Organiser Easyfairs said the event, which had been due to take place at London's Olympia on 8 and 9 December 2020, has now been moved back to 22 and 23 September 2021.

It said the decision has been made following consultation with the packaging industry and due to the ongoing pandemic, which has seen the UK government reviewing its decision to allow live events to run from 1 October.

Renan Joel, divisional director for Easyfairs UK & Global’s packaging events, said: “We had been working closely with our exhibitors and key stakeholders to secure the best possible option to run the event and provide the industry with an opportunity to meet and do business this autumn, and as such we have worked tirelessly to put in place numerous safety measures to ensure we can deliver a safe event to the highest possible standards.

“However, with the government’s continuing social distancing measures and push-back on the go live date for exhibitions, it has become increasingly clear that it is impossible to run the December 2020 edition.”

Easyfairs said the postponement of the event to next September will enable it "to deliver a safe environment in which the entire community can feel confident and focused on business, networking and engagement".

The organisation added it has already been running a series of online digital Innovation Talks under its Packaging Innovations, Luxury Packaging, PCD, ADF and PLD brands since the spring, to keep the industry informed and provide inspiration.

Furthermore, tomorrow (15 October) it will run a dedicated online Discovery Day that will bring together select exhibitors, a product gallery, a series of seminars and panels including the Big Carbon Debate, case studies, a showcase of the industry’s 30 stars under the age of 30, and a meeting platform to facilitate networking and business between all attendees and suppliers.

“2020 has been a very unusual year: the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone’s lives, and specifically in the exhibitions industry on the ability to bring people together to run live events over the past months,” said Joel.

“Although we are currently in challenging times, it has not only highlighted the potential of the digital world but also the true value humans place on meeting and interacting with one another in person.

“This gives us a very exciting opportunity to revitalise our event offering and reignite other opportunities through an increased digital – and even hybrid – presence.”

He added: “With over 100 exhibitors already confirming their involvement on the September 2021 dates, it is clear that the industry is just waiting for the day that it can meet in person and reinvigorate those valuable business relationships and opportunities that come from face-to-face interaction.

“Events will definitely play a huge role in the economic recovery.”

Easyfairs' flagship Birmingham Packaging Innovations event is set to take place on 3 and 4 March 2021 at the NEC.