Highlights of interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf – A Report
interpack 2026 took place in Düsseldorf from May 7 to 13. Once again, the world’s leading trade fair for processing and packaging technology brought together numerous experts, innovators, and decision-makers from around the globe to present, explore, and discuss the latest trends, technologies, and solutions in the packaging sector. Among the highlights was the Spotlight Forum—a high-caliber stage program featuring international speakers, panel discussions, and the presentation of best practices regarding the industry’s most pressing issues. We were there in person and were fascinated by the many innovations, which, of course, are primarily aimed at compliance with PPWR requirements. Below, we report on the most interesting innovations. But first, here is some basic information about interpack.
General Information About interpack
From the production and finishing of packaging materials, through the packaging process itself and distribution, to quality assurance, the trade show covers the entire value chain. Every three years, representatives from various industries—including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and manufacturing—gather in Düsseldorf to exchange information and inspire one another.
Some figures for interpack 2026:
– 2,804 exhibitors from 65 countries
– 127,000 trade visitors from 161 countries (approx. 75 percent from abroad)
– approximately 175,000 square meters of exhibition space, divided into six sections
Featured Topics
Sustainability and the circular economy: Recyclability and the circular economy were once again the dominant themes. From innovative materials to scalable best practices, exhibitors demonstrated what a sustainable packaging industry could look like.
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation was a pervasive topic. Discussions focused on requirements analyses, implementation strategies, and digital declarations of conformity.
Digital Transformation and Automation: Another key focus was on smart manufacturing, software-defined factories, and AI-supported quality assurance.
Innovative Materials and Design for Recycling: Many exhibitors focused on new material solutions, monomaterials, and design approaches aimed at facilitating recycling.
Smart Labeling and Digital Product Passports: 2D codes and digital product passports, as key components for compliance and traceability throughout the entire supply chain, also played an important role at the trade show.
PPWR: Setting the Pace for interpack 2026
Almost everything revolved around the EU’s new Packaging Regulation: The majority of the products and innovations presented at the trade show were clearly geared toward meeting the requirements of the PPWR. Furthermore, it was the dominant topic in most discussions. The primary focus was on the following PPWR regulations:
– Article 7: Minimum recycled content in plastic packaging -> PCR (post-consumer recycled material) is on the rise
– Article 10: Minimization of packaging weight and volume -> evident in material reduction, lightweighting, and single-piece components
– Article 24: Reduction of empty space -> e.g., through innovative machine solutions for flexible carton sizes
– Article 25 + Annex V: Optimization of multipacks and bundling solutions -> new bundling approaches without plastic components are on the rise
Overall, we noticed a significant shift in trends at interpack 2026—away from paperization and toward PCR. In addition, many new developments were characterized by monomaterials and design for recycling. And while bio-based and compostable approaches were still present, they were no longer as prominent.
Trend 1: Weight and Material Reduction
Article 10 of the PPWR poses significant challenges for companies across a wide range of industries. In the future, packaging must be as lightweight and material-efficient as possible. At the trade show, exciting developments were presented in this regard—particularly for tubes and pouches—that focus on material savings, resource efficiency, and PPWR compliance while maintaining functionality.
At interpack 2026, Bericap demonstrated that even a seemingly trivial component like a bottle cap still offers potential for further improvement after more than two and a half decades of development: “The Closure Company” managed to reduce the weight from 8.3 grams in 1999 to 4.2 grams in 2025, mainly by reducing the cap height and wall thickness; the material is now concentrated only where it is absolutely necessary for sealing and closure security.
Trend 2: PCR – increasing use of post-consumer recycled material
According to Article 7 of the EU Packaging Directive, companies are expected to increasingly rely on PCR for their packaging. At the trade show, we observed that the use of post-consumer recycled content is increasingly shifting from the exception to the norm—and not just for predictable products: From stretch film to PS or PP cups to flexible pouches, a wide variety of packaging on display featured high PCR content.
Among other things, we found the use of rPS—that is, recycled polystyrene—in contact with food to be particularly noteworthy. What was barely imaginable just a few years ago is now a reality. No wonder innovators are using the PCR content as an active communication tool on the packaging—after all, 70 or even 90 percent is very impressive.
