FEFPEB charts future strategy to meet regulatory challenges

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has announced plans to strengthen the organisation’s response to growing political, environmental and regulatory challenges facing the sector

In consultation with its member organisations from across the European wooden pallet and packaging sector, the federation is working on a strategy to help the industry better address increasing legislative obligations and consolidate FEFPEB’s position as the recognised voice of the sector in Europe and beyond.

FEFPEB’s future structure and direction were among the topics discussed at FEFPEB’s spring meeting in Porto, which was hosted by the Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP) at the InterContinental Porto – Palácio das Cardosas.

FEFPEB Secretary General Fons Ceelaert said: “Since FEFPEB was founded in 1946, it has played a vital role in representing wooden pallet and packaging manufacturers across Europe. Through FEFPEB’s committees and working groups, it has worked to ensure policymakers understand our business when developing legislation; to coordinate our industry’s response to developments in international trade; and to communicate the wide-ranging environmental and economic benefits of wooden pallets and packaging.

“FEFPEB has represented the industry on issues including international phytosanitary regulations and ISPM 15, circular economy policy, packaging legislation and sustainability requirements. Through our Packaging from Nature campaign, we have also worked to raise awareness of the important contribution that wooden pallets and packaging make to the European economy and the environment.

“As the regulatory and political landscape becomes increasingly complex, it is essential that FEFPEB builds on the past 80 years of work to remain a strong, united European organisation and evolve to best represent our members’ businesses in the years ahead.”

Spring meeting

Opened by FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel, FEFPEB’s spring meeting took place in April, with speakers providing an overview of the increasingly complex operating environment facing the wooden packaging sector.

This included:

• Nikhil Varghese, Director, Circular Economy at DGA Group – who provided an update on FEFPEB’s advocacy work relating to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR);

  
  

• Brent McClendon, CEO and President of Woodpack Global – who presented the organisation’s international goals and its recent rebrand from NWPCA;

  
  

• Luis Rochartre Álvares, a postgraduate in sustainability at the Stanford Graduate School of Business – who gave a presentation on the European economy; and

  
  

• Francisco Jaime Quesado, economist and manager at the University of Porto – who delivered a presentation on sustainability.

President Rob van Hoesel and Secretary General Fons Ceelaert gave an overview of FEFPEB’s initial thinking on its future strategy and invited members to engage with its development as detailed proposals are progressed throughout 2026.

Ceelaert also gave an update on the status of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), including newly published guidance and FAQs, while Dominic Weaver of 12 Communications provided an overview of FEFPEB’s public relations activities over the past year.

The meeting also received a preview of the 73rd FEFPEB Congress, titled Wood Packaging in a Resilient Europe, which will be held from 30 September to 2 October 2026 in Båstad, Sweden, and hosted by Swedish Wood.

The biennial congress will welcome delegates from the European pallet and packaging industry for three days of networking, industry updates, discussions and social events. The programme will include company visits, industry presentations, and discussions on market developments, sustainability, circular economy policy, and the wider economic and geopolitical factors affecting the sector.

Confirmed speakers for the congress include Viveka Beckeman, CEO of Swedish Forest Industries; Christian Nielsen, Market Analyst at Swedish Wood and the Swedish Forest Industries Federation; Nikhil Varghese, Director, Circular Economy at DGA Group; and geopolitical analyst Björn Fägersten.

More details about the 2026 FEFPEB Congress can be found at: https://congress-fefpeb-2026.event-informatie.nl/