Inno-Talk - FlexPack Knowledge

About Inno-Talk - FlexPack Knowledge

The leading Podcast for the flexible packaging industry. Hosted by passionate engineers, valued by inspiring guests from raw material suppliers, paper makers, printers, converters, packaging manufacturers, recyclers and all involved through the flexible packaging value chain.

Publisher

Julian Thielen

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Feb 2026

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   PPWR Launch, Paperization & Lack of PET-Recycling | FlexPack.News with Sebastian Ritter

   PPWR becomes reality: What does it mean for materials, recyclability and high-barrier packaging? In this episode of FlexPack.News, Julian Thielen talks to Sebastian Ritter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-ritter-7677755a/) from Toppan (https://toppan-europe.com) about some of the latest developments in flexible packaging – from the first weeks under the PPWR and the updated German Minimum Standard to paperization, PET trays and recyclable high-barrier films. PPWR is no longer a future scenario. Sebastian shares how customer discussions are changing and why the industry now needs to turn regulatory requirements into packaging solutions that actually work. For Toppan, one important part of this transition has been the move from conventional PET-based high-barrier structures towards recyclable mono-PP solutions. Topics include: the latest German Minimum Standard and its impact on recyclability, the challenges surrounding PET tray recycling, major brands switching from plastic to paper trays, where paper is – and isn't – the right packaging material, the availability and economics of recycled content for flexible PP, high-barrier mono-material structures for demanding applications such as pasteurization and retort, SiOx-coated BOPP films and the cooperation between Toppan and Irplast, and why more sustainable packaging requires looking beyond the base material to coatings, adhesives and printing inks as well. One key message throughout the episode is material fit for purpose. Paper is not automatically the more sustainable option, just as plastic is not automatically the worse one. The real question is which material provides the required functionality while fitting into viable recycling systems. Finally, Sebastian gives a preview of the upcoming InnoPouch at HP in Barcelona, where Toppan and Irplast will discuss how flexible packaging is evolving under PPWR requirements – and how high barrier performance and recyclability can be combined.

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   PET-Flasche vs. POUCH

   Title: PET bottle vs. stand-up pouch: The battle of the systems (AI debate) Rigid bottle or flexible high-tech membrane? In this experimental AI special episode, we pit two AI voices against each other in a head-to-head debate. Based on Dr Bernd Knierbein’s series of specialist articles, we analyse the physical, manufacturing and environmental limitations of both packaging concepts. Topics covered in this episode: Manufacturing: 5-gram preforms in injection stretch blow moulding vs. triplex barrier films with SiOx coating Sterilisation: Aseptic UHT cold filling vs. autoclaving at 121 °C for products containing solids Practical application & logistics: Pallet statics, micro-leaks and the advantage of germ-free residual emptying Circular economy: Float-sink density separation for PET vs. the evolution of single-material packaging (all-PP) You can find the detailed technical article on this debate on INNO-Talk. Please feel free to give us your feedback on this experimental episode directly in the Spotify comments!

3. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Packaging Award, Paper Recycling & Digital Product Passport | FlexPack.News with Dominik Lichtenthäler

   In this episode, Julian Thielen talks with Dominik Lichtenthäler (Interzero) about the key developments in the flexpack industry in July. Episode Topics: ✅ Recap of the German Packaging Award jury session in early July – around 220 entries, 36 winners, and tips for future applicants ✅ Winner spotlight: push-pull closure from Werner & Mertz and Abda Closures made from 100% PCR material, produced using a new in-mould assembly process ✅ Recycled content in flexpack – new entries with 30–35% PCR content sourced from Germany's yellow bag system, including applications in detergent and food packaging ✅ ProPakMa study on the recyclability of paper packaging – why rigid thresholds like Germany's 95/5 rule fall short, and how other EU countries apply significantly different ratios ✅ Practical insights after 8 years of "Made for Recycling" testing: comparing extrusion, dispersion, and wax coatings plus metallization – and why wax coatings, despite good CEPI test results, cause real problems in practice ✅ Why the quality of paper/board/carton from yellow-bag sorting (LVP) remains poor, and why the blue bin must not become "the new yellow bin" ✅ Digital Product Passport: the EU has launched an official register along with a testing environment – what this means for manufacturers, brands, and recyclers ✅ Confidentiality vs. disclosure obligations – why suppliers hesitate to share material data, and why clear contractual agreements will become essential going forward ✅ Inside Interzero's "Check for Recycling" tool for creating conformity declarations – onboarding experiences ranging from large corporations to overwhelmed SMEs ✅ Preview of the InnoPouch Conference in Barcelona: talks on the Digital Product Passport (Albin Kaelin) and Check for Recycling (Alexandre Zuber) ✅ PPWR Day on August 12 – are companies ready with their conformity declarations, or will many not tackle the topic until 2027? A conversation about recyclability, data quality, the German Packaging Award, and the upcoming PPWR deadlines for the flexpack industry.

4. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Bottle? Pouch? Both and neither nor: With Mauro Tocco from AeroFlexx

   Is it a bottle? A pouch? Both – and neither. In this episode, Julian talks with Mauro Tocco, Sales Director EMEA at AeroFlexx, about a packaging innovation that combines the best of rigid bottles and flexible pouches into a single product: the AeroFlexx PAK. Mauro explains how the idea came about, why the product is deliberately called "PAK" instead of "Pack," how the patented Frame technology and self-sealing valve work, and why the product can be recycled like a rigid bottle despite its flexible construction. Also covered: current market applications in the US, the planned European launch in 2027, plans for recycled content, and AeroFlexx's global growth strategy. Links & Resources 🔗 AeroFlexx / 3D shape configurator: aeroflexx.com (https://aeroflexx.com/) 📍 Upcoming opportunities to experience AeroFlexx in person: PACK EXPO (Chicago), Sustainable Packaging Summit (Utrecht), possibly INNO-Pouch (Barcelona) About the Guest Mauro Tocco (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurotocco82/) is Sales Director EMEA at AeroFlexx and has been with the company since 2024, though he was already involved with the project earlier from the technology side.

5. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Heike Schwertke: Food Contact Regulations in Today's Flexible Packaging Industry

   In this episode of Inno-Talk, Heike Schwertke (Innoform Testservice) discusses the latest challenges in food packaging—from the regulatory framework to emerging requirements driven by PFAS and the PPWR. Topics covered in this episode: EU food contact legislation: Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 and Plastics Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 Declarations of Compliance: their role and importance throughout the supply chain Migration testing: understanding the difference between overall and specific migration NIAS: the underestimated risks of non-intentionally added substances Bisphenol A (BPA): recent restrictions and regulatory developments PFAS: new regulatory requirements and the impact of the PPWR Practical challenges: imported materials, missing compliance data, and recycled plastics Who should listen? This episode is relevant for everyone working with flexible packaging, food contact materials, and regulatory compliance—from purchasing and product development to quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

6. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Innoform 1x1 - FlexPack-News with Karsten Schröder

   How do you successfully hand over a company after 25 years without losing its DNA? In this special episode of FlexPack.News, the roles are reversed. Instead of interviewing an external guest, Julian sits down with Karsten Schröder, founder and Co-Managing Director of Innoform, for an open conversation about the company's future, the packaging industry's biggest challenges, and why technical expertise will always remain at the heart of everything Innoform does. Together they discuss: Why Innoform has rebranded its conferences into the Inno event family (InnoPouch, InnoMeeting, InnoFiber, InnoPrintPack) How the planned succession at Innoform is taking shape—and why trust and shared values matter more than job titles The idea behind Innoform's summer ice cream campaign and why a simple ice cream can become a symbol for the entire flexible packaging value chain Why paper-based packaging deserves its own conference and what the industry still needs to learn about fiber-based materials How Innoform conferences are evolving through partnerships with host companies such as Felix Schoeller and HP Why the industry needs more practical knowledge exchange—and less marketing How AI is changing technical communication, newsletters, podcasts, and knowledge transfer Why human-created audio features and on-site reporting remain an essential part of technical storytelling What's coming next for Innoform events, podcasts, and educational formats This episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy that has shaped Innoform for more than two decades: creating a place where engineers, converters, brand owners, suppliers, and researchers can openly discuss technical challenges—and learn from one another. Whether you're a long-time member of the Innoform community or discovering FlexPack.News for the first time, this episode provides valuable insight into where the industry—and Innoform itself—is heading next. Topics: Flexible Packaging • PPWR • Paperization • Packaging Innovation • Technical Conferences • AI in Technical Communication • InnoPouch • InnoFiber • InnoMeeting • FlexPack.News

