Explore the 2026 Agenda

A warm welcome to the 2026 Rethinking Materials Summit. Hear from the Rethink Events team on the key themes for this year's summit, and what you can look forward to over the next two days.

This keynote examines how the August 2025 global plastics treaty talks marked a pivotal shift in materials policy and set a new direction for the circular economy. It explores decision-making models beyond consensus and how companies can leverage policy change to drive innovation, leadership, and accountability across supply chains. Delegates are challenged to look beyond today’s regulatory milestones toward a low-carbon, regenerative materials economy by mid-century - and to identify the decisions needed now to make that vision real.

• How are the PPWR and evolving EPR frameworks shaping the transition toward circular materials, and what safeguards are needed to balance environmental ambition with business realities?
• What defines a material, product, or technology as truly “system-ready” — one that meets PPWR recyclability and reuse standards, integrates into circular supply chains, and supports long-term competitiveness?
• Circularity depends on systems, not just materials. Which policy, investment, and industry mechanisms are essential to align innovation, infrastructure, and economics so circular models can scale effectively?
• How can AI, data transparency, and digital traceability tools — such as those envisioned under PPWR labelling and reporting requirements — help businesses optimize supply chains, extend product value, and deliver EPR compliance at scale?

• After years of small-scale trials, why are companies realising that large-scale, multi-stakeholder collaboration — including shared washing and logistics infrastructure — is essential for truly effective reusable packaging systems?
• What lessons can we take from initiatives like France’s deposit-based glass reuse schemes or Canada’s packaging-as-a-service model in personal care, especially around brand and retailer interoperability?
• How are consumer attitudes and behaviours evolving around reuse and refill, and which strategies — such as standardised, cross-retailer systems and clear collection points — are driving adoption at scale?
• How can companies and policymakers work together to make reuse and refill systems truly circular, efficient, and scalable, while balancing operational feasibility with environmental impact?

Meet the early-stage innovators presenting new materials and enabling technologies that enhance the circularity of materials and reduce environmental impact. Each presenting company will have three minutes to showcase their solution and take questions from our investor panel. The presentations will be followed by a live audience vote for the most impactful startup based on innovation, scalability, and potential impact.

• How do the UK and EU bioeconomy strategies compare in driving the adoption of bio-based and natural polymer materials across sectors like packaging, textiles, and cosmetics?
• How can public procurement, such as in the NHS, accelerate adoption of high-performance bio-based and natural polymer alternatives?
• What role does cross-industry collaboration and collective advocacy play in creating regulatory clarity and enabling market adoption for biobased and biodegradable materials?
• How can standards, testing frameworks, and traceability systems evolve to accurately reflect the performance of plant-based materials?

• How are global brands embedding material innovation into corporate strategy?
• What leadership mindset drives transformation beyond compliance?
• How can boards, finance, procurement, and innovation teams align long-term material transitions?
• How are companies going beyond just driving change within their own companies and contribute towards changing the wider market?

As industries face mounting sustainability pressures and shifting consumer expectations, data is emerging as the ultimate design material. In this fast-paced Lightning Talk series, innovators from across packaging and textiles share how data insights, smart systems, and circular design thinking are reshaping the future of how we make, move, and reuse materials.

• How can major brands scale circular business models beyond small experiments while managing the high costs, labour-intensive processes, and iteration cycles of next-gen materials?
• In which ways can transparency tools, supply chain disclosure, and collaborative feedback channels accelerate adoption of sustainable, traceable materials?
• How can innovators design materials that meet regulatory and circularity requirements while balancing recyclability, cost, performance, and manufacturability at scale?
• What policies, incentives, and funding models will reduce the “green premium” and support early-stage material innovation in fashion?

• How are brands and innovators translating early experiments in textile-to-textile recycling into commercially viable, large-scale operations using AI-driven sorting, material identification, and process optimization?
• What role are EPR schemes and policy frameworks playing in accelerating investment and adoption of recycled fibres across global supply chains?
• Which technologies — chemical, mechanical or enzymatic — are proving scalable for post-consumer and blended textiles, and how are they shaping the future fibre mix?
• How can collaboration between brands, recyclers, and investors create the ecosystem needed to move recycled textiles from niche solutions to mainstream fashion production?

One of the most interactive sessions of the programme, each roundtable discussion group is hosted by an industry expert on a specific theme, offering you a valuable opportunity to network, brainstorm solutions and discuss ideas with your peers on shared areas of interest.

Delve deeper into the critical challenges faced by your sector and the solutions driving progress, across packaging, textiles, and footwear.

• How are global regulations and evolving brand strategies driving the shift from plastic to paper and shaping regional adoption trends?
• How do consumer perception, market demand, and corporate R&D investments influence the growth of fibre-based alternatives in key sectors such as food, beverage, and personal care?
• Which innovations in hybrid papers, barrier coatings, biodegradable linings, and AI-supported design balance functionality, recyclability, operational challenges, and sustainable sourcing?
• How can paperisation - including the development and scaling of paper bottles - avoid regrettable substitutions, support circular recycling systems, and address ecosystem, social, and resource sustainability challenges?   

• Which circular, bio-based, or industrial side-stream material innovations are economically viable and ready to scale sustainably and reliably?
• Which financial instruments — such as offtake-backed loans, circularity bonds, or blended finance — can balance risk and return while supporting resilient growth in circular material ventures?
• In what ways can startups, investors, and brands collaborate to accelerate adoption, share risk, and overcome common scaling challenges?
• How can investors allocate capital effectively to align with policy, health, and sustainability goals while navigating operational, regulatory, and market uncertainties?