> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://packaging-europe.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Only one week to go until interpack 2026! - URL: https://packaging-europe.ghost.io/only-one-week-to-go-until-interpack-2026/ - Published: 2026-04-30T06:40:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-30T06:40:46.000Z - Author: Packaging Europe staff writers - Tags: Automation & Software, interpack, Business, Collaboration, Sustainability, Smart Packaging, Regulation & Compliance, #layout-s, #type-article, #packaging-europe, #Import 2026-09-08 15:54 [**interpack**](https://www.interpack.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) **2026 will begin in exactly one week – are you ready? Read on for a comprehensive overview of the events, exhibitions, and opportunities available on the show floor, and learn more about Packaging Europe’s live coverage of the event.** --- Approximately 2,800 companies from 67 countries are expected to attend this year’s trade show. Represented industries will include food, confectionery, bakery, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, non-food, and industrial goods. The event will underline three ‘hot topics’: **smart packaging**, **innovative materials**, and **future skills**. This will cover important conversations such as the potential of automation in sustainability applications; design for sustainability, including fibre-based and biobased solutions and multi-layer recyclables; and the role of technology and young talent in the future of the packaging industry. **Spotlight Forum** The Spotlight Forum will see industry representatives, innovators, and technology providers present daily panel discussions, specialist presentations, and practical demonstrations. The Forum will focus on a new theme every day: - **Thursday 7th May** – *Opportunities & Risks of the PPWR* - **Friday 8th May** – *Resource Efficiency* - **Saturday 9th May** – *Smart Packaging* - **Sunday 10th May** – *Smart Systems and AI* - **Monday 11th May** – *Circular Economy* - **Tuesday 12th May** – *Innovative Packaging* - **Wednesday 13th May** – *Young Talents* For a day-by-day breakdown of the talks on offer, [click here](https://www.interpack.com/en/Program/Event%5Fsearch/Program%5Foverview?filter=true&forums=spotlight-forum&ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) to view the full Spotlight Forum itinerary. **Start-Up Zone** In the Start-Up Zone, smaller companies will present their innovations through live demonstrations. Attendees will be given a firsthand view of upcoming industry trends, and will be encouraged to hold direct conversations with innovators and form new connections. Exhibitors include, but are not limited to: [Sykell](https://www.sykell.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Recyda](https://www.recyda.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Pal Plastik](https://www.palplastik.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Konnect Packaging](https://www.konnectpackaging.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Jooyeong](https://www.jooyeong.kr/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Kiud](https://www.kiud.io/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [Gaiapod](https://www.alphacath.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), and [Cell2Green](https://www.cell2green.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io). **Women in Packaging** On Monday 11th May, the [Women in Packaging](https://packagingeurope.com/news/women-in-packaging-programme-returns-at-interpack-2026/14123.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) programme will return to interpack for a second consecutive year. Designed to help female professionals exchange knowledge, make new contacts, and deliver mutual support, the event will open with a keynote speech from [Tetra Pak](https://www.tetrapak.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)’s head of Sustainability Mid Europe, Caroline Babendererde. A panel discussion led by Nerida Kelton, vice president Sustainability & Save Food at the [World Packaging Organisation](https://www.worldpackaging.org/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) and executive director of the [Australian Institute of Packaging](https://aipack.com.au/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), will follow. The panelists will discuss the packaging industry’s progress from a range of professional perspectives. Topic Hubs will also hosttopic-driven networking rounds under the themesof Career Pathways & Mentorship, Community Building & Peer Networks, Personal Branding & Visibility, Balancing Work & Life and Future Generation & Skills. The event will begin at 10:30 AM at Congress Centre Düsseldorf, 2nd Floor, Room 26, 27, 28\. Interested parties can [click here to register](https://www.interpack.com/en/Registration%5Ffor%5FWomen%5Fin%5FPackaging?%5Fgl&ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io). **Young Talents Day** interpack’s [Young Talents Day](https://packagingeurope.com/news/interpacks-young-talents-day-spotlights-packaging-careers-for-young-visitors/14177.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)will take place on Wednesday 13th May, and introduce trainees, students, and young professionals to various industrial pathways. This year, it will foreground one of the trade show’s central themes: future skills. Through the Young Talents Tour, attendees will be encouraged to speak to young industry representatives for insights into their careers and potential pathways into the packaging industry. Meanwhile, the interpack Career Tour will teach school pupils about the ins and outs of industry apprenticeships, including points of entry, potential career prospects, and the range of employers on offer. The Spotlight Forum will also feature the ‘NextGen Plastics powered by IK’ session, which will shine a spotlight on young talent in the industry as they address current industry topics. Additionally, the Science Slam will involve ‘clear and interactive’ presentations as young researchers showcase their work. **WorldStar Packaging Awards** The [WorldStar Packaging Awards](https://worldstar.org/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) ceremony will be taking place on Friday 8th May. With approximately 400 participants expected to attend so far, the ceremony will commemorate a total of 234 winners from 36 countries – [the full list is available here](https://worldstar.org/winners/worldstar/2026/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io). The winning developments range from sustainability-minded material approaches to intelligent and connected packaging solutions, and plenty of other innovations in between. **Save Food Initiative** The [Save Food Initiative](https://www.save-food.org/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) will host its Expert Talks on Tuesday 12th May. International organizations, companies, and initiatives will come together to discuss regulation, packaging innovation, global collaboration, and more – all in pursuit of using packaging to protect food and prevent waste. The [SAVE FOOD Design Awards and the Sustainability Design Awards](https://www.save-food.org/en/Activities/SAVE%5FFOOD%5Fat%5Finterpack/Design%5FSustainability%5FDesign%5FAwards?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) will be presented on-site. The [Food and Agriculture Organization](https://www.fao.org/home/en?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), the [World Packaging Organization](https://www.worldpackaging.org/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), and the [United Nations Industrial Development Organization](https://www.unido.org/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) were among the jury. The [SAVE FOOD Initiative Project Competition](https://www.save-food.org/en/Activities/SAVE%5FFOOD%5Fat%5Finterpack/Project%5FCompetition%5Fof%5Fthe%5FSAVE%5FFOOD%5FInitiative?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) will also underline active efforts to tackle food waste, particularly through a packaging lens. It will award projects that manage their resources responsibly across the supply chain, whether through improved logistics, smart packaging concepts, or contributions to consumer and political progress. Attendees will also be invited to network and exchange knowledge over snacks. **Live coverage** Packaging Europe will attend all seven days of the event to speak to visitors on the show floor and report in real time. Keep an eye out for our rolling coverage, which will go live on the website soon. If you are showcasing an innovation, send your news to [editor@packagingeurope.com](mailto:editor@packagingeurope.com) for a chance to be featured. We will also be sharing exclusive visual content on our [LinkedIn channel](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/packaging-europe?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) – watch this space! **If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:** [***The ultimate guide to packaging innovation in 2026***](https://packagingeurope.com/features/the-ultimate-guide-to-packaging-innovation-in-2026/13821.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) [***Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: what to know in 2026***](https://packagingeurope.com/features/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-packaging-and-packaging-waste-regulation-in-2026/13960.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) [***Everything you need to know about global packaging sustainability regulation***](https://packagingeurope.com/features/report-the-ultimate-guide-to-global-packaging-sustainability-regulation-in-2025/12733.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) [***Strategic learnings from the Sustainable Packaging Summit***](https://packagingeurope.com/features/strategic-learnings-from-the-2025-sustainable-packaging-summit/13750.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)