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Visitors to Propak Cape 2026 will have the opportunity to hear directly from leading packaging industry specialists when the Institute of Packaging SA presents its free-to-attend seminar programme alongside the exhibition.
The programme looks at the trends, developments and challenges shaping the packaging industry, with sessions covering sustainability and recyclability, the circular economy, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), packaging design, food safety, recycling, plastics and production efficiency.
The programme gets underway with national secretary for IPSA, Bill Marshall, sharing highlights of the latest packaging design trends emerging from the 2026 Gold Pack Awards and Student Gold Pack Awards.
Sustainability and the circular economy feature strongly. Edwin Botha, recyclability and life cycle assessment officer for Fibre Circle will explore the gap between sustainability and recyclability in packaging design, while Head of sustainability for Sub-Saharan Africa at Tetra Pak, Masale Manoko, will look at how collaboration, technology, infrastructure investment, community empowerment and consumer education can help grow South Africa’s carton collection and recycling economy.
New solutions supporting recycling will also be explored, with Bobst’s Manuel Cortizo discussing the company’s One Barrier programme and senior sales director for Reinfenhauser Blown Film GmbH, Sascha Skora, presenting EVO GEN3 Packaging Films for a Circular Economy.
EPR is another major focus, with Dr Kishan Singh, Janine Osborne, Keith Anderson, Makgabo van Niekerk and Telly Chauke examining EPR delivery and stewardship to regulation, compliance and the future of South Africa’s packaging industry.
Practical issues are also on the agenda, including food safety and FSSC 22000 Version 7 updates with Antoinette Maake; ethylene management in fresh produce with Lianne Jones; glass recycling with Shabeer Jhetam; and the state of the plastics industry with Annabe Pretorius. Sessions will also address static control on packaging production lines and technologies that can help protect profit margins and accelerate growth.
Propak Cape takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 27-29 October 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the latest packaging, food processing, plastics, printing and labelling solutions while connecting directly with technical specialists and industry experts.
For further information and free visitor registration, go to: www.propakcape.co.za