Interpack 2026 announces the continuation and further development of the “interpack TV Live” format, under which trade fair coverage is to be produced from a TV studio, both on-site and online. The programme is intended to deliver talks, analyses and industry commentary on trends, innovations and topics considered key to the global processing and packaging sector. The project, launched for the first time in 2023, is to be expanded, and its preparation is being carried out in cooperation with the trade title packaging journal. Broadcasts are planned for the entire duration of the trade fair, from 7 to 13 May, as live transmissions as well as online and on-demand access.
The production hub is to be the TV studio located at the North Entrance. At the same time, content is to be streamed to the websites and channels of interpack and packaging journal. German- and English-language segments are to alternate and remain available after the trade fair ends. The organisers also point to the programme page: https://www.interpack.com/interpack-live.
Market, regulation and outlook
Among the announced themes, significant attention is to be given to the conditions currently shaping the industry, including the situation on international markets, geopolitical factors and regulatory requirements. The programme is expected to cover, among other topics, the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), sustainability assessment issues, as well as developments in mechanical engineering, raw materials and the labour market.
The programme preview mentions, among others, Markus Rustler (Theegarten-Pactec), who is to analyse the impact of tariffs, geopolitical crises and regulation, and Richard Clemens (VDMA), who is to present a perspective on the future of mechanical engineering. The listed speakers also include Carolina E. Schweig, addressing packaging trends at the intersection of regulation and sustainability, and Dr Natalie Brandenburg (German Packaging Institute), presenting the current market situation. Participation is also announced for Dr Martin Engelmann (IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackung) in the context of raw material shortages and price trends, Thomas Reiner (German Packaging Institute) with a market situation perspective, and Thomas Schmitt (HR consultant) on responding to the skills shortage.
Consumers, the circular economy and legal requirements
Within the “Packaging Background” and “Packaging Regulation” categories, the programme is to focus on consumer perspectives, the circular economy and regulatory requirements. Topics indicated include consumers’ assessment of sustainable packaging, the role of materials such as glass, and the digital product passport as an element supporting closed material cycles.
As examples of announced contributions, the preview points to Christiane Nelles (German Glass Industry Association) on the role of glass as recyclable packaging, Daniel Bornemann (Simon-Kucher) on consumer evaluations, and Dr Benedikt Brenken (R-Cycle) on the digital product passport. In the regulatory area, contributions are announced from, among others, Der Grüne Punkt on the recycling of plastic packaging, as well as David Strack (SUSY) and Siddharth Bagri (PackIntelX) on PPWR compliance and Alexander Reitz (PreZero) on design strategies. In addition, Dr Markus W. Pauly (solicitor) is to outline the requirements under the PPWR and the Packaging Law Implementation Act.
Technological solutions and practical application
The “Packaging Solutions” category is intended to present technological approaches covering the entire value chain, from digitised production environments to new packaging solutions. The focus is to be placed on efficiency, process resilience and sustainability in industrial practice.
According to the programme preview, contributions from mechanical engineering, automation and packaging development are to include, among other topics, software-based production models, integrated packaging solutions and new labelling technologies. The organisers also announce examples of implementations of sustainable packaging concepts, circular solutions and modular machine approaches. This is to be complemented by analyses of extended packaging functions and safety standards in mechanical engineering, with the programme to be rounded off by discussion formats on automation, service concepts and industry-specific applications.
Trends and future outlook
In the “Packaging Trends” category, the focus is to shift to future developments in materials, technologies and business models. Topics listed include sustainable packaging materials, new design approaches and the role of reusable and co-packing concepts.
According to the preview, presentations from research, industry and market analysis are to show the development of alternative materials, including those based on textile waste or cellulose, and their potential role in the future. In parallel, tools for assessing recyclability and new approaches to packaging design are to be presented. Further sections of the programme are to address the future of mechanical engineering, the growing importance of reusable systems in e-commerce, and the role of co-packing in global supply chains. The programme is to be complemented by findings from market research and design, referring to changing consumer behaviour and new requirements for packaging solutions.
