Saica Group Hosts Over 650 Industry Professionals to Explore the Future of Packaging
Saica Group brought together more than 650 customers, partners, and industry experts from across Europe at its 14th European Customer Convention, held in Málaga on June 17–18. The event served as a platform to discuss the trends, innovations, and regulatory developments shaping the future of the packaging industry.
Throughout the two-day convention, Saica showcased the capabilities of its packaging divisions, Saica Pack and Saica Flex, while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable packaging solutions designed to meet evolving environmental, regulatory, and consumer demands.
The event opened with a presentation from Diego Compaired, Director of R&D&I at Saica Group, who highlighted the company’s vision for the future of packaging and the critical role innovation will play in industry transformation. Rubén Breto, R&D and Applications Manager for Paper and Cardboard, followed with examples demonstrating how digital technologies are improving packaging development processes and enhancing efficiency.
Saica Group President and CEO Susana Alejandro reviewed the company’s progress since the previous convention held in Valencia in 2024. She emphasized the strategic principles that continue to guide the organization while outlining how Saica is expanding its capabilities to better support customers in an increasingly complex market environment.
Enrique de Yraolagoitia, Managing Director of Saica Group, addressed the evolving business landscape, discussing market volatility, sustainability challenges, and the company’s investments in infrastructure development, decarbonization initiatives, and innovative packaging solutions.
Customer collaboration was a central theme of the event. Representatives from Persan, Herta, and Mahou San Miguel shared real-world case studies highlighting sustainability initiatives, circular economy strategies, emerging consumer trends, and the integration of environmental goals into business operations.
Regulatory developments were also a key focus. Bellatrix Vela, Environmental Technician at Saica Group, provided insights into the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), explaining its expected impact on packaging design, materials, and compliance requirements across the industry.
Innovation remained at the forefront of the convention, with Saica introducing new packaging solutions suitable for direct contact with fatty foods. The company also unveiled Saica SKIN Origami, a novel packaging concept that combines flexible packaging materials with corrugated cardboard to deliver enhanced functionality and sustainability benefits.
Adding a market perspective, Jorge Zúñiga Gómez, Senior Insights Consultant at Euromonitor International, explored how sustainability, demographic shifts, regulatory pressures, and changing lifestyles are influencing consumer purchasing behavior and packaging expectations.
Innovation Contest Celebrates Packaging Excellence
A highlight of the convention was the 11th edition of Saica Group’s Innovation Contest, which featured eleven finalist projects from technical teams across the company.
In the Saica Pack category, Laura Pérez and Ignacio Moreo received top honors for their project “Atomic Design.” In the Saica Flex category, Ibón Aznar and Dario Cases were recognized for “Linerless Recycled Paper Tape.” Winners were selected through direct voting by convention attendees.
The event underscored Saica Group’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration as it continues to help customers navigate the rapidly evolving packaging landscape.
