Innovation takes centre stage at Paris Packaging Week 2026

The packaging world will gather in Paris on 5 and 6 February, as more than 900 exhibitors – including Kurz, Heinz, Gainerie Moderne and Arcelor Mittal – take over Hall 1 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The vast space will be transformed into a showcase of the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of packaging.

This year welcomes 155 new exhibitors, among them Carré d’Ébène, Drago, MCC France Ouest and Thepenier Pharma & Cosmetic, bringing a fresh wave of creativity, new ideas and bold projects to the event.

Innovation at the heart of the packaging industry

With the forthcoming European PPWR regulation, the Refill & Reuse Zone is set to be one of the standout features of this edition. Dedicated to sustainable innovation, this new area is organised in partnership with the New European Reuse Alliance (New ERA) – Europe’s leading association promoting refillable and reusable solutions. It will shine a spotlight on the pioneers of reusable packaging and the innovations redefining packaging within a circular, sustainable and desirable model.

Also returning in 2026 is the Discovery Zone, launched in 2025 as a hub for innovation. This year, it offers an expanded vision of the future of packaging, featuring 20 start-ups, new materials and products, and a preview of emerging technologies such as AI and smart packaging that are reshaping the industry.

Following its success last year, the PCD Full-Service Zone will also be back for a second edition, with a larger space and more exhibitors, offering an enhanced focus on luxury, cosmetics and fragrance packaging.

Creativity and industry insights take centre stage: the Pentawards Festival and the “Perspectives” Trend Report

A global landmark for packaging design, the Pentawards Festival returns to Paris Packaging Week on 5 and 6 February 2026 for its second edition. This international celebration of creativity will feature two days of talks, debates and immersive experiences, offering a deep dive into the design trends and innovations shaping the future of packaging.

For the second consecutive year, Paris Packaging Week will also present its Perspectives 2026 Trend Report, themed “Cool & Conscious”. Designed as a key reference for the industry, the report explores one of the most powerful movements in packaging today: designs that balance desirability, aesthetics and sustainability. “Cool & Conscious” reflects a new generation of packaging — beautiful, thoughtful, and responsible — where creativity and ethics go hand in hand.

The report brings together insights from designers, brands, agencies and researchers, all sharing their vision of a future where style and sustainability create lasting value. Among this year’s contributors are Louis Marty, CEO of Merci Handy, and Frédéric Dreux, Global R&D Packaging Director at Unilever, who discuss how brands are redefining their identities to unite creativity, environmental responsibility and user experience.

Louis Marty, CEO of Merci Handy, said: This project perfectly reflects our vision: showing that it’s possible to create colourful, vibrant packaging that’s both eye-catching and environmentally conscious. At Merci Handy, we love demonstrating that sustainable beauty can be fun and full of magic.

A new chapter of innovation begins at Place Vendôme

Since the first edition of PCD in 2001, Paris Packaging Week has championed creativity and excellence through its prestigious Innovation Awards. In 2026, this celebration of innovation will reach a new level with the launch of the Innovation Awards Party – an exclusive evening event held on the eve of the show at one of Paris’s most iconic venues, the Pavillon Vendôme, Place Vendôme. The event will officially open Paris Packaging Week in true style.

This year also marks another milestone: the Packaging Première Innovation Awards will, for the first time, join the ADF, PCD and PLD Innovation Awards. Together, they will celebrate the most outstanding achievements in luxury packaging – from gourmet products and fashion accessories to watches and jewellery – bringing all sectors of the event under one roof for a single, prestigious celebration.

The entries will be judged by a panel of leading experts in packaging innovation and design from top international brands and agencies, with awards recognising technical innovation, design excellence, user experience and sustainability.

Paris Packaging Week 2026

Paris Packaging Week offers a tailored experience through its four market-specific exhibitions, each dedicated to a key sector of the packaging industry:

• ADF – the leading event for the aerosol and dispensing systems market
• PCD – the global meeting place for beauty packaging, spanning skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance
• PLD – the essential event for premium and luxury drinks packaging
• Packaging Première – dedicated to luxury packaging for fashion, watches, jewellery and fine food
• Pentawards Festival – the global celebration of design and creativity in packaging.

Visitor registration is now open – free of charge – at parispackagingweek.com.

Practical information

• Dates: 5–6 February 2026 (Innovation Awards Gala Party: 4 February)
• Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Hall 1

This article was originally published by Paris Packaging Week.