A coatings chemist developing alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA) for personal care packaging and a specialist in refurbished metal packaging machinery are among ten young professionals named in Paris Packaging Week’s Future Leaders Class of 2027.
The programme recognises emerging talent each year for their achievements and contribution to the packaging industry. The class will be celebrated at Paris Packaging Week, which takes place on 3 and 4 February 2027 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Rica Hakim, a product development chemist at PPG Industries in Germany, has helped develop two BPA-NI (bisphenol A non-intent) internal coatings for personal care packaging. Her work includes developing water-based alternatives ahead of forthcoming changes to EU regulations.
Rawy José Baranco, sales manager at Netherlands-based Mach4Food, is working to extend the operating life of metal packaging machinery. Over the past year he has helped bring in more than 15 new customers looking for refurbished equipment.
At Belgian company Planet B, product development manager Mandana Vahedi has contributed to an aluminium refill system for WONDR personal care products, as well as a sugarcane-based detergent bottle for POWR. Vahedi said the biggest obstacle was often persuading consumers to change their behaviour, whether by refilling instead of discarding or accepting an unfamiliar material. Without that, she said, even strong innovations risk remaining niche.
Eloise Masquelier, a material science expert at Albéa in France, leads the qualification of recycled resins. Her work helped the company exceed its commitment to 10% recycled plastic content in 2025.
The rest of the class covers design, branding and commercial development across Europe, Africa and North America:
Rania Elqadah of IDP Direct in the US developed the structural design of the Maison Margiela Tabi Collector Box. Anja Macan, CMO of Croatian company Macan, helped create perfume packaging for Señor’s Fussnota. Dhruvi Thakkar, founder of UK-based Sleeve Office, has worked with FMCG and beauty brands including Unilever and Vibrant Foods. Eugénie Rovere, president of France’s MATCHY MATCHA, developed glass-bottle packaging for a ready-to-drink matcha latte now sold in more than 100 outlets. Romain Vanwijnsberghe of Cosmetics Atelier in Belgium helped develop packaging for a French skincare brand that has sold more than 300,000 units. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tendresse Lokole, managing director of MMB, helps local entrepreneurs build their brands through tailored packaging.
The aerosol connection extends to last year’s class. Thomas Bernad, founder of Be Morpho and a member of the Class of 2026, has developed spray cans powered by compressed air instead of conventional petroleum-based propellants. He described the programme as a springboard, saying it took him out of the laboratory and let him test his work with people who brought a completely different perspective.
The 2027 class was selected by a judging panel comprising Katarzyna Wisniewska, head of CSR for EME at Sephora; Louis Marty, founder of Merci Handy; and Marion Quesson, senior art director at Sowine.
Marty said the class stood out for turning ambition into tangible results, from developing new materials to improving manufacturing and building businesses.
Participants receive VIP access to Paris Packaging Week, speaking opportunities, media interviews and membership of an alumni network.
