Australia’s packaging and processing machinery sector will have a presence at Pack Expo International 2026, with the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) exhibiting at the major North American trade show.
Taking place from 18–21 October at McCormick Place in Chicago, Pack Expo International is expected to bring together 2600 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees from more than 40 vertical markets. Australian companies like Heat and Control, HMPS Propac, TNA, Packserv, BW Packaging and more will be present at the show. PKN will be attending and reporting daily on trends, technology and innovation form the showfloor.
APPMA says its participation will provide an opportunity to deepen relationships with international industry associations, identify developments shaping the global market and promote Australian capability overseas.
“Our participation at PACK EXPO Chicago is about strengthening the global partnerships that elevate our industry,” APPMA CEO Michael Moran said.
“We’re there to build on our relationships with key international associations, gain international insights on the future of the industry, and build excitement for APPEX 2027. It’s about bringing the best of the world back to Australia, and showcasing the best of Australia to the world.”
The association’s attendance comes as machinery manufacturers and suppliers respond to changing requirements around sustainability, automation, materials and production efficiency.
According to new research from show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, more than 82 per cent of end users are actively pursuing sustainability initiatives. The findings are contained in PMMI’s 2026 report, The Ripple Effect: CPG Sustainability and the New OEM Spec Sheet.
PMMI president and CEO Jim Pittas said manufacturers had moved beyond questioning the importance of sustainability and were now assessing which investments could produce measurable environmental and operational results.
“That’s why Pack Expo International 2026 gives them one place to compare technologies in operation, learn from experts, and identify practical solutions for their businesses,” Pittas said.
Sustainability will feature across the exhibition, conference program and several dedicated show-floor destinations.
Three Innovation Stages will host 30-minute sessions examining advances in packaging machinery, materials, automation and digital tools. Topics will include reducing plastic while maintaining load stability, common misconceptions about packaging sustainability and source-reduction strategies in response to extended producer responsibility requirements.
Sustainability Central, presented by Packaging World, will bring together expert presentations and case studies addressing recyclability, circularity, environmental impact and changing regulatory expectations. The program will examine design for recyclability, collaboration across the circular economy and the relationship between product protection and packaging footprint.
Reuse will have a dedicated focus through the Reusable Packaging Learning Center and Reusable Packaging Pavilion, both sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association. The learning centre will cover policy, automation, data and the implementation of reusable systems, while the pavilion will showcase packaging formats intended to reduce waste, improve durability and streamline logistics.
Attendees will also be able to use the Sustainability Solutions Finder to locate PACK EXPO Green exhibitors by sustainability attribute, packaging format or solution category.
The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Smurfit Westrock, will display award-winning packaging from around the world, including designs focused on recyclability, sustainability and material efficiency.
Pittas said manufacturers needed to consider packaging sustainability across materials, equipment and operations rather than looking for a single solution.
“PACK EXPO International gives manufacturers the opportunity to see how packaging design, equipment, reusable systems, and operational improvements can work together to reduce environmental impact while strengthening performance and long-term competitiveness,” he said.
For APPMA, the event will also provide a platform to connect global developments with the Australian market ahead of APPEX 2027, while raising the international profile of the local packaging and processing industry.
