Packaging and all related processes are undergoing transformative changes in 2026. In May, interpack promises to reflect them.
The packaging industry has been navigating continuous changes to reflect industry dynamics coming from many fields, including innovative advances and new regulations, as well as new and ongoing social and political moves.
In this environment, interpack aims to construct the 2026 edition as a clear reflection of this complex set of changes. The interest has been visible, with some 2,800 exhibitors from over 60 countries – who sold out the show more than one year before the opening day – participating.
In the bakery and confectionery sector, for example, exhibitors including Aasted, American Pan, AMF Bakery Systems, AZO, Sollich, Burford, Reading Bakery Systems, RONDO, Theegarten-Pactec and SACMI Packaging & Chocolate will be present. This sector will span Halls 1, 3 and 4.
Across six halls (11–14, as well as 5 and 6), the extensive exhibition area for food, beverages, consumer goods and industrial products will see companies including Handtmann, Ashworth, FRITSCH, Gerhard Schubert, Ishida, KHS, Krones, MULTIVAC, Syntegon Technology and Verhoeven bring the latest developments in automation, efficiency and sustainability.
Visitors can already consult the exhibitor and product database online to prepare for their trade fair experience.
Three ‘Hot Topics’ will crystallize the main themes of the exhibition this year: Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills. The significance of these topics is underlined by Markus Rustler, President & CEO at Theegarten-Pactec and President of interpack 2026: “The sector is being shaped by two central trends: sustainable packaging solutions such as cellulose-based or monomaterials, plus rising automation, also in order to reduce dependency on qualified personnel in certain fields. Something is becoming evident at the same time: well-trained employees remain crucial. The main thing companies can do to stand out is offer their employees meaningful tasks that allow them to make a genuine impact.”
“interpack 2026 is more important than ever. Against the backdrop of profound transformation across many sectors, a wide range of topics are on the agenda, including AI, automation, new regulations, the need for future skills, and innovative materials.”
Thomas Dohse, interpack Director
Smart manufacturing
Artificial intelligence, automation and data-based production models are quickly gaining in importance while stricter regulations, cost pressure and skilled labor shortages trigger the need for quick reaction and preparations from the packaging industry.
‘Smart Manufacturing’ will translate to tools, concepts and services enabling more intelligent, sustainable and economical production. The machinery section at interpack will showcase new solutions for this, with the focus area including AI-supported systems, robotics, automation, intelligent controlling, ‘value from data’ and resource efficiency.
Innovative materials
The packaging materials area of the trade fair brings together a concentrated expertise of over 1,000 exhibitors with their variety of packaging solutions, materials and packaging aids. With ‘Innovative Materials’, interpack is once again placing its special focus on this topic, reflecting its central importance to the packaging industry.
Material requirements are constantly increasing and now include new regulatory provisions, higher expectations of sustainability and recyclability, plus additional functional requirements. Under the ‘Innovative Materials’ hot topic, the spotlight will be on materials, material concepts and design approaches that combine functionality, resource efficiency and recyclability. New material technologies that are anticipated to shape the packaging of tomorrow will include highly developed plastics, fiber-based materials and smart coatings. This hot topic will take the stage at the interpack Spotlight Forum on May 12 – program details will be announced.
Seven halls and floors are dedicated to packaging materials, including many premieres by first-time exhibitors. “The variety of materials and their applications at interpack is unique anywhere in the world,” says Thomas Dohse, interpack Director. “By making Innovative Materials our hot topic, we are consciously placing the packaging materials sector at the strategic focus this year and consolidating developments from international markets.”
Packaging materials made of paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, as well as packaging printing solutions can be found in Hall 8a. Paper and cardboard-based packaging occupies a global market share of around 16% for consumer goods, a segment poised for further growth by an anticipated 8% by 2029 (when the next interpack takes place).
Future skills
Qualified employees are the lifeline of any industry. The ‘Future Skills’ hot topic centers around the transformation of the labor force. The focus lies on qualification, promoting young talent, digital know-how and the skills that are required for future-proof processes and technologies.
“interpack 2026 is more important than ever,” Dohse notes. “Against the backdrop of profound transformation across many sectors, a wide range of topics are on the agenda, including AI, automation, new regulations, the need for future skills, and innovative materials. Now is the time to take action together.”
Special events
Alongside the exhibition, special events are also part of interpack’s agenda: they include the Spotlight Forum, where experts discuss current trends, the Start-Up Zone – for fresh ideas and new perspectives, and ‘Women in Packaging, among others.
interpack 2026 opens its doors from May 7 to 13. The 2023 edition had around 143,000 visitors.