With a full year’s lead time, interpack 2026 is charting its course with a clear thematic focus.
Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials, and Future Skills will take center stage, reflecting the industry’s most pressing challenges and key drivers of innovation. Once again, visitors can expect a fully booked trade fair in Düsseldorf, a testament to the event’s standing as the preeminent gathering for the global processing and packaging community.
Set to return at full throttle, interpack 2026 is poised to deliver a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering a spirit of innovation across the industry. With an estimated 2,800 exhibitors and thousands of professional attendees from around the world, the event will occupy the entirety of Düsseldorf’s expansive trade fair grounds. “Packed halls, high-impact presentations, genuine innovations: anticipation is building for the sector’s number-one event. If you’ve missed the registration deadline, I can only encourage you to get in touch with us again,” said Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack. “Floor planning is still in flux. We are examining each request individually and trying to find the right solutions.”
The event’s layout is designed to streamline navigation for attendees, grouping exhibitors by their primary markets, including food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food, and industrial goods. At its core, interpack will once again highlight packaging materials, labeling and marking machines, packaging production, and integrated packaging printing in dedicated exhibition halls. Additionally, the suppliers’ trade fair, “components,” will expand into two halls for the first time.
Responding to Global Challenges
Against a backdrop of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, the need for collaboration across the global packaging sector has never been greater. Digitalization, raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, regulatory shifts, evolving consumer preferences, and sustainability concerns are reshaping business models and production processes. Interpack aims to address these challenges by presenting forward-looking solutions, fostering discussions, and promoting the development of sustainable, efficient, and safe packaging methods.
Hot Topics Define the Agenda
To confront these industry-wide challenges, interpack 2026 is centering its discussions on three major themes: Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials, and Future Skills. These topics will serve as the foundation for innovation, dialogue, and inspiration throughout the event.
Smart Manufacturing underscores the importance of intelligent, sustainable, and cost-effective production. The trade fair’s machinery section will showcase the latest advancements in AI-driven systems, robotics, automation, intelligent control systems, data-driven decision-making, and resource efficiency.
Innovative Materials will take the spotlight among nearly 1,000 exhibitors within the packaging sector. From advanced plastics to fiber-based alternatives and smart coatings, new materials are enhancing product protection and extending shelf life. Monomaterials, bio-based solutions, and Design for Recycling strategies will further promote circular use and material efficiency.
Equally vital is the workforce that will drive these innovations. Future Skills will explore how the industry is adapting to a rapidly evolving work environment. Emphasis will be placed on talent development, digital proficiency, and the skills necessary to operate next-generation packaging technologies.
“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,” said Markus Rustler, President & CEO of Theegarten-Pactec and President of interpack 2026. “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.”
Innovation and Engagement
Beyond the exhibition floor, interpack 2026 will offer a robust lineup of special programs designed to engage and inspire attendees. The Spotlight Forum will provide a platform for industry experts to discuss emerging trends, while the Start-Up Zone will introduce fresh ideas and entrepreneurial perspectives. The Women in Packaging initiative will highlight the contributions of female professionals within the sector, and interpack TV will deliver real-time coverage of event highlights, innovations, and key industry insights to a global audience.
With momentum building and a clear vision in place, interpack 2026 is set to reinforce its reputation as the must-attend event for the global packaging and processing industry.
Find out more at: http://www.interpack.de/