• IPPO member Kim Berry, editor of Food & Drink Business, will moderated a panel with (from left): Alberto Piexeiro, packaging development director, Arnott’s Group; Matthew McMichael, chief operating officer, SPC, and Richard Welburn, R&D senior group leader, Packaging Development, Mondelez International.
    IPPO member Kim Berry, editor of Food & Drink Business, will moderated a panel with (from left): Alberto Piexeiro, packaging development director, Arnott’s Group; Matthew McMichael, chief operating officer, SPC, and Richard Welburn, R&D senior group leader, Packaging Development, Mondelez International.
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For food and beverage manufacturers, there have never been higher expectations to reduce waste and adopt more sustainable processes and products. During the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) Forum at APPEX, Kim Berry will talk to three industry leaders about how the sector is adopting more sustainable packaging as part of the solution.

On the stage will be two of Australia’s most iconic heritage brands, SPC and Arnott’s and international snack and confectionery powerhouse with strong local presence, Mondelēz International.

With more than 20 years' R&D experience, Arnott’s packaging development director, Alberto Peixeiro, has played a pivotal role at Arnott’s, steering the packaging development of some of the country’s most iconic – and loved – brands, including Tim Tams, Shapes, and Jatz. He spearheads the company’s packaging strategy and roadmap, driving innovation and technology to push boundaries and make a significant contribution to Arnott’s sustainability goals.

Richard Welburn started his packaging career at Nestlé in the UK more than 30 years ago, joining Mondelēz in 2009. In 2016, he saw the light and moved to Australia as senior group leader of the Chocolate Packaging Development team. Rich has developed the packaging sustainability strategy for Mondelēz with a focus on making all materials recyclable, eliminating excessive packaging and using post consumer recycled (PCR) content in soft and rigid packaging. He was also instrumental in the changes to the Cadbury Easter range where plastic trays have been removed from all Gift Box and Hunting eggs which eliminated 250 tonnes of rigid plastic.

And SPC chief operating officer, Matthew McMichael, brings to the panel his depth of experience in FMCG from working at Nestlé, HJ Heinz, PZ Cussons. He joined SPC in 2001, just two years after it was sold to Shepparton Partners Collective and has been instrumental in the strategy to draw upon company’s heritage and brand loyalty to build a dynamic, responsive, sustainable organisation.

The panel will be moderated by IPPO member Kim Berry, editor of Food & Drink Business.

IPPO Forum Panel: How brands are stepping up on sustainable packaging

Tuesday, 12 March

3:20pm - 4pm

APPEX Seminar Theatre

Food & Drink Business

The Central Coast is about to receive a boost to its local food and beverage manufacturing industry, with construction starting on the $17.14 million Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, funded by the federal government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NFR).

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says Australia is at a “critical crossroads” when it comes to R&D and decades of rhetoric have not delivered material change.

New Zealand’s national organisation for the country's grape and wine sector, New Zealand Winegrowers, has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting the industry’s commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability through its climate change, water, people, soil, waste, and plant protection goals.