We also noticed niche applications, such as security labels made partly from PCR. They demonstrate that recycled content can now be incorporated even into technically demanding products.
Trend 3: Single-material products
Driven by the PPWR’s requirements for recyclability and higher PCR content, an increasing number of packaging products are made from single-material. This trend was particularly evident at interpack 2026 in the areas of tubes and flexible packaging/pouches: traditional multilayer laminates are increasingly being replaced by recyclable single-material structures in these sectors. This applies primarily to PE and PP—they offer an established material base with a mature recycling infrastructure. In any case, “Design for Recycling” serves as the guiding principle: monomaterial enables single-material collection and thus creates the conditions for high-quality recycled material.
Trend 4: Alternative Materials
New alternative materials are showcased at every trade show for packaging innovations. At the event held in Düsseldorf in mid-May 2026, the following solutions stood out:
– Wood instead of cardboard for displays: The advantages include greater durability, the resulting reusability, and easy assembly thanks to a click-together system.
– Cardboard instead of wood for pallets: Cardboard pallets are up to 70 percent lighter than conventional wooden pallets, which significantly reduces the total weight of the cargo and, consequently, freight costs. In addition, they ensure very straightforward international export and are safer and easier to handle.
– Starch-based materials, such as those derived from potatoes: They are biodegradable and reduce both plastic waste and microplastics as well as CO2 emissions. In this way, they contribute to climate and environmental protection. Furthermore, they can generally be easily produced using conventional manufacturing machinery and are versatile in the packaging industry. The spectrum ranges from flexible films—such as for organic waste bags—to dimensionally stable packaging.
– Dry-molded fiber solutions from PulPac: Dry-molded fiber is an innovative, nearly waterless manufacturing process for forming three-dimensional packaging and products from cellulose fibers. Since the production process does not use water and generates significantly less CO2, it is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic. We will discuss this in more detail below.
– “Muoto” – Laminated Fiber Concepts for MAP or VSP Applications (MAP = Modified Atmosphere Packaging; VSP = Vacuum Skin Packaging): “Muoto” is an innovative 3D molded fiber solution from Metsä Spring. The material is manufactured directly from wet wood fibers. It is used to produce lightweight, dimensionally stable, and environmentally friendly packaging.
Trend 5: New bundling approaches
In response to restrictions on the use of certain packaging formats under Article 25 and Annex V of the PPWR, an increasing number of companies are exploring alternative bundling approaches. To reduce the use of traditional shrink-wrap multipacks, there is a growing trend toward specialized options using paper bands or clips. Minimal packaging solutions for bottles and cans also caught the eye at the trade show.
Trend 6: Automation and Robots
The well-known robotics company Boston Dynamics had its own booth at interpack 2026. Spot, an agile four-legged walking robot with 360-degree perception, attracted particular attention. It was developed for industrial inspections, autonomous exploration, and data collection in hard-to-reach environments—such as construction sites, factories, or power plants. Spot climbs stairs effortlessly, navigates rough terrain, and picks itself back up after a fall. Thanks to advanced AI models, the robotic dog can patrol, avoid obstacles, and independently perform measurements or inspections. It can be equipped with thermal cameras, acoustic sensors, and laser scanners to, for example, detect leaks or read analog instruments.
Interesting fact: The robot dog was on display not only at its manufacturer’s booth but also at the IMA booth. The company has integrated it into its own automation solutions—an example of how Spot and other robots like it are increasingly gaining a foothold in the packaging industry. In fact, several exhibitors at the trade show presented concepts for the use of humanoid robots in packaging and logistics processes.
A Closer Look at Some Particularly Exciting Approaches
Following this general overview, we will now take a closer look at selected innovations. These include solutions from BSAF, Multitubes, Greiner Packaging, United Caps, IMA, KHS, Krones, and PulPac.
