interpack 2026 Fully Booked
- Published: March 28, 2025
With just over a year to go, the course has been set for interpack: With the themes Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills, the Hot Topics have been determined and reflect the industry's most pressing challenges and innovation drivers. Visitors can once again look forward to a fully booked exhibition center in Düsseldorf, Germany, from May 7-13, 2026.
interpack returns in 2026 with full force – with dynamism, a passion for innovation and intensive exchange of ideas within the global processing and packaging community. Some 2,800 exhibitors and trade visitors from around the world are expected. The Düsseldorf fairgrounds are again fully booked. “Packed halls, high-impact presentations, genuine innovations: anticipation is building for the sector’s no. 1 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 try to find the right solutions.”
The planning provides for a focus on interpack’s eight main visitor target groups: exhibitors offering solutions for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors can each be found in their own respective areas, making orientation easier. And the extensive section at the “heart” of interpack – packaging materials and packaging goods – along with machines for labeling and marking, production of packaging material and integrated packaging printing, are also brought together in their own halls. In addition, there will be the accompanying suppliers’ trade fair “components”, with two separate halls for the first time.
Responses to international challenges
Exchange within this global community is more important than ever in times of social and geopolitical upheaval. Digitalization, resource prices, supply chains, new regulations, altered consumer behavior and the call for more sustainability – all this is having an impact on the sector and changing business models and production processes. At interpack 2026, forward-looking solutions will be presented, impetuses provided and sustainable, efficient and safe packaging and processes methods will be explored.
Hot Topics set clear thematic focuses
In order to meet these challenges, interpack 2026 will focus specifically on forward-looking topics. They form the thematic framework for dialogue, innovation and inspiration. The Hot Topics in 2026 are: Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills.
Smart Manufacturing is synonymous with more intelligent, sustainable and economical producing. The strong machinery segment at interpack will present new solutions for this – for instance in the fields of AI-supported systems, robotics, automation, intelligent controlling, “value from data” and resource efficiency.
The Innovative Materials hot topic will focus on around 1,000 exhibitors in the packaging materials section of interpack. Highly developed plastics, fiber-based materials and intelligent coatings improve product protection and durability. Monomaterials, bio-based solutions and Design for Recycling promote circular use and reduce the use of materials.
All this is only possible with qualified employees. Future Skills will address the transformation of the working world in the sector. The focus will be on qualification, promoting young talent, digital know-how and the skills required for future-proof processes and technologies.
The significance of these topics is underlined by Markus Rustler, President & CEO at Theegarten-Pactec and President of interpack 2026: “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. 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.”
Experience content, take away inspiration
The exhibits will be complemented by numerous specials events. At the Spotlight Forum, experts will discuss the sector’s current trends. The Start-Up Zone will bring fresh ideas and new perspectives onto the stage. With Women in Packaging, interpack will put the spotlight on female professionals and their role in the sector. And with interpack TV, highlights, innovations and voices will be broadcast directly from the fairgrounds to the world.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at interpack 2026, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; (312) 781-5180; E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Visit www.interpack.com and www.mdna.com.
