The packaging industry and the plastics processing sector will meet again during the 11th edition of the Warsaw Pack 2026 International Packaging Technology and Packaging Fair. For years, the event has been one of the key platforms for presenting technologies, machinery and material solutions for industry in Central and Eastern Europe, and its importance is growing along with subsequent regulatory changes concerning packaging and the circular economy. The organisers emphasise both the exhibition part and the extensive conference programme, focused on the practical interpretation of new legal requirements and their translation into the daily operations of packaging manufacturers and plastics processors.
The thematic scope of the fair covers the full spectrum of solutions for the packaging industry, from advanced packaging machines, complete technological lines and process automation systems, through packaging materials based on polymers and alternative raw materials, to marking, coding and quality control systems. An important area of the exhibition is also technologies supporting the design and implementation of packaging, including CAD/CAM software tools and 3D sampling solutions used in the development and testing of new packaging concepts.
Processing technologies and material solutions
In the exhibition area of Warsaw Pack 2026, technologies covering the entire value chain in the packaging sector will be presented. For plastics processors, solutions related to the production of packaging using polyolefin recyclates, including polyethylene, and methods of adapting existing production lines to operate with recycled materials are of particular importance. Stands will feature both packaging machinery and peripheral equipment, as well as packaging materials with diverse structures, designed for compliance with the requirements of mechanical and chemical recycling.
The exhibition will also include marking and labelling systems, solutions for vision inspection and leak testing, as well as tools supporting quality analysis of plastic products. Software solutions enabling modelling of packaging structures, simulation of material behaviour and rapid prototyping using additive methods are dedicated to packaging manufacturers and designers, facilitating the adaptation of designs to new regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
The EU circular economy policy and planned requirements regarding recycled content, reusability and recyclability of packaging remain an important context for the technologies presented. Manufacturers of machinery and materials will showcase solutions designed to help packaging producers and plastics processors adapt to future market and regulatory standards.
“Packaging of the future in the light of PPWR” in manufacturing practice
One of the key items on the fair agenda will be the conference “Packaging of the future in the light of PPWR – regulations, materials, design”, organised by the Creative Packaging Group cluster. The conference is practical in nature and focuses on the operational approach to the requirements of the PPWR regulation, from the selection of packaging materials to design decisions that can be implemented in manufacturing plants.
The programme covers issues related to the production of packaging from polyethylene recyclates, technological and quality challenges in processing, and ensuring consistent performance parameters of finished products. It will also address aspects of the chemical safety of packaging, including requirements for migration testing and methods for maintaining conformity documentation and risk analysis. Particular attention will be paid to ecodesign within the Reduce – Reuse – Recycle model, including material selection, the construction of packaging and labels, and the potential simplification of multimaterial structures to improve recyclability.
An integral part of the conference will be workshops based on real examples of materials and industrial implementations. Participants will have the opportunity to analyse specific design solutions, assess their compliance with PPWR assumptions and discuss potential directions for modifying existing packaging portfolios. The format of the meeting has been planned to combine expert presentations with the exchange of experience between industry representatives.
Design the Future of Packaging – regulations, compliance and research projects
In the face of dynamic regulatory changes and increasing environmental requirements, the conference programme of the event is gaining particular importance. The conference “Design the Future of Packaging – powered by Natureef” focuses on the future of packaging design and the implementation of safe and sustainable material solutions. The implementation of the PPWR regulation and its consequences for plastic packaging manufacturers, processors and raw material suppliers will be at the centre of attention.
The programme includes topics related to the use of compliance assessment tools based on CEFLEX and RecyClass guidelines, which are increasingly used by value chain participants as a reference in the design of plastic packaging. Conference attendees will also learn about selected international research projects on the safety and functionality of packaging intended for the food and cosmetics sectors, which is particularly important in the context of food contact requirements as well as product shelf life and protection.
The event is being developed with the involvement of 65 member companies of the Natureef Association and in cooperation with European partners, including the European Partnership for Packaging, the ScreenFood project and the BEFORE and SME Beyond initiatives. For plastic packaging manufacturers, processors and raw material suppliers, this is an opportunity to analyse future design and material requirements arising from the EU circular economy policy and to prepare strategies for adapting their product portfolio to new regulations.
7th Packaging Industry Congress at the centre of industry debate
An integral part of Warsaw Pack will be the 7th Packaging Industry Congress organised by the Polish Chamber of Packaging. This is a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience for packaging manufacturers, technology suppliers, experts and representatives of public administration and industry institutions. The congress programme focuses on the technological transformation of the sector, the implementation of environmentally oriented solutions and the impact of European regulations on the development of the packaging market.
The agenda includes presentations on adapting production plants to new legal conditions, strategies for reducing the environmental impact of packaging, and analysis of market trends resulting from the implementation of circular economy principles. The event is held under the honorary patronage of the World Packaging Organisation and the European Packaging Institutes Consortium, which underlines its international character and status in the industry calendar.
EPR systems and the circular economy
During the fair, a conference organised by Rekopol will also take place, entitled “Packaging in the circular economy. Extended producer responsibility. Responsibility of individual system participants”. The meeting will focus on the practical aspects of the operation of the extended producer responsibility system in Poland and legislative changes concerning the packaging economy.
In the context of the planned amendments to the draft act and the ongoing legislative work, experts will discuss possible scenarios for implementing an effective extended producer responsibility system, taking into account the role of packaging manufacturers, brand owners, system operators and local authorities. The discussion will also cover links between the EPR system and targets for collection and recycling rates of packaging waste, as well as the importance of waste stream quality for the effectiveness of the entire circular economy model.
Cooperation between industry organisations and the importance of Warsaw Pack for the sector
The strong focus on substantive content is highlighted by close cooperation with key industry organisations. The partners of the fair and conferences are Natureef, Creative Packaging Group, Rekopol and the Polish Chamber of Packaging, and the Polish Chamber of Flexographers provides industry patronage. The involvement of organisations representing different segments of the packaging value chain supports the exchange of information, clarification of expectations regarding new regulations and the identification of directions for technological and material adjustment.
The combination of an exhibition of technologies, machinery and material solutions with expert debate on the future of regulations and sector transformation makes Warsaw Pack one of the most important events for the packaging industry and plastics processing in the Central and Eastern European region. For packaging manufacturers, plastics processors, raw material and technology suppliers, as well as retailers and brand owners, the event provides a platform for analysing upcoming requirements, assessing available solutions and building cooperation aimed at compliance with European Union policy in the area of the circular economy.
More information on the fair programme, conferences and participants is available on the organiser's website at: https://warsawpack.pl.
