Materials transformation will be a strategic focus at interpack 2026, with organisers naming “Innovative Materials” as one of the show’s key themes and dedicating significant floor space to packaging materials, aids and new material concepts.
More than 1000 of the total 2800 exhibitors at this year’s interpack will present packaging solutions, materials and packaging aids across seven halls and floors, creating what organisers describe as a globally diverse showcase of material technologies and applications.
According to Thomas Dohse, director of interpack, the decision to spotlight materials reflects their growing importance as the packaging industry responds to sustainability pressures and regulatory change.
“The variety of materials and their applications at interpack is unique anywhere in the world,” Dohse says.
“By making Innovative Materials one of our hot topics at this year’s event, we are placing the packaging materials sector at the strategic focus and consolidating a wide range of developments from international markets.”
Plastics still dominant
Despite ongoing debate about material choices, plastics continue to dominate global consumer goods packaging. Data from VDMA and Euromonitor indicates that flexible and rigid plastic formats account for around 65 per cent of the market.
This will be reflected on the show floor, particularly in Halls 9 and 10, where suppliers including Sonoco, Taghleef Industries, Jokey and Schütz will present rigid and flexible plastic solutions incorporating recycled content, bio-based materials and downgauged formats.
According to Taghleef Industries, its showcase will include bio-based and recycled films for flexible packaging and labels, alongside mono-material PP films designed to support recyclability and material reduction.
Industrial packaging specialist Schütz will focus on logistics and transport packaging. The company says its display will highlight smart packaging concepts aimed at improving safety, efficiency and resource use in industrial supply chains.
Caps and closures suppliers such as United Caps and Bericap will also be represented, alongside packaging aids including adhesives and adhesive tapes from companies such as Henkel, H.B. Fuller and Tesa.
Fibre-based formats on the up
Paper and board-based packaging currently accounts for about 16 per cent of the global consumer goods packaging market and is forecast to grow by roughly eight per cent by 2029.
Suppliers of paper, cartonboard and corrugated packaging will be located in Hall 8a. Companies including Metsä Board, Stora Enso, Sappi and Koehler Group will present fibre-based packaging materials, alongside printing, coating and labelling technologies.
Companies such as CCL Label and Actega will highlight labelling and coating solutions designed to improve packaging functionality and recyclability.
Metal and glass remain relevant
Metal packaging – particularly cans and related production technologies – will feature in Hall 7a. Companies including Soudronic and Lanico will present equipment and complete canning systems.
Industry data suggests metal packaging currently accounts for around 12 per cent of consumer goods packaging, with forecasts indicating further growth in the coming years.
Glass packaging, which represented approximately eight per cent of retail packaging sales in 2024, is projected to grow by about six per cent by 2029. The Federal Association of the German Glass Industry (BV Glas) will serve as an information hub for visitors in Hall 10.
Open Dialogue
For packaging professionals preparing for Düsseldorf, the materials focus is expected to offer a broad view of how different substrates are evolving in response to sustainability demands and market expectations.
Visitors interested in this theme can attend the interpack Spotlight Forum on 12 May, when “Innovative Materials” will be discussed.
This article was first published in PKN Packaging News March 2026 issue, page 34.
