interpack 2026: key focus areas for exhibitors

The interpack year has started and the processing and packaging industry looks to its global industry meeting in 2026 with palpable expectations. In a phase of fundamental decisions – caught between regulation, automation and cost pressure – interpack provides the framework for jointly classifying trends, technologies and solutions.

What moves the sector in the interpack year 2026? The packaging industry continues to undergo fundamental change. Artificial intelligence, automation and data-based production models are quickly gaining in importance while stricter regulations, cost pressure and skilled labour shortages as well as geo-political insecurities change boundary conditions. But technology advances and the rising demand especially for pre-packaged food and pharmaceutical products also open up new scope for companies that selectively invest in future-ready solutions.

In this environment, interpack is of particular significance. Some 2,800 exhibitors will be presenting processing and packaging technologies and concepts in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026. In terms of content, three Hot Topics will set the trade fair scene: Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills.

Answers across the value chain

To Monica Cervellati, Corporate Communication Manager at IMA Group, technical advances, materials and skills are equally in focus: “At interpack 2026, IMA aims to showcase key technological innovations shaping the processing and packaging industry in pharma, medical and food industries. Smart manufacturing, new materials and future‑ready skills guide our vision of the future. The trade fair is essential to showcase technology news, meet industry partners and share our vision of tomorrow.” IMA is the biggest exhibitor at interpack when it comes to size with an extensive participation in Hall 17.

Companies are tasked with making manufacturing processes more stable, flexible and efficient. How they can succeed is demonstrated by Theegarten-Pactec in Hall 1, for instance. “At interpack, we will showcase our latest developments in automation, digitalisation, and process optimisation for packaging technology, as usual. All approaches pursue one clear goal: enabling even greater efficiency in our customers’ processes,” explains President & CEO Markus Rustler.

The more complex manufacturing and packaging processes get, the more important holistic line solutions become. “Coesia will participate at interpack 2026 as the leading partner for integrated lines in Food, Personal Care and Cosmetics, delivering smart and sustainable automation that reduces TCO, increases efficiency and supports long-term customer relationships,” says Alessandro Parimbelli, CEO at Coesia, which will be found in Hall 6.

Multivac also links efficiency, automation and sustainability in its trade fair appearance. CEO Christian Traumann says: “As an innovative and strong partner for processing and packaging food we will showcase added-value solutions that perfectly reconcile the current requirements made on efficiency, automation, digitalisation and sustainability – from skilled crafts to industry. The focal themes here are Smart Packaging and Smart Production. Under the motto ‘Protecting what protects health’ we will additionally present solutions for industry-specific and individual needs of the medical and pharmaceutical industries.”

Caught between regulatory requirements, sustainability targets and efficiency pressures, companies have to re-orient their processes. How to do this is also exemplified by the Marchesini Group in Hall 15. CEO Valerio Soli explains: “Sustainability and robotics will take centrestage to support our customers in implementing the PPWR, balancing product safety, traceability and material recyclability. interpack 2026 will be an important opportunity for the Marchesini Group to showcase cutting-edge aseptic packaging solutions together with AST.”

Hygiene and efficiency in food processing

Product safety and hygiene is a recurring theme offering many new approaches. “Cleanability and resource efficiency are becoming decisive factors for manufacturers facing stricter requirements on food safety, sustainability and operational efficiency. Interpack is an important platform for discussing how technology can support these demands in practice,” says Gitte Svenstrup, Head of Strategy at Aasted. The company can be found in Hall 1.

Sollich and Chocotech will showcase innovations at interpack 2026 that make confectionary production more efficient, hygienic and connected. “Our aim: to show customers how we shape the future with smart technologies and optimised processes. interpack offers precisely the right platform to do so. The Sollich and Chocotec team looks forward to an in-depth exchange at our exhibits at our exhibition stand in Hall 3,” says Klaus-Dietrich Franzmeier, Board Member at Sollich KG.

Innovations in packages and packaging media

However, the trade fair is not only determined by machinery. Boasting well over 1,000 exhibitors the packaging media segment of interpack 2026 is the world’s biggest of its kind. One exhibitor in this segment is Metsä Board in Hall 8a: “Regulation and changing consumer preferences are driving demand for fossil-free and recyclable packaging materials. A key focus for us at interpack is the development of lightweight cartonboard solutions with a reduced carbon footprint, particularly for food and pharma packaging. Through our daily 360 Services workshops, we demonstrate practical, easy-to-recycle packaging design solutions and how brand owners can work to reduce their Scope 3 emissions,” says Erja Hyrsky, SVP, Commercial Operations at Metsä Board, announcing the trade fair appearance.

“Packaging solutions are increasingly driven by sustainability requirements, regulatory readiness and operational efficiency,” says Francesco Giannolo, Vice President, Commercial Consumer Packaging, EMEA/APAC at Sonoco, describing current developments. “Regulatory readiness has become a decisive factor in packaging decisions, pushing brands to prioritise solutions with clear recycling pathways and long-term compliance across markets. This shift calls for partners who can combine sustainability with real industrial expertise. With a long-standing leadership position in sustainable packaging and strong capabilities in both rigid paper and metal packaging, Sonoco Consumer Packaging empowers brands to make confident, future-ready choices.”

The interpack Exhibitor and Product Database will be constantly added to with product news and further information until the trade fair.

This article was originally published by interpack / Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.