The Parenteral Drug Association will host a half-day workshop focused on innovation in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging during Pharmapack Europe 2026, as regulatory pressure and environmental targets continue to reshape packaging strategies across the sector.

Titled the PDA innovation in sustainable packaging workshop 2026, the session will take place on the morning of 22 January, the first day of Pharmapack Europe in Paris. The workshop will bring together industry stakeholders to examine how pharmaceutical companies can address regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability simultaneously, two challenges that are increasingly interconnected in drug packaging and device development.

Attendance at the workshop will be limited to 30 participants and is open exclusively to Pharmapack pass holders. According to the association, the small group format is designed to encourage open discussion and practical exchange between participants working on packaging design, manufacturing, and compliance.

The workshop will feature expert-led contributions from AM Instruments, Alliance to Zero and Inductio AG. Content will be structured into three parts, beginning with a real-world case study focused on ecodesign principles for pharmaceutical devices. This will be followed by an interactive roundtable discussion, allowing attendees to share challenges and experiences related to sustainable packaging implementation. The session will conclude with a summary discussion aimed at consolidating outcomes and highlighting practical takeaways.

The focus on ecodesign reflects growing regulatory and market expectations for reduced environmental impact across pharmaceutical packaging, including material selection, lifecycle assessment and waste reduction. Companies are increasingly required to demonstrate that sustainability considerations have been embedded into early-stage design, while still meeting stringent safety and quality requirements.

Falk Klar, vice president of PDA Europe, said: “Collaboration and cross-industry engagement are essential as the pharmaceutical sector advances toward more sustainable practices. This workshop is designed to equip attendees with actionable knowledge and spark new partnerships.”

The association said the workshop is intended to support participants with practical strategies that can be applied within existing regulatory frameworks, rather than focusing on theoretical sustainability concepts. Outcomes from the roundtable discussion will be shared with attendees to help inform future packaging innovation efforts.

Sustainable packaging has become a priority area for pharmaceutical manufacturers as regulators, healthcare systems and patients increasingly scrutinise environmental impact alongside product performance. Packaging decisions now play a role not only in regulatory approval and supply chain resilience, but also in corporate sustainability reporting and long-term manufacturing strategy.

The workshop forms part of PDA’s broader education programme, which focuses on science-driven guidance and operational excellence across pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Founded in 1946, the association provides technical and regulatory information to members across multiple regions and disciplines within the life sciences industry.

By hosting the session at Pharmapack Europe, PDA aims to contribute to ongoing industry discussion around how sustainability objectives can be translated into compliant, scalable packaging solutions for pharmaceutical products and delivery devices.

Pic suggestion: Pharmaceutical packaging components with recyclable materials or device design under laboratory evaluation.