At interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, APPMA joined industry associations from across Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia for the International Associations Meeting: an open and candid exchange on the state of the global packaging and processing machinery sector.
What emerged wasn’t a single defining trend, but a shared mood: the industry is still moving forward, but with a growing sense of caution.
Across multiple regions, there is still activity in the market. Pipelines are active and opportunities remain, but converting those opportunities into firm orders is taking longer. Investment decisions are being delayed, projects are being re-scoped, and in many cases, uncertainty is influencing behaviour more than any one economic factor.
These insights closely mirror what APPMA is hearing from industry in Australia, the market remains active, but decision-making has slowed.
One of the strongest and most consistent themes in the discussion was the increasing presence of Asian manufacturers in global markets. This is no longer an emerging trend, it is a current reality. Their competitiveness on price, combined with improving capability, is reshaping expectations across the board.
At the same time, customers are changing the way they approach projects. There is a growing expectation for globally aligned solutions rather than regionally delivered ones. For Australian businesses, this highlights the importance of positioning within a global supply chain, not just a domestic one.
Importantly, price is only part of the story. Across all regions, there is a clear shift in what end users are prioritising. Productivity and automation remain critical, but they are increasingly being viewed through the lens of resilience.
End users are asking how they can maintain operations in uncertain conditions, respond quickly to change, and protect output despite fluctuations in supply, cost or demand.
This shift presents opportunity. The ability to deliver flexible, adaptable solutions, supported by strong after-sales service, is becoming just as important as the initial equipment itself. After-sales capability is emerging globally as a key differentiator.
Broader economic and policy pressures are also shaping the landscape. Material costs, tariffs and regulatory changes are adding complexity to decision-making. In some sectors, rising consumer prices are softening demand for higher-value products, with a corresponding impact on capital investment.
At the same time, the structure of the industry is evolving. Consolidation is increasing, with more companies expanding their capability to deliver complete, end-to-end solutions. In parallel, collaboration is becoming more prominent, particularly between OEMs and automation specialists, as businesses look to strengthen their competitive position.
Government support is also playing a growing role in some regions, particularly in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and supporting international market access. Emerging manufacturing hubs continue to gain momentum, adding both competition and opportunity to the global market.
A notable development during interpack 2026 was the launch of a new European initiative, EUROPAMA, aimed at strengthening collaboration and responding collectively to shared challenges, highlighting the importance of coordinated action in an increasingly competitive environment.
For APPMA, participation in the International Associations Meeting reinforces the value of global engagement. The challenges facing the industry are not isolated by geography; they are shared across markets.
Maintaining these international connections ensures that Australian industry remains informed, responsive and aligned with global developments. It also enables APPMA to contribute to the broader conversation, ensuring Australian perspectives are represented on the world stage.
In a market defined by uncertainty, one constant remains: the importance of collaboration, adaptability and a global outlook.
