FESPA, in partnership with Brunton Publications, has announced the speaker line-up for the free-to-attend Corrugated Conference taking place in Barcelona this May.
FESPA, in partnership with Brunton Publications, has announced the speaker line-up for its inaugural Corrugated event. The dedicated Corrugated Conference will take place from 19th to 22nd May 2026 at the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona.
Located in Hall 3 on Stand B162, the free-to-attend programme offers professionals working in corrugated applications insights into the latest trends, challenges, and developments across an industry undergoing rapid digital, regulatory, and technological transformation.
The organisers have structured the conference agenda to address key themes affecting the sector across the duration of the event:
Day One: Navigating the digital revolution
The opening day on 19th May will feature a roundtable session where attendees can hear directly from experts at leading industry brands, including HP, EFI, Koenig & Bauer, and Kento, discussing the continued evolution of print. Stefan Liversidge, OT Security Product Owner at OPSWAT, will provide essential insights into the escalating cyber landscape and explain why cybersecurity is now a critical pillar of production and supply chain resilience. Additionally, Christian Vionnet, Product Marketing Director at BOBST, will challenge current market assumptions by asking the industry if the e-commerce bubble is about to burst.
Day Two: Securing the future with talent and technology
The programme on 20th May shifts focus to operational excellence. Thomas Orthax, CEO of Packitoo, will delve into how artificial intelligence acts as a solution to assist in automation and digitalisation, specifically regarding configuration, pricing, and quoting workflows. Attendees will also hear a case study from Lorenzo de la Mora, CEO of Gran Via Brewery, and Javier Quesada, Founder of Kento. The duo will benchmark the digital, analogue, and hybrid technologies used to streamline packaging design and production.
Addressing the sector’s workforce pipeline, Jo Stephenson of Young People In Print will speak on how to attract and retain the next generation of talent to combat the challenges of an ageing population. David Preskett, Vice President APAC and EMEA at Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, will then discuss how real-world business needs drive the development of the latest cutting-edge production tools.
Day Three: The regulatory road ahead
The final days of the conference will tackle the complexities of sustainability. Dr Aaron Yeardley, Science Team Co-Lead at Tunley Environmental, will shed light on ESRS E5 and the Circular Economy amid the changing regulatory landscape for raw materials. Evert Delbanco, Head of Global Regulatory Project Management and Group Toxicologist at Flint Group, will further explore this changing landscape and the shift toward a closed-loop economy. Finally, Ian Bates, Regenerative Packaging Pioneer at NOA Ltd, will highlight the pathway for the future of the European corrugated market, focusing on material innovation and scalable fibre solutions.
Nick Kirby, Non-Executive Director at Zeus Packaging and FESPA’s Corrugated Ambassador, comments on the upcoming event. He says, “Preparations for the first edition of Corrugated are well underway, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to welcoming a host of experts from across the industry to discover the latest developments, trends and more.”
He adds, “The Corrugated Conference will enable visitors to gain a broad understanding of how corrugated, print and signage can combine to unlock new revenue opportunities for businesses in both fields. Whether you want to explore technology-driven innovation or find out how you can respond to the ever-changing demands of the industry, Corrugated is a worthwhile event to attend.”
The wider Corrugated event is supported by overall sponsor BOBST; Gold Sponsors Advantive and Canon; and Bronze Sponsors Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems and Xaar.
Visitors can register before 20th April using the code CRGM619 to save €30 on entry.