7. 

   3 Jun 2026

   PPWR, Packaging Simplicity, Interpack Recap - FlexPack.News with Thomas Schmitt

   In this episode, Julian Thielen and Thomas Schmitt discuss some of the most relevant developments currently shaping the packaging industry. Topics covered: ✅ Interpack 2026 review – visitor trends, exhibitor feedback, and the evolving role of trade fairs ✅ The German Packaging Implementation Act and PPWR – what the latest developments from Brussels mean for the industry ✅ Regulatory certainty vs. regulatory complexity – why companies need to move from discussion to action ✅ Raw material shortages and their impact on packaging design, including the recent Calbee case ✅ Why data quality may become one of the biggest challenges in achieving PPWR compliance ✅ Sustainability fatigue in the packaging sector – are companies lacking knowledge or execution? ✅ The remaining challenges of recyclable packaging, particularly for aluminum-based laminates used in coffee, pharmaceutical, and high-barrier applications A practical discussion about regulation, sustainability, packaging innovation, and the future of the flexible packaging industry. #Flexpack #Packaging #FlexiblePackaging #PPWR #Sustainability #Recycling #CircularEconomy #Interpack #PackagingIndustry

8. 

   27 May 2026

   "Brands are doing Brands, CoPackers ar doing the Packaging" - With Ton Knipscheer and Joergen Pleijte @Interpack2026

   In this episode of the Innoform Podcast, recorded live at Interpack in Düsseldorf, I sat down with Ton Knipscheer from the European Co-Packers Association (ECPA) and Jurgen Pleitier from Vetipack to talk about the often overlooked world of co-packers. We discuss: What co-packers actually do — and why they have become essential for many brands Why brand owners are increasingly focusing on marketing and sales while outsourcing production and packaging How co-packers support packaging development, sourcing, and even product manufacturing Why flexibility and fast machine changeovers are critical in today’s market The growing role of mono-material and paper-based packaging solutions How co-packers help brands navigate PPWR, EPR, and future packaging requirements Key trends and insights from this year’s Interpack exhibition One of the most interesting takeaways: many co-packers today are far more than service providers — they are innovation partners helping brands bring products to market faster and more efficiently. A great episode for everyone interested in packaging, sustainability, supply chains, and the future of manufacturing partnerships.

9. 

   6 May 2026

   PPWR, rPP & Supply Chain Pressure | FlexPack.news with Max Haschke

   The flexpack industry is facing major transformation: New regulations, increasing demands for recyclability, and economic pressure are colliding with new opportunities in innovation and marketing. In this episode of FlexPack.news, Max Haschke breaks down the latest developments and explains what they really mean for companies across the packaging value chain. 🔍 Topics covered Food-grade rPP: Recycled polypropylene reaches food-contact compliance – what this means for mono-material solutions and material availability PPWR & regulation: Why new requirements are now becoming real in day-to-day business and forcing companies to act Design for Recycling (CEN standard): How standardization is reshaping packaging design Market pressure & consolidation: Plant closures and rising costs as indicators of structural change Packaging as a marketing tool: Why packaging is becoming part of social media strategies 🎯 Key takeaways Packaging is shifting from a cost factor to a strategic lever Regulation is becoming more concrete and action-driven Not every sustainability trend is industrially scalable Supply chain thinking is becoming critical for flexpack companies 🎧 Who should listen? Decision-makers, developers, and sales professionals in the packaging industry—especially those working with flexible packaging.

