Petcore Europe has announced the opening of registration for Thermoforms Conference 2026 under the theme "Beyond theory, towards PPWR compliance, real recycling of PET trays?" The event will take place on 18 and 19 June in Valencia, Spain, and will focus on issues related to the recycling of PET thermoformed packaging and the adaptation of the value chain to European regulatory requirements. The organisation states that it is currently focused on helping market participants meet PPWR targets for collection, sorting and recycling, in order to achieve at least 30% recycled content in PET thermoformed packaging. A preliminary agenda and a list of confirmed speakers have already been made available.
The first day of the conference will include presentations by leading experts dealing with thermoformed packaging, as well as panel discussions with industry representatives. According to the organiser, the programme will also include presentations by high-level speakers who will outline the goals and expectations of the European Commission regarding PET trays. The second day of the event will have a practical format. Petcore Europe is organising a visit to Aimplas laboratories, certified in the application of tray recyclability protocols. Participants will be able to see how the circularity of thermoformed packaging is evaluated and how packaging made from recycled PET is assessed for food contact applications.
The in-person event is intended to place particular emphasis on the collection and sorting of PET thermoforms as the first key step towards circularity. This will be illustrated through a demonstration based on a real material flow covering successive stages of the circular route. The organiser also plans to present other Petcore Europe initiatives related to thermoforms, including the Tray Circularity Evaluation Platform, as well as standardisation work in the area of design for recycling and recyclability assessment in connection with PPWR. The programme will also address recyclability scoring as foreseen in PPWR and the application of EU Regulation 20222/1616 in relation to the functional barrier as a novel technology, along with its implications.
Programme and thematic scope
According to the information provided by Petcore Europe, the conference agenda has already been published in preliminary form. The thematic scope of the event includes both regulatory requirements and technical issues related to the practical operation of the circular flow of PET thermoformed packaging. Particular emphasis has been placed on such areas as collection of used packaging, sorting, recyclability assessment and the use of recyclate in food contact applications. The organiser also highlights the importance of cooperation across the entire value chain in achieving the targets arising from PPWR.
The announcement states that the conference is intended to bring together experts and industry representatives involved in PET thermoformed packaging. In addition to presentation and panel sessions, an important element will be the demonstration part based on the analysis of real material flow through successive stages of the circular process. This format is intended to enable discussion of recycling issues from an operational rather than purely theoretical perspective.
Event sponsors
Petcore Europe also stated that the event will be sponsored by organisations and individual companies. Entities interested in joining the group of sponsors may contact the organiser regarding sponsorship packages. According to the organiser, a company's name and logo will be presented in all communication materials related to the event, including invitations, agendas, press releases and the website, and will also be promoted during the conference itself.