BSAF: Adhesive Innovations
The German company BSAF, one of the world’s largest chemical companies, showcased impressive adhesive solutions at the trade show: acResin UV 3532 and Epotal CF 511.
acResin UV 3532 is a special UV-curing acrylate hot-melt adhesive designed for labeling glass and, above all, PET bottles. During the recycling process, the labels peel off without leaving any adhesive on the packaging or in the washing solution. The adhesive adheres to the label and is removed along with it, ensuring a cleaner PET stream. It is certified by RecyClass for PET bottles. The adhesive also offers a significant advantage in terms of packaging design: it is colorless, thereby ensuring optimal brand representation on transparent labels.
Epotal CF 511 is a water-based laminating adhesive for multilayer film-foil composites, such as PET trays for sausage and cheese. It facilitates delamination and the circular economy of plastic packaging in accordance with strict EU guidelines. Unlike many solvent-based systems, this adhesive does not form primary aromatic amines (PAAs) during recycling, which significantly increases safety throughout the supply chain. The system is approved for direct food contact (Food-Contact Approved) and is completely free of organic solvents. Additionally, the adhesive offers high initial bond strength. The laminated films do not need to be stored temporarily at the plant for days on end, but can be processed and cut immediately. This saves time, storage space, and costs. And: The adhesive has an integrated, unique near-infrared signature (NIR signature), making it clearly identifiable.
Multitubes: tubes made with less material
Multitubes’ material-reduced tubes demonstrate how packaging can be made significantly more resource-efficient through design optimizations. Material savings are achieved through several approaches, starting with a flatter cap design: Because the cap is lower, the tube requires less material overall, as the design can be made slimmer.
In addition, Multitubes relies on larger tube formats with higher filling volumes. Thanks to a doubling of the filling capacity, in many applications one large tube can replace two smaller ones, thereby eliminating the need for a cap entirely.
Particularly innovative is the so-called shoulderless tube. Here, the shoulder and cap are manufactured as an integral component, so that the cap simultaneously takes on the function of the shoulder and is firmly connected to the tube body. According to the company, this reduces raw material consumption by around 25 percent.
Furthermore, it is a 100% PE monomaterial solution with a RecyClass A rating, ensuring high recyclability. Additionally, the tube can be manufactured with a proportion of PCR material (post-consumer recycled PE) in food- or cosmetics-grade quality.
Greiner Packaging: Click-in Sealing Lids
Greiner Packaging’s Click-In Sealing Lid is an innovative, resealable packaging solution that completely eliminates the need for a conventional aluminum foil liner or other sealing insert. This reduces the packaging from three components to just two—namely, the cup and the lid—which significantly simplifies recycling and reduces the carbon footprint. In addition, the lid and cup can be made from the same material: PP, PET, or rPET. As a result, the packaging can be recycled directly and highly efficiently in the same recycling stream.
The lid snaps into place via a clever internal locking mechanism. It holds the contents absolutely secure even if the cup tips over or is turned upside down. When reclosing, the lid produces a click that can be felt and heard. This gives consumers immediate assurance that the product is airtight.
The Click-In sealing lid also impresses in terms of technology and compatibility. It is suitable for both thermoformed and injection-molded cups in various shapes (such as round, rectangular, or square). It can be easily integrated into existing thermal sealing processes as well as ultrasonic sealing technologies in standard filling lines. And: The design allows for seamless, full-surface printing or decoration of the cup right up to the sealing edge.
United Caps: Cap Prototypes
The research and development center of the Luxembourg-based company United Caps, located in Sophia Antipolis in southern France, specializes in the rapid development of custom closures. With its own in-house development team and on-site 3D printing capabilities, the center produces prototypes for innovative lids and new shapes.
An overview of the key services and conditions:
– Prototyping & small-batch production: Rapid sample production for testing and market launches.
– 3D printing technology: Direct implementation of 3D-printed tools for maximum flexibility.
– Rapid implementation: Market-ready products and prototypes are typically produced within 2 weeks.
– Expert team: An in-house development and design team supports the project from concept to final solution.
– Open to new ideas: The department works closely with customers and is open to new developments.