10. 

    16 Apr 2026

    PE extrusion, raw material crisis and a calm view onto the current challenges - With Heiko Schenk

    In this episode I talk to Heiko Schenck who is an expert for LPDE in film applications. He has decades of experience with Dow and DuPont and so has a more calm view on current crises and can relate to other crises from the past. This episode is dubbed with AI. Far away from perfect but it is understandable and we can articulate everything in our mother tongue. Nevertheless I am looking forward to have a podcast in English with you. So if you are interested feel free to contact me: JT@innoform.eu

11. 

    9 Apr 2026

    Exploding raw material prices, Paperization and Interpack | FlexPack.News with Marcus Holland

    Current topics for flexpackers, put into perspective — today with Marcus Holland from PreZero. Topics: Iran crisis leads to jumping raw material prices Bel launches global switch to paper packaging Sappi adjusts prices on specialty papers again Apollo invests in Syntegon Siegwerk acquires Indian ink manufacturer Hi-Tech Inks Events: INNO-Fiber, PRSE and Interpack This Podcast is dubbed with AI from the original German episode. If you want to be guest in our podcast feel free to contact jt@innoform.eu.

12. 

    27 Mar 2026

    FlexPack.news - Live from INNO-Meeting

    This Episode is dubbed with the help of AI. Kick-off of a new podcast format. FlexPack.news delivers a monthly roundup of the latest news for flexpackers—clearly categorized and easy to follow, featuring rotating guests from the industry. Episode 1 recorded “live” from the INNO-Meeting 2026 in Osnabrück. Featuring: Jan Grevè from PPG and Daniel Zimmermann from Felix Schoeller. The news: https://packaging-journal.de/en/packaging-this-will-change-with-the-new-packaging-law/ (https://packaging-journal.de/en/packaging-this-will-change-with-the-new-packaging-law/) The new Packaging Act (VerpackDG) implements the PPWR at the national level. https://www.euwid-recycling.de/news/politik/neue-eu-vorgaben-sollen-recyclingquoten-unter-mitgliedstaaten-vergleichbarer-machen-180226/ (https://www.euwid-recycling.de/news/politik/neue-eu-vorgaben-sollen-recyclingquoten-unter-mitgliedstaaten-vergleichbarer-machen-180226/) New EU requirements aim to make recycling rates more comparable across member states. https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/henkel-acquires-stahl-specialty-coatings.html (https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/henkel-acquires-stahl-specialty-coatings.html) Henkel acquires Stahl for €2 billion.

13. 

    12 Feb 2026

    Solvent-free flexographic printing - with Dieter Niederstadt from Asahi Photoproducts

    Flexographic Printing, Solvent Zero & Automation in Plate Processing In this episode of the Innoform Podcast, Julian Thielen speaks with Dieter Niederstadt from Asahi Photoproducts about current innovations in flexographic printing, water-wash plates, and automation in flexo plate production. The conversation focuses on the shift toward Solvent Zero: replacing solvent-based plate processing with water-wash technology and closed-loop recycling systems. With up to 90% water reuse and no VOC emissions, flexo plate processing is becoming significantly more sustainable while maintaining industrial performance. Another key topic is full automation in flexographic workflows. Together with partners such as Esko and Allstein, integrated systems now connect imaging (CDI), LED exposure (XPS), washout, drying and cutting in one automated process. The result: standardized quality, reduced operator dependency, and shorter processing times. The episode also discusses: Water-based inks in flexible packaging Flexo vs. rotogravure printing Printing on PCR and MDO substrates The impact of European PPWR regulations This episode is relevant for converters, packaging manufacturers, print professionals and brand owners looking to improve sustainability, productivity and print quality in flexible packaging. Further Information Registration – Flexo Symposium (Esko – Asahi – Allstein – Follmann) https://go.esko.com/FlexoSymposium2026 (https://go.esko.com/FlexoSymposium2026) Video – Flexo Automation in Action https://youtu.be/FYoUZKDGqvQ (https://youtu.be/FYoUZKDGqvQ)

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.