Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I'm a Management Engineer (+MBA) with 20+ years of experience in management roles (Plant Manager, Operations Manager) in multinational contexts, with expertise in Packaging. 

Q2. How are shifts in end-use sectors like food, pharma, and consumer goods changing packaging demand and specifications? 

There are some main drivers:
1) marketing developments which are strongly influenced both by cultural and social features; we can define those as Geographical Influence drivers 
2) Functional features (protection, shelf life, O2 barrier and so on); we can define as Performance drivers 
3) by Regulatory systems which have impact whether you are producing in an area and/or exporting to another, or where the goods, which are going to use you your packaging, will be consumed; we can define those as Regulatory drivers.

Q3. How do customers balance sustainability expectations with price and performance in practice? 

This bullet relates to the first driver I mentioned: Geographical influence. Some customers in some areas are focusing on process/materials replacement, which can lead to a final cost increase and a willingness to spend even more. In some other cases, we are facing the opposite: just cost reduction. 

Q4. Which technologies are widely discussed in packaging but struggle to deliver real ROI at plant level? 

AI projects and all capex with a payback longer than 2,5 yrs.

Q5. Which part of the packaging supply chain feels most fragile today, and why?

It depends on the specific bottleneck you are facing. Generally speaking, I would say vertical/technical skills. We are considering AI, but with older technologies and assets, the human factor is still what makes the difference.

Q6. How is competition from low-cost regions or alternative packaging materials reshaping the industry?

Very hard, but thanks to the main drivers I pointed out, there's room to define a strategic positioning plan and survive.

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management? 

What's your next 3-year vision?