IMA: Modular Box Height
IMA’s modular E-CO-Flex cartoning system is an excellent solution for meeting the strict PPWR requirements outlined in Articles 24 and 10, as it reliably reduces void volume to less than 50 percent and optimizes e-commerce processes through customized packaging.
During the run, the product height is measured inline via laser scanning, allowing the system to determine the required box height in real time. Based on this data, the so-called “right-sizing” process takes place: the box corners are automatically cut precisely to the required product height. This results in perfectly fitting packaging without unnecessary volume.
With a capacity of up to 500 cycles per hour, the system is also suitable for demanding production environments with high throughput. At the same time, the modular design ensures maximum flexibility, as different height dimensions and formats can be processed without being limited to rigid carton sizes.
The E-CO-Flex cartoning system also offers various options for closure types: both self-folding and gluing using water-sensitive adhesive tape are possible, as well as the alternative of attaching a separate lid. IMA demonstrated these variants live at the trade show.
KHS and Krones: Modular Use of Materials
The bundling machines from KHS and Krones enable the processing of plastic and paper bundles within a single system. Their systems are available both as new installations and as retrofit solutions for existing machines, thereby offering bottlers and packaging companies a high degree of investment security.
By processing both materials in parallel, changeover times can be reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the performance gap between paper and plastic applications has been significantly narrowed: While paper bundles can be processed at up to 80 cycles per minute, plastic solutions achieve around 100 cycles per minute. As a result, more sustainable packaging options are increasingly approaching the established performance levels of traditional plastic applications.
The development of these solutions is also a direct response to the requirements of the PPWR, particularly Article 25 and Annex V, which call for a reduction in traditional shrink-film multipacks. Both KHS and Krones are pursuing conceptually very similar approaches, but each relies on proprietary systems that are not compatible with one another.
A key advantage of this modular use of materials lies in the newly gained flexibility: The choice of packaging material is increasingly becoming a day-to-day operational decision rather than a long-term investment decision. This allows companies to respond more quickly to customer requirements, market trends, and regulatory changes.
PulPac: Blister aus Dry Molded Fiber
PulPac positions Dry Molded Fiber as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic blister packs. This fiber-based blister solution is particularly well-suited for pharmaceutical, FMCG, and consumer health products and aims to significantly reduce or completely replace PVC and other single-use plastics.
According to the manufacturer, the process enables a carbon footprint that is up to 80 percent lower compared to conventional plastic blisters. Additionally, the production process is characterized by very low water consumption. Unlike traditional wet-laid fiber processes, no energy-intensive drying process is required. For low-barrier applications, the packaging is also recyclable via the paper stream.
Particularly relevant for industrial implementation is that dry-molded fiber solutions enable comparable geometries and similar tablet counts as traditional PVC blisters. As a result, existing packaging logic and consumer requirements are largely maintained.
The development is being carried out in collaboration with PA Consulting as part of the so-called “Blister Pack Collective,” in which major brands such as Bayer and Sanofi are participating.
In addition to the familiar tablet blister, other applications were presented at the trade show, including packaging solutions for COVID-19 tests and shell-like containers for earplugs.
UBLO Roll-to-Bottle: Packaging straight from the film roll
With its patented Roll-to-Bottle technology, UBLO presents a fundamentally new approach to inline packaging production: bottles and pouches are produced directly at the production site from film rolls—without injection molding, extrusion, or melting processes. The technology can be fully integrated into the filling line and achieves a throughput of up to 30,000 units per hour. Materials that can be processed include PP, PE, and PLA, as well as multilayer structures with an oxygen barrier (EVOH). The process is suitable for retort sterilization, hot filling, microwave applications, and aseptic processes. Since empty containers do not need to be transported or stored, logistics costs and CO₂ emissions can be significantly reduced. At the same time, higher hygiene standards are achieved, as forming takes place immediately before filling, minimizing contamination risks. Additional benefits include lower material costs, reduced packaging weight, and flexible formats—ranging from bottles to stand-up pouches and spouted pouches. Rapid format changes and on-demand production also enable iterative packaging development in collaboration with the customer, from 3D design through to series production.
Closing Remarks
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