Matilde della Fontana is an analyst at Lux Research, based in Amsterdam. She leads Lux’s coverage of packaging innovations, and her expertise spans a wide array of technologies, from new material substrates and barrier solutions to new design formats and packaging manufacturing processes. She also examines externalities — such as evolving policies, brand strategies, and shifting consumer sentiment that are influencing packaging innovations. Her research is regularly cited in leading industry publications, including Sourcing Journal and Chemical & Engineering News. Matilde is a trusted reference point for senior executives, R&D leaders, and open-innovation teams across the chemicals, materials, and CPG sectors. She provides strategic insights to inform innovation strategies, technology developments, and investment decisions. In addition to her research, Matilde distinguishes herself as a resource in this space by delivering webinars for global corporations, sharing her thought leadership in packaging to drive impactful business outcomes.
Prior to joining Lux, Matilde was a researcher at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, where she conducted life cycle assessment studies to quantify the environmental impacts of biobased materials, identifying intervention points to enhance technology efficiencies and sustainability profile. She also worked as a collaborator for Material ConneXion in Milan, advising on tailored material solutions for new product development. She holds a B.Sc. in materials science from Milano-Bicocca University and an M.Sc. in biobased materials from Maastricht University, where she was also awarded the Menno Knetsch Award for her contribution to the scientific domain of biobased materials, their applications, and innovative aspects.
Matilde is driven by a curiosity for everyday innovations, but when she is not on the lookout for the next big breakthrough in packaging, she might be found diving into the sea, enjoying a gourmet meal, or cracking the code on a challenging sudoku puzzle.