From x-ray tech to ink and print: What to expect at PPMA Show® 2026

With the UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, the PPMA Show® 2026, just one month away, organisers Automate UK have released further details on some of the solutions being showcased by exhibitors to resolve some of the key issues being faced throughout the sector.

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 22-24 September, the PPMA Show® 2026 will provide visitors with state-of-the-art technologies to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, offer production flexibility and ultimately help to future-proof their businesses.

The manufacturing industry is under enormous pressure at present, having to adapt production lines to accommodate changing materials and packaging formats, improve productivity while reducing waste, and prepare for increasingly demanding legislation surrounding packaging, food safety and sustainability.

Some of the innovative technologies being demonstrated at this year’s event have been designed to improve food safety and product quality, increase reliability and to deliver greater production flexibility to streamline and strengthen operations across manufacturing environments

With more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands in attendance, the PPMA Show® provides visitors with an unmissable opportunity to address the key challenges within their organisations and seek the expert advice, groundbreaking technology and practical solutions available to overcome them.

Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer.

A critical factor affecting the food manufacturing sector is the importance of maintaining product integrity while meeting ever-tightening compliance standards, with inspection, detection and contamination prevention technologies being paramount.

To help streamline these processes, Bizerba (C52) will showcase advanced X-ray inspection, leak detection, packaging and labelling solutions designed to support safer, smarter and more sustainable manufacturing, while Scales and Balances (G60) will highlight the range of high-performance precision weighing technology it offers, ensuring operational accuracy and regulatory compliance through UKAS-traceable calibration and bespoke system integration.

Metal Detection Services (E10), the UK distributor for CEIA industrial metal detection systems, will introduce the new CEIA THS/210 series, the latest generation of conveyorised metal detection systems developed to provide faster setup, improved usability and reliable inspection performance across the food manufacturing spectrum , while BST Detectable Products (J60) and Detectamet (D01) will demonstrate metal-detectable and X-ray visible products designed to minimise foreign body contamination risks across production environments.

With manufacturers under pressure to handle shorter production runs, more product variants and changing packaging materials without sacrificing efficiency, flexibility is key.

BW Packaging (C64), will showcase its extensive range of filling, capping and packaging systems suitable for multiple industries, ELPLAST Europe (G26), its innovative resealable zipper solutions, which improve packaging functionality while adapting to changing consumer demands, while T Freemantle (B10) will guide visitors through the latest sleeving technologies enabling manufacturers to respond quickly to evolving packaging requirements.

With the continued emphasis on smarter packaging, visitors will have access to brand-new coding, traceability and labelling technologies designed to deliver better data, improved product tracking and increased operational visibility.

Packaging machinery solutions specialists Engelmann & Buckham (D60) will launch the FC108; a ink jet full colour printer with full CMYK and HP TIJ 4.0 technology offering high-quality variable data printing at speed, Foenix Coding (B74) will introduce its groundbreaking Eco-Friendly Vegetable Ink for the entire FX ONE range; an innovation engineered for tomorrow’s sustainable packaging lines, and Robatech (D104) will demonstrate intelligent adhesive application systems that reduce waste through precision control.

For a complete list of confirmed exhibitors, full details of the event, and to register for free attendance to the show, visit: https://www.ppmashow.co.uk.