The Reuse Economy Expo

4 December, 2024

The Reuse Economy
Expo

In 2025, the Refill & Reuse Trade Fair evolves into the Reuse Economy Expo

Europe’s premier event for the packaging reuse sector, formerly known as the Refill & Reuse Trade Fair, enters a new phase in its 7th edition as the Reuse Economy Expo. This transformation is a collaborative effort between Réseau Vrac et Réemploi and New ERA, marking a significant milestone in advancing the reuse economy.

Building on the success of the Reuse Village introduced in 2024, the event expands its scope to address reuse across a wider range of industries. The 2025 edition will not only focus on packaging but will also welcome new sectors, offering increased exhibition areas and expanded opportunities for dialogue on the importance of the reuse economy, composed of various sectors and industries.

“Whether driven by ambition, necessity, or legislative requirements, the transition to reuse-based business models is inevitable across all sectors. This realisation underpins the vision for our revamped event. The Expo will serve as a unifying space for innovators and stakeholders shaping the Reuse Economy together.”
— Célia Renneson, Director of Réseau Vrac et Réemploi.

The Reuse Economy: a sustainable model rooted in historical wisdom

The reuse economy is becoming an integral part of modern life, impacting nearly all sectors, from high-tech and household appliances to automotive, furniture, construction, textiles, and beyond. At its core, it seeks to extend the life cycle of products by prioritising reuse over single-use consumption.

This approach promotes durable design, returnable systems, and redistribution through services like washing, reconditioning, and repair. By minimising waste, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the reuse economy aligns with critical environmental and societal goals.

Expanding horizons: a hub for sectors embracing reuse

As the only European event exclusively dedicated to reuse business models, the Reuse Economy Expo is growing —from 3,500 to 5,000 m²— to accommodate a broader range of industries. The Expo will feature dedicated sector zones, each equipped with its own agora for discussions, workshops, and masterclasses.

At the heart of the event, a centralised conference area will tackle shared challenges, including scaling reuse initiatives, reindustrialisation, job creation, training, and standardisation.

The Reuse Economy Expo represents a pivotal moment for industries embracing this transformative movement —creating a platform for innovation, collaboration, and actionable solutions.

Mark your calendars! Join us on May 26-27, 2025, at the stunning Parc Floral in Paris for an unforgettable event.

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your innovations. Exhibitor registration is now open!

Learn more and secure your spot today at Reuse Economy Expo.

See you there!

January 28, 2025February 6, 2025

Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe

3-5 March, 2025, Lisbon

Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe

Be part of the conversation: key pulp, paper and packaging leaders gather in Lisbon for Fastmarkets event

Over 300 industry leaders will gather in Lisbon for the 27th edition of the Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe Conference – from March 3-5, 2025.

It will bring together 150+ companies, from over 30 countries, with around 60% of attendees being senior-level executives. This conference is a first-rate networking and knowledge-sharing hub for the industry.

It will welcome 50+ esteemed speakers from across the entire value chain, as well as Fastmarkets’ expert economists. In-depth conversations will focus on regulatory changes, overcapacity challenges, sustainability, market consolidation, geopolitics and more. Emerging trends – such as molded fiber, recovered paper, plastic replacement and AI – will also be addressed.

Those in attendance will include pulp, paper and packaging producers, technology manufacturers, consumer brands, investors and leading industry associations. Year on year, the event attracts the likes of Smurfit Westrock, DS Smith, International Paper, Mondi and Procter & Gamble, Reckitt and more.

With major industry players like these attending, the conference will connect disparate parts of the industry and provide valuable opportunities for networking.

A who’s who of industry leaders

Throughout the event, more than 50 senior figures will share their insights, helping the delegates identify lucrative opportunities and mitigate potential threats.

The speakers will include:

- José Soares de Pina – CEO, Altri
- Saviero Mayer – President & CEO Europe, MEA & APAC, Smurfit Westrock
- Sarah Price – Head of Sustainability, Sappi
- António Redondo – CEO, The Navigator Company
- Natasha Valeeva – Analyst – Supply Chain, Food & Agribusiness, Rabobank
- Lennart Eberleh – CEO, Rottneros
- Fabio Almeida de Oliveira – Executive VP – Paper and Packaging Business Unit President – Packaging, Suzano

Hearing from figures like these will give delegates a vital window on a shifting forest products
landscape and rapidly changing supply/demand dynamics.

An enhanced event

New elements for 2025 include an interactive regulatory workshop addressing the recent updates to the EUDR and PPWR, along with two breakfast workshops covering AI and automation, and gender diversity and inclusion.

New networking features will include champagne roundtables addressing the hottest topics affecting the industry, as well as an exclusive wine-tasting and gourmet dining experience, where delegates will savour a selection of local delicacies.

Networking drinks receptions will take place at the Panoramic Bar, where attendees will enjoy canapes and stunning views of Lisbon as they network with peers and old friends.

