Senior figures from IOM3, Nestlé, Asda, Lavazza Coffee, and across the packaging industry will select the Future Trailblazer Class of 2027, alongside a dedicated panel that recognises the mentors helping emerging talent thrive.

Packaging Innovations & Empack has unveiled the judging panels for the Future Trailblazer Awards 2027 and the inaugural Packaging Mentor of the Year Award, bringing together industry leaders and emerging professionals to recognise both the people making their mark on packaging and those helping others build successful careers within it.

What separates someone who excels at their job from a genuine Trailblazer? Four judges of the Future Trailblazer Awards explore why fresh thinking, curiosity and the ability to inspire change can matter more than experience or groundbreaking invention.

There is a temptation, when we talk about trailblazers, to picture the inventor. The person who tears up the rulebook, creates something nobody has seen before and leaves everyone else wondering why they did not think of it first.

Jude Allan has a rather broader definition.

Luxembourg (September 7, 2026) – Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) has partnered with Royal Swinkels on the launch of BarLoca. An alcohol-free wine in AMP's dedicated 250 ml wine can. BarLoca is made from Southern Italian wine and dealcoholised at Royal Swinkels' brewery in Lieshout. BarLoca Bianco and Rosso are now available in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany in a semi-matt can built specifically for wine: it keeps out light and air and combines the quality and character of wine with the convenience and versatility of aluminium packaging.

Former PackUK chief receives Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the circular economy, while M&S is named Packaging Team of the Year for combining creativity, customer experience and sustainability at scale.

Margaret Bates, who led the establishment of the UK's packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) scheme administrator, and Marks & Spencer have been recognised for their contributions to the packaging industry at the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2026.

Press release, October 13

Guerlain set exceptionally high standards for the new Longevity Concentrate's packaging: it needed to reflect the product's value through its aesthetics, practicality, technical performance and ergonomics, while also supporting refilling and ensuring full compatibility with the formula.