Rob Verhagen – Sustainability Director at the OPACKGROUP
Rob Verhagen is the Sustainability Director of the OPACKGROUP, a family-owned company producing customer-specific, high-quality packaging and films. The Oerlemans Packaging Group, comprising seven subsidiaries and ten production locations, delivers over 80,000 tonnes of paper and plastic solutions annually, with 750 associates contributing to prize-winning innovations. Rob’s ability to translate external trends into internal strategy is crucial for driving sustainability and connecting partners across the value stream.
With a multidisciplinary background, Rob actively engages in various sustainability initiatives both professionally and privately. He holds a Master’s Degree in Food Science and Technology from Wageningen University and has worked internationally in the Netherlands, Asia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, including for Mars Incorporated. Rob is also a passionate TEDx speaker.
Rob’s memberships and functions include:
- NRK Verpakkingen (Dutch plastic packaging branch organisation) President
- StiMO (Stichting Materiaal Organisations) – President
- EUPC (European Plastic Convertors) – Steering committee – Member
- MVO Nederland (CSR Netherlands) advisory council (Raad van Partners) – Member
- Verpact (Dutch EPR organisation) – Expert committee
- Co-owner Food Forest Langsteeg – Veghel
Currently, Rob is focused on translating new legislation into actionable strategies for clients and OPACKGROUP. This includes addressing broad themes like CSRD and CSDDD, as well as specific initiatives such as PPWR and the National Circular Plastics Norm. His work involves obtaining external accreditations like Ecovadis and certifying recycled content for OPACKGROUP. Additionally, he supports the development of a new Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for agricultural plastics. As president of two industry associations, Rob plays a key role in engaging with stakeholders.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Abraham Lincoln