Australian and New Zealand visitors to interpack attended a networking event on the third day of the show, jointly hosted by Messe Düsseldorf, APPMA and the AIP, giving colleagues an opportunity to connect away from the busy show floor and strengthen industry relationships across the region and beyond.

Walking the halls of interpack 2026, one thing quickly became apparent: sustainability is no longer being treated as a parallel innovation stream. It has become the central framework shaping materials development, packaging formats, printing technologies and even machinery design.

A Kenyan start-up developing fruit-based edible packaging has won the SAVE FOOD Project competition at interpack; and the AIP's Save Food Packaging design guildelines are now in FSCC 22000 version 7.

At interpack, Sidel presented a 1L PET edible oil bottle produced using laser heating, delivering a 20% weight reduction compared with a halogen-blown equivalent while maintaining comparable overall performance.

From AI-enabled systems and integrated vision technology to hygienic design, flexible pouch handling and mono-material readiness, interpack 2026 is revealing a packaging machinery sector focused less on futuristic hype and more on solving practical production challenges.

PKN brings you a quick behind-the-scenes look at the first few days of interpack 2026 — where the halls are buzzing, the machinery is running, and the insights are coming thick and fast.

Powder handling specialist Tsukasa Industry is using interpack 2026 to highlight integrated weighing and automated bag opening technologies. Tsukasa Australia's MD John Bartlett talks to PKN.

Italy’s packaging machinery industry is highlighting AI, automation and export strength at interpack 2026. PKN talks to UCIMA president Riccardo Cavanna and Ipack-Ima CEO Simone Castelli.

Artificial intelligence, packaging regulation and materials innovation are dominating the agenda at interpack 2026. PKN talks to show director Thomas Dohse, as the crowds gather in Düsseldorf.

PKN speaks to Evolabel and Matthews about two new print-and-apply labelling technologies at interpack 2026, targeting cold chain performance and compressed air reduction in logistics.

Linx Printing Technologies has unveiled its new 9000 Series continuous ink jet (CIJ) printer platform at interpack 2026. PKN speaks to Mark Cooper from Linx and David Alexander from Matthews.

PKN speaks to Christoph Trunzer of Grunwald and Jason Valente of Perform PS about about mono-matertial cup filling on the high-speed FOODLINER platform.

PKN spoke to FlexLink and FlexCAM about a new hygienic conveyor range designed for food processing environments, with a focus on simplified cleaning, modularity and space-saving production flow.

At interpack, Frank Bertrand of Tecma Aries, and Rob Winterbottom of FlexCAM tell PKN about the opportunities around the company's next generation of tray forming technology: the FMA die-cut tray former.

PKN spoke to Klaus Vogel and Jason Valente about Meypack's new continuous motion tray-lid case packer at interpack, 2026, delivering high-speed, gentle handling of flexible packaging formats.

At interpack 2026, Cama Group is showcasing a new generation of packaging machinery, edge-enabled HMI technology, and fully integrated cobot automation. PKN spoke to Francesco Riva.