4 November 2026
Cologne, Germany
Digital print is no longer just a technology choice, it’s becoming the compliance infrastructure of the modern packaging chain. PPWR, digital product passports, retailer QR mandates, deposit return schemes: all of them depend on print decisions that most supply chains haven’t thought through yet.
Time to work it out. Join us on 4 November in Cologne at the Printed Packaging Summit.
| PPWR conformity declarations are mandatory from August 2026. Most brands are not ready. |
Retailer QR code trials are live. The data keeps coming back wrong. Nobody’s agreed whose problem that is. |
Digital and conventional print are converging into hybrid production. The industry is still having separate conversations. |
This event is for you if…
The five questions this event will answer...
1. When variable data moves to the production line, who owns accuracy on-pack: the converter or the brand?
Sean Smyth has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
Sean has a deep knowledge of the global print market, and a key member of the team providing quantitative market data and forecasts for the printing, paper and packaging industry. He authors off-the-shelf market studies and provides strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.
Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. In 1994 he became Technical Director of Rexam, where the first colour digital presses in the UK were installed and he has extensive experience of digital printing. He has written many books and market studies on the future, print technology and digital print, including Smithers' flagship title "The Print & Production Manual" and the "Future of Global Print Markets".
Alvise Cavallari has nearly 20 years of experience in the machine industry, where he has gained extensive expertise and insights into packaging printing. He then moved to the brand owner side, and his career highlights include leading the corporate programmes at Nestlé R&D on digital printing, coding, and technical anti-counterfeiting. He has also supplied valuable assistance to multiple companies in these areas, helping them navigate the evolving landscape of digital printing and anti-counterfeiting, and is now product manager at Atlantic Zeiser for CPG printing. Alvise's profound industry knowledge and dedication to driving innovation position him as a leading expert in the future of packaging technologies.
As a member of the Esko corporate marketing team, Jan De Roeck (°1966) leads a team of marketeers developing outbound messaging and content, manages industry relationships and coordinates market research activities.
With his parents running a local print business, Jan was literally raised amidst ink, paper and printing presses. He holds a bachelor degree in printing and pre-press, and a specialization in graphic design. He complemented his graphic arts education with an Advanced Management Program at the Ghent-Leuven Vlerick Business School in 2007.
Jan began his career in 1989 in the customer services department at Barco, a Belgian technology group at the basis of what Esko is today. Through various product management and product marketing assignments, Jan developed a particular interest, acumen and expertise in prepress solutions for packaging and label production. Jan is highly respected and trusted for his insight in the graphic arts industry and his level of understanding of customer workflows and market requirements. He is a frequently asked speaker and moderator at various international industry events and trade conferences and represents Esko in various trade associations.
Bio to follow.
After a successful career with Domino, including many years in senior leadership and strategy roles, Lee has retired from the business and is now working as an independent consultant. He is enjoying the opportunity to explore the industry from a broader perspective, staying actively engaged through consulting projects, webinars, and ongoing learning. Free from a single-company viewpoint, Lee values the chance to connect with businesses across the sector, gain fresh insights, and see how the industry continues to evolve. With a background spanning manufacturing, business development, and strategic leadership, he combines technical expertise, holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from Southampton University, with a postgraduate Marketing Diploma to bring a well-rounded perspective to every conversation.
Thomas has over 18 years experience in international sales management in mechanical engineering, marking & coding as well as the printing industry. In 2012 he joined Koenig & Bauer Coding In the position of Area Sales Director for Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South-East Asia as well as Asia-Pacific. In 2015 he took over the responsibility of the Key Account department at Koenig & Bauer Coding and has significantly developed the relationship with global brands in several market segments - especially in the FMCG market. Since 2022 he is part of the Group Sales team of the Koenig & Bauer group and he is taking care of major global brands. Together with Global Brands he is elaborating new solutions for packaging the packaging of the future according to the latest market demands. Even more, he is a member of the 2D expert Group of GS1. Thomas’s expertise spans brand development, variable data printing across the whole supply chain, sustainable solutions, digital printing, marking and coding solutions, printing technologies, customer value, traceability, brand protection, digitalization, connected packaging, smart packaging, TCO solutions and customer experience.
