Telma Costa and Lavanya Singh spoke at the Ace Packaging & Labelling Forum, held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge on 9–10 September 2026.
Their session, From Physical Packaging to Digital Information: The Role of QR Codes in Modern Supply Chains, examined how QR codes are turning traditional packaging into a dynamic digital touchpoint, connecting physical products with information about their journey through the supply chain.
The students also participated in a panel discussion chaired by George Barrie, exploring smart packaging technologies including QR codes and the Internet of Things. The conversation considered the opportunities and challenges these technologies create across areas including warehousing, sustainability, compliance, cost and security.
The event allowed Telma and Lavanya to apply their supply chain knowledge to an emerging industry challenge and contribute their perspectives to a professional audience.
Telma said: “Joining the forum as a Keynote Speaker and Panellist was a fantastic opportunity to explore how something as familiar as packaging is becoming an increasingly important source of digital information. QR codes can help connect products, businesses and consumers, supporting greater transparency and improving decision-making throughout the supply chain.
“It was also incredibly valuable to share our insights with industry professionals and hear different perspectives on the practical opportunities and challenges associated with smart packaging.”
Lavanya added: “It was a privilege to participate in such a valuable industry forum and present our research thesis to industry practitioners. The experience provided an opportunity to apply the knowledge and analytical skills developed through our MSc to a fast-moving area of supply chain innovation.
Presenting to a professional audience strengthened my confidence in communicating complex ideas and contributing to discussions on how physical packaging can play a wider role in modern, data-enabled supply chains. Hearing insights from practitioners across different industries made the experience particularly rewarding.”
Delivered through Loughborough Business School and the UK Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence (UK SCALE) Centre, the MSc Supply Chain Management combines academic learning with exposure to contemporary industry challenges.
The programme has been co-created with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation and Logistics and gives students opportunities to develop their expertise in areas including supply chain strategy, analytics, digital transformation and sustainability.
Find out more about studying MSc Supply Chain Management at Loughborough University.