The R2R Europe Conference (June 17-19, 2025, in Milano, Italy), organized by the Association for Roll-to-Roll Converters (ARC), drew 90 attendees from 17 countries, including more than 24 first-timers representing companies such as Armor Group, Buday GmbH, DECPT, NantGPower, SAATI SpA and Tesla.

The conference opened with a two-hour Web-Handling Fundamentals course where Dr. Dilwyn Jones offered a clear and practical overview of key technical principles and critical issues to give attendees a solid understanding of the basics.

Keynote addresses were presented by Corey Reardon, president & CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates; Raffaele Guadagno, process specialist – R&D manager at Nordmeccanica; Gary Tyne, CRL, CMRP, founder and CEO of Pro-Reliability Solutions Limited; and Roberta Colotta, public affairs manager, Flexible Packaging Europe. Reardon provided an industry outlook focused on sustainability, growth trends and the impact of AI, highlighting today’s top-of-mind topics.

Guadagno discussed the factors involved in the development of fully recyclable packaging, which is specified in European legislation and sought by brand owners. This often involves replacing multi-material structures and requires an analysis of the entire production cycle in terms of technological and cost efficiency, assessment of recyclability and re-use and end-of-life environmental impact.

Tyne spoke about the connection between sustainability and reliability in manufacturing, noting that a truly sustainable operation cannot be run on the back of unreliable assets. He notes, reliability – meaning consistently delivering quality product, on time, in full, at sustainable cost and low risk – is the foundation for achieving broader sustainability goals. Organizations that embrace cultural change and continuous improvement are best positioned to achieve both reliable performance and a real sustainability impact.

In the closing keynote, Colotta discussed EU packaging regulations, particularly the converting-related measures in the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (also called PPWR), which took effect in February 2025. Many important market access requirements will shape how packaging is designed and placed on the market, including targets for recyclability, recycled content and reduction/elimination of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Other sessions focused on sustainable roll-to-roll coating, automated machine parameter setting, wrinkle mitigation, advanced web tension profile monitoring, coating and laminating, vacuum metallizing, battery and energy technology and web handling.

During breaks and the cocktail reception, attendees could meet tabletop exhibitors such as Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd., Bühler Leybold Optics, Contiweb, Delta ModTech, Dr. Schenk GmbH, Druschke GmbH, E+R Group, ER-WE-PA, FMS Force Measuring Systems AG, Maplesoft, MTorres, Nordmeccanica, Paul & Co GmbH & Co KG, Spooner Industries Limited and UMV Coating Systems AB.

The exhibition was a resounding success for attendees and exhibitors. “We at Nordmeccanica have been particularly happy with the conference held in Milan,” reports Giancarlo Caimmi, commercial director at Nordmeccanica. Noting the number of attendees and top-class nature of the presentations and the networking opportunities of events organized by ARC, he predicts, “We will keep spending all possible efforts in our collaboration with ARC to expand the network in Europe as the format provided by the association is really one of a kind.”

Attendees also had an opportunity to network during a walking tour of Milano, which included Sforzesco Castle, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Teatro alla Scala and the Duomo di Milano.

Converters will enjoy more networking and educational opportunities at upcoming ARC events. The next R2R Europe Conference will take place in 2027. But before that, ARC will present the R2R USA Conference and Exhibition, May 19-21, 2026, in Cleveland, OH, with sessions devoted to new technology, best practices and trends, an exhibition floor and networking meals and activities.

For information about future meetings, go to the ARC website, www.rolltoroll.org, and click on Events.