Artificial intelligence, packaging regulation and materials innovation are dominating the agenda at interpack 2026, according to show director Thomas Dohse, as more than 2800 exhibitors gather in Düsseldorf.
Speaking with PKN Packaging News on the second day of the exhibition, Thomas Dohse, director of interpack at Messe Düsseldorf, said this year’s event reflects a packaging and processing sector undergoing rapid transformation across automation, sustainability and materials innovation.
Dohse said three major themes were consistently emerging across the show floor: the increasing integration of AI and automation into machinery and production processes; the impact of regulatory change – particularly Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); and accelerating development of alternative packaging materials.
“The industry is changing very quickly,” Dohse said, noting that regulatory requirements are pushing packaging producers toward fibre-based materials, mono-material structures and lightweight packaging solutions.
Materials innovation is highly visible at the show, with more than 1000 exhibitors focused on packaging materials and related technologies. Overall, the exhibition is split roughly one-third materials exhibitors and two-thirds machinery exhibitors.
According to Dohse, the official Hot Topics for interpack 2026 – Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills – reflect the major priorities currently shaping the global packaging and processing industry.
Despite the strong technology focus, Dohse emphasised that interpack remains firmly centred on commercially available industrial solutions rather than conceptual future technologies.
“This is not a show for concepts only,” he said. “Companies are presenting technologies that customers can actually implement and purchase.”
The exhibition spans approximately 300,000 square metres of net exhibition space – equivalent to around 40 football fields – and covers eight key industries including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and industrial goods.
Dohse, who has worked with the interpack team since 2005 and has served as show director since 2020, said the event’s strong international participation remains one of its defining characteristics.
More than 70 per cent of exhibitors and visitors come from outside Germany, reinforcing interpack’s role as one of the packaging and processing industry’s most globally connected trade events.
