interpack 2026, the global trade fair for the processing and packaging industry, drew 2,804 exhibitors from 65 countries and trade visitors from 161 nations when it was held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, Germany, from 7–13 May 2026. The event, which ran across fully booked exhibition grounds, also featured the concurrent supplier fair ‘components’, with approximately 100 exhibiting companies. The 2026 edition set a new record for exhibitor numbers.
Of the total visitors, 75% came from outside Germany, including 28% from non-European regions. Exhibitors presented solutions spanning automation, data-based applications, flexible plant concepts, sustainable packaging materials, and compliance with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
interpack China 2026 launch
On May 8, a press conference held alongside the main event marked the official launch of interpack China 2026. The event drew media representatives and delegates from Singapore, India, Japan, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Austria, and other countries.
Celine To, general manager of Adsale Exhibition Services; Evian Gu, general manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai); senior project director Larry Chen; and deputy director Allan Wang outlined preparatory progress and the strategic roadmap for the Shanghai edition.
Scheduled for 16–18 November 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), interpack China 2026 will span 70,000 square meters across five halls. The organizers expect the event to host over 970 domestic and international enterprises and attract approximately 47,000 trade visitors, with international attendees projected to account for 20%.
The exhibition will feature dedicated zones including the Paper-Based Sustainable Packaging Zone, the Scenario-based Smart Connectivity Zone, the Packaging Products & Material Hall, and International Halls. Highlighted themes include smart interactive packaging, paper-based high barrier materials, net-zero and low-carbon packaging, PPWR and EPR compliance, and AI packaging design. The organizers also plan to upgrade the Hosted Buyer Program to attract additional international buyers.
Chinese exhibitors at interpack 2026
Several Chinese companies participated in interpack 2026 and are also slated to exhibit at the Shanghai edition.
BHI showcased its AI-powered X-ray inspection equipment, which the company said is built on a nationally patented general AI inspection algorithm capable of identifying micro-contaminants such as 0.05 mm metal wires and 0.1 mm stainless-steel spheres. According to BHI, the system is designed for applications including foreign object detection, dual-energy bone fragment scanning, seal leakage inspection, fishbone detection, bulk material screening, side-view bottle inspection, cosmetic defect inspection, ultra-wide scanning, and multispectral analysis.
Acepack, making its fifth appearance at the exhibition, presented its full-servo horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) machine, full-servo pre-made pouch machine, and full-servo multi-lane packaging machine. The company said the machines offer high-precision operation, easy maintenance, and strong overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), serving the food, personal care, home care, and pharmaceutical sectors.
ELE Motion made the global debut of its HVC520 high-speed vertical packaging machine. Built on a modular platform designed for sanitary environments, the machine is said to achieve stable operating speeds of up to 180 bags per minute. According to the company, it is suited for snacks, agricultural products, pet food, sauces, and powders, and addresses common issues in high-speed production such as product damage and dust leakage.
Weide Packaging introduced what it described as the world’s first MVS series cushioned flexible strapping band. The product measures 0.15 mm in thickness and is manufactured from 100% recyclable pure PP material, the company said, adding that it is designed to reduce plastic consumption and comply with European Union circular economy requirements. Compared with traditional PP strapping, the company said the MVS series fits more securely and reduces scuffing and structural damage to cartons.
Cangzhou Eiahe Machinery highlighted its integrated packaging solutions for the food, condiment, and daily chemical industries, including capping and packaging machines, high-speed sachet production equipment, and large-format pre-made pouch packaging machines. The company said the new generation of equipment improves operational efficiency by 20–30% compared with previous models and supports rapid multi-specification changeovers.
Visitor registration
Pre-registration for interpack China 2026 is now open. Groups of five or more visitors can register together to access benefits including VIP badges, a dedicated reception desk, customized business matchmaking, and a complimentary lunch and digital show catalogue per member. Groups of ten or more, located within a three-hour drive of the venue, are eligible for fast-track entry and a complimentary shuttle service.
