Michiel Uijl is an Account Manager at Hassink and advises clients on folding carton packaging solutions.

As an International Development Specialist, Paul has closely followed the development of the PPWR. In doing so, he has focused on the changing roles that companies will assume as a result of the legislation, as well as the more specific obligations that will apply to all stakeholders.

Paul Stegmann is a senior scientist at TNO and specialises in modelling circular plastics. In his work, he investigates pathways towards the sustainable and circular use of materials. He obtained his PhD from Utrecht University and the PBL, and has worked for international organisations such as GIZ and ISWA.

Paxpring, ‘winner of a gold Pentaward’

Peter Hommel is Marketing & Communications Manager at Folding Boxboard Eerbeek and is responsible for the positioning of folding boxboard and sustainable market communications.

I have been a packaging data team lead for 4.5 years. Whilst the focus was initially on private label, I am now increasingly working on premium brand data streams, due to my expanded responsibilities for Albert Heijn. My background is in molecular biology research. I am now able to apply my passion for data, process […]

Pleun Pieter Goudriaan has extensive experience in the packaging industry and rose through the ranks at BVP from sales professional to owner of the BVP Group, comprising BVP Verpakkingen, Packspert, Qudoos and Baka. Driven by a clear mission, these companies are working to accelerate the necessary transition towards a more sustainable and smarter packaging supply […]

ChemistryNL implements the industry and innovation policy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The policy aims to create opportunities arising from global societal challenges in the areas of climate, food, health, circularity and safety.

Raoul Gabriels is an independent packaging consultant with over 30 years’ international experience in consumer packaging. Through Key-Pack Innovation, he advises companies in the food, personal care and pharmaceutical sectors on innovation, legislation and sustainability in packaging (PPWR / LCA / circular solutions).

René de Koster is Professor of Logistics and Operations Management at Erasmus University. In 2018, he was an Honorary Francqui Professor at Hasselt University and is the author of eight books and over 300 publications in academic journals and books. He was recently named “the most influential researcher” in the field of material handling.

As sector lead at GS1, I am responsible for ensuring that the packaging industry adheres to GS1 standards, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing costs throughout the supply chain. In doing so, I work closely with various players in the industry, both large and small.

Rob Verhagen is Sustainability Director at OPACKGROUP, a Dutch family-run business and a leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Rob translates external trends into strategy and is actively committed to making plastics and packaging more sustainable. He is chairman of NRK Verpakkingen and is involved in various European and national initiatives.

Robbert-Jan Pos is Sales Development Manager at Optimum Group, a leading player in the packaging industry. He has been working in the label industry for over 10 years, the first 9 of which were spent in a sales role at a high-end printing company. Due to ever-increasing customer demand for sustainable solutions / PPWR, he made the switch to a role as a group specialist in PPWR / packaging sustainability.

Alongside Marieke Havermans, Silvia Gentiluomo is Dokter Empack’s second-line specialist. Silvia Gentiluomo is a scientist with experience in the field of sustainable materials at Brightlands Materials Center/TNO. Thanks to her expertise in materials development and her commitment to sustainability, she applies her skills in polymer development to contribute to innovative solutions that promote the packaging […]

Stan Stevens has worked in the timber industry for 24 years and has been involved in the buying and selling of tropical timber. In this role, he has visited forests in Africa and Brazil on numerous occasions, where he has always been involved in FSC certification. Stan has now been working at FSC-Netherlands for over […]

At Empack 2026, Stefan Hermsen will be one of the experts behind Dokter Empack. In recent years, Stefan Hermsen has served as a university lecturer with overall responsibility for the Packaging & Design specialism at the HAS Green Academy. Prior to that, he gained packaging expertise and experience at various international design agencies. Since2024, he […]