The global processing and packaging industry is preparing for its largest gathering as interpack 2026 begins next week in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Scheduled to take place from May 7 to 13, 2026, the event is expected to bring together companies from across the value chain to discuss major industry developments, including artificial intelligence, automation, emerging materials and evolving workforce skills.
Roughly 2,800 companies from around the world are expected to present new technologies and concepts designed to shape the future of a globally connected processing and packaging sector.
The broader backdrop for the event reflects both strong demand and mounting pressure across the industry. Global population growth, rapid urbanization and shifts in consumer habits are driving the need for more efficient processing and packaging systems.
At the same time, companies face significant constraints, including shortages of raw materials, tighter regulatory requirements, supply chain risks and an ongoing lack of skilled labor. The upcoming exhibition will emphasize several major themes, including Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills.
Smart Manufacturing highlights data-driven and resource-efficient production methods, ranging from artificial intelligence applications to robotics. Innovative Materials focuses on the development of new packaging substances, enhanced functionality and design-for-recycling concepts. Future Skills addresses the changing nature of work and the competencies required for increasingly digitalized and automated production environments.
Leading Manufacturers Head To Düsseldorf
The scale of participation reflects the event’s global reach. About 2,800 companies from 67 countries are expected to attend, including many of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Firms such as Aasted, Sollich, Theegarten-Pactec and SACMI Packaging & Chocolate will represent the confectionery and bakery sectors, presenting technologies in Halls 1, 3 and 4. The exhibition space dedicated to food, beverage, consumer and industrial goods will span six halls, including Halls 11 through 14 as well as Halls 5 and 6. Companies such as the COESIA Group, Duravant, Gerhard Schubert, Ishida, KHS, Krones, MULTIVAC, Syntegon Technology and ULMA Packaging are expected to showcase advancements in automation, efficiency and sustainable packaging processes.
Packaging materials will be another major focus of the fair, as more than 1,000 exhibitors will present materials and finished packaging products in Halls 7 through 10, reinforcing interpack’s position as the world’s leading trade fair for packaging materials. Labelling and marking technologies will also be featured prominently in Halls 8a and 8b, where companies such as Bluhm Systeme, Domino Printing Sciences and Totani will present their latest systems.
The exhibition further highlights its global scope through the presence of numerous national pavilions. In these dedicated areas, companies from individual countries present collectively under a national banner, pooling expertise and offering visitors a concentrated view of regional capabilities.
A worldwide reach
Pavilions from India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia and several European countries are among those expected to participate. Beyond the exhibition halls, interpack will host a range of accompanying programs designed to foster discussion and highlight emerging ideas. The interpack Spotlight Forum, located near the North Entrance, will feature experts examining industry developments and strategic challenges.
The Start-up Zone will offer a platform for young companies to present new technologies and business models. The exhibition grounds will also host the presentation of the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards. Supplier industries will also play a central role in the event’s programming. Companies will present solutions in areas such as drive technology, control systems, sensor technology, robotics, machine components and industrial software, illustrating the technological infrastructure behind modern processing and packaging operations.
Sustainability and food waste reduction will receive particular attention through several initiatives, including the SAVE FOOD Expert Talks, the SAVE FOOD Highlight Route, the SAVE FOOD Awards and the SAVE FOOD Project Competition. The program will also include Women in Packaging on May 11, which will focus on the role of women in the industry. Meanwhile, interpack TV will provide live coverage from the exhibition grounds, reporting on innovations, trends and perspectives from across the global packaging community.
Start-Ups Take Center Stage at interpack 2026
A growing wave of start-ups is set to reshape the processing and packaging industry, with 22 young companies preparing to showcase their solutions at interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, as the sector accelerates its push toward sustainability and digital transformation.
The Start-up Zone, located in Hall 7a, has more than doubled in size compared with the previous edition, reflecting increased interest in early-stage innovation across the industry. Participants in the Start-up Zone represent eight countries—Germany, Sweden, India, Portugal, South Korea, Austria, Estonia and the UK—highlighting the increasingly global nature of innovation in the sector. Their solutions span a wide range of focus areas, including bio-based and recyclable materials, reusable packaging systems and specialized solutions for healthcare logistics.
Digitalization is also a central theme, with several companies presenting software platforms designed to support ESG reporting, compliance with emerging regulations such as PPWR, product serialization and AI-supported operations management. These technologies reflect mounting pressure on manufacturers and packaging companies to improve transparency, traceability and efficiency across their operations.
In addition to materials and software, the Start-up Zone will feature developments in process technology, including new approaches to mixing systems and intelligent platforms aimed at optimizing packaging workflows. The expansion of the Start-up Zone underscores a broader shift within the industry, where established players are increasingly looking to collaborate with or adopt innovations from smaller, more agile companies. As regulatory demands and sustainability targets intensify, start-ups are emerging as a key source of new ideas and technologies that could shape the next phase of industry development.
Find out more at: https://www.interpack.com/