Interpack 2026 opens this week in Düsseldorf, bringing the global packaging and processing industry together for one of its most important trade events. Running from 7 to 13 May, the exhibition is expected to attract around 140,000 visitors from across the world, reinforcing its reputation as a central meeting point for machinery suppliers, packaging producers, brand owners and technology developers.

The event has often been described as the “Olympics of packaging and processing”, a comparison that reflects both its scale and its influence. For one week, Düsseldorf becomes a showcase for the technologies, materials and business strategies shaping the future of packaging across food, confectionery, snacks, bakery, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and industrial goods.

For the confectionery, snacks and bakery sectors, Interpack remains particularly relevant. These categories depend heavily on packaging and processing innovation to improve efficiency, protect product quality, extend shelf life and respond to changing consumer expectations. Equipment suppliers are expected to present new systems for wrapping, portioning, filling, inspection, automation and end-of-line handling.

Interpack 2026 will be a major test of how packaging and processing suppliers are responding to regulation, sustainability pressure, automation and supply chain uncertainty.

This year’s edition arrives at a critical moment for the industry. Companies are preparing for new European packaging legislation, including rules that will place stronger emphasis on recyclability, packaging minimisation, material efficiency and circular economy performance. For many suppliers, the ability to help customers adapt to these requirements will be just as important as machine speed or production output.

Environmental considerations are expected to run through many product launches and technical discussions. Packaging producers are under pressure to reduce unnecessary material, support recyclable structures, improve energy efficiency and lower operational waste. At the same time, food and confectionery brands still need packaging that protects sensitive products, supports shelf appeal and performs reliably at industrial scale.

• Automation will be central as manufacturers seek higher throughput and lower labour dependency.
• Sustainability will influence materials, machinery design and packaging formats.
• EU regulation will shape investment decisions across packaging and processing lines.
• Supply chain resilience remains a priority after years of cost and logistics disruption.

Interpack also offers a platform for equipment manufacturers to demonstrate practical solutions rather than concepts alone. Visitors can expect live machinery, integrated production lines and technical demonstrations showing how new systems perform under realistic operating conditions. This is especially important for buyers evaluating equipment for high-volume confectionery, bakery and snack production.

Theegarten-Pactec is among the companies expected to use the event to present equipment developments and discuss market challenges. Its leadership has pointed to ongoing supply chain tests, regulatory changes and opportunities for technical progress as key themes for the sector. These issues are shared widely across packaging machinery manufacturers, many of which are working to combine flexibility, efficiency and lower resource consumption.

For packaging buyers, the event is also an opportunity to compare technologies across the full value chain. Machinery, films, paper-based materials, coding systems, inspection equipment, robotics, digital tools and processing technologies will all be present in one place. This makes Interpack especially valuable for companies looking to redesign production lines or prepare for future packaging formats.

The event’s timing is important because many businesses are moving from sustainability ambition to implementation. Brands that have made public packaging commitments now need scalable solutions that work commercially and operationally. Machinery suppliers that can process recyclable materials, support thinner films, reduce downtime or enable faster changeovers are likely to attract strong interest.

Interpack 2026 is therefore more than a trade show. It is a snapshot of where the packaging and processing industry stands at a moment of transition. The sector must balance cost, performance, sustainability, regulation and consumer expectations, while continuing to deliver safe, attractive and efficient packaging at scale.

As visitors arrive in Düsseldorf, the main question will be which technologies are ready to move from exhibition halls into factories. The answers shown at Interpack will help define the next investment cycle for packaging and processing across confectionery, snacks, bakery and many other sectors.