For more information about the conference, please visit:
https://www.fastmarkets.com/events/fastmarkets-forest-products-europe-conference/

Reserve your seat and use code NRA15 for 15% off.

May 15, 2024March 13, 2025

Learning Expedition 2024

15 May, 2024, Paris

Learning Expedition

On May 15, New ERA, in collaboration with Réseau Vrac et Réemploi (RVR), led a group of refill and reuse enthusiasts on an immersive journey through Paris to explore practical, real-world solutions within the reuse and refill industry. This hands-on learning expedition provided participants with invaluable insights into the sector’s innovation and growing infrastructure.

The day began with a coffee at Starbucks, where participants used reusable mugs, showcasing the importance of simple everyday actions in reducing waste. The group then visited the Acquarys washing center, which highlighted advanced techniques for cleaning reusable containers. We also witnessed a Loop corner in action at one of Carrefour’s 150 locations across France, demonstrating how reusable packaging is seamlessly integrated into a retail environment. Participants further explored how intelligent collectors of reusable containers operate in office settings, followed by observing a refill station in a pharmacy. The day concluded with a zero-waste lunch at La Maison du Zéro Déchet, which also served as a prime networking opportunity with key stakeholders from the reuse and refill ecosystem.

This expedition underscored the critical role of legislation in driving the growth of reuse and refill solutions. France’s comprehensive legal framework, including the AGEC Law (2020), the 3R Implementing Decree (2021), and the Climate and Resilience Law (2021), serves as a foundation for expanding reuse at a national level. These policies are pivotal in creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the circular economy. With the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), there is hope that it will further accelerate the development of reuse and refill solutions across Europe.

Companies should stay tuned for next year’s Learning Expedition, which promises to provide a deeper understanding of these evolving opportunities, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation in the sector. Witnessing these developments firsthand is essential for companies aiming to stay competitive and align with the shifting regulatory landscape and consumer expectations.

May 13, 2024January 24, 2025

Refill and Reuse Trade Fair 2024

13-14 May, 2024, Paris

Refill and Reuse Trade Fair 2024

A global milestone in circular innovation

The 6th edition of the International Refill & Reuse Trade Fair, co-organised by New ERA alongside Réseau Vrac et Réemploi and RCube, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the refill and reuse industry. Held at the Parc Floral in Paris on May 13-14, 2024, the event brought together over 2,000 professionals from across the globe, creating a dynamic space for innovation and collaboration.

With 160 exhibitors from diverse industries, attendees explored cutting-edge solutions that are driving the shift towards a circular economy. The event featured 33 conferences and masterclasses, where over 75 speakers shared insights into market trends, regulatory developments, and the practicalities of implementing reuse systems.

New ERA took pride in hosting 21 of its members among the exhibitors, showcasing a wide array of refill and reuse solutions. The fair was more than just an exhibition; it was a hub for networking, knowledge exchange, and fostering partnerships that will propel the industry forward.

This year’s event highlighted both the achievements and the challenges in scaling reuse systems, reinforcing the need for innovation, investment, and collaboration across the sector. The momentum continues to build, with excitement already growing for the next edition on May 26-27, 2025.

September 7, 2023January 24, 2025

Reuse Event Brussels 2023

7 September, 2023, Brussels

Reuse Event
Brussels 2023

On September 7, 2023, New ERA and Planet Reuse hosted the rEUse Event in Brussels, gathering over 120 participants to explore the role of reusable packaging systems in Europe. Held in front of the iconic House of European History, the event highlighted critical discussions on the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reuse, particularly in light of the ongoing Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) negotiations.

The event kicked off with a video by Fernando Antunes Amaral, illustrating the severe socio-ecological impact of Portugal’s eucalyptus plantations. These “green deserts,” driven by the pulp and paper industry, contribute to wildfires and environmental degradation. Amaral stressed that millions are spent on lobbying to present single-use paper packaging as more sustainable than reuse.

Fernando Rodríguez-Mata set the stage with an overview of the PPWR, highlighting critical upcoming votes and measures to drive reuse in the takeaway, beverage, and transport sectors. Manon Sennéchael presented the rEUse campaign, emphasising the savings potential and market opportunities offered by reusable packaging models.

The second half of the event featured two panel discussions. The first, “Building on Success”, showcased thriving reuse systems across Europe, including representatives from Vytal, Bout’ à Bout’, Corplex, and Uzaje, who demonstrated the environmental and economic benefits of well-designed reuse initiatives.

The second panel focused on the PPWR’s role in unlocking Europe’s reuse potential, underlining three key principles: Collaboration, Ambition, and Urgency. Panelists stressed the need for transparent, well-coordinated systems and the importance of finalising the regulation swiftly to drive the transition towards a circular economy.

The event concluded with a preview of the #WeAreReuse campaign, showcasing the human face of businesses committed to reuse. The rEUse Event successfully highlighted the pressing need for stronger legislation and collaboration to scale reusable systems across Europe, offering both environmental and economic gains.

Category: Events