Without a shared space for creativity, the 3Rs—reduce, recycle, and reuse—will quickly reach their limits. Without a willingness to change beyond regulatory requirements, innovation will remain confined within familiar frameworks. And without the exchange of ideas, optimizing packaging will take time—too much time.
It is becoming urgent for the French packaging ecosystem to develop solutions that are part of a more virtuous, sustainable, and decarbonized economy. This sector, essential to the economy as it connects producers to consumers, must now move from individual intention to collective action.
One of the spaces conducive to this dynamic is Packathon™, whose third edition will be held on December 4th and 5th in Dole, in the Jura region. Inspired by hackathons, those innovation marathons well known to developers, Packathon™ relies on the constraint of short time, emulation, and rapid prototyping to tackle complex challenges.
The event applies the principles of design thinking and agile methods to address concrete obstacles encountered by the ecosystem in its transformation. It focuses on breaking down silos between areas of expertise and intergenerational dialogue to stimulate creativity.
Around fifty students from all regions and various industrial disciplines are already ready to push the boundaries and accelerate innovation in the field of packaging. They will work in teams with marketers, machine manufacturers and eco-organizations to bring about as many projects as possible.
Led by expert coaches and facilitators specializing in innovation, creativity, and agile methodologies, the Packathon™ is supported by GEPPIA, Léko , and Sidel as major partners. Its aim is to make packaging a driver of transformation rather than simply a scapegoat.
According to Didier Saussereau, Product Director for the case packaging range at Sidel, “Packathon™ promotes diversity among participants, while remaining rooted in the packaging industry. It brings a fresh perspective to our development processes by encouraging the emergence of ideas that are not constrained by habit and our internal standards. It thus opens up new perspectives for innovation.”
