of innovative solutions.
This year’s conference came at the perfect time. With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the broader EU Circular Economy Act about to reshape requirements across the value chain, organisations are seeking clarity and practical guidance. The 4evergreen Alliance will support this transition by publishing updated editions of its two cornerstone documents, the Circularity by Design Guideline and the Guidance for the Improved Collection and Sorting, ensuring businesses have access to the latest, field-tested recommendations. A series of national and international events in 2026 will help share these insights with local stakeholders and promote dialogue that addresses each country’s specific context within a global framework.
As Marco Eikelenboom, CEO of Sappi Europe and Chairman of Cepi, reminded participants in his keynote, Europe’s strength lies in its ability to collaborate across sectors and borders. The conference embodied that spirit, demonstrating how shared expertise can accelerate progress and build a packaging system capable of meeting both today’s expectations and tomorrow’s demands.
With a growing community, a clear strategic direction and a renewed commitment to practical action, 4evergreen enters its sixth year ready to help shape the future of circular fibre-based packaging across Europe.
4evergreen is a cross-industry alliance of over 110 members representing the entire lifecycle of fibre-based packaging – from forests to producers, designers, brand owners and recyclers.
