interpack 2026, at the Heart of the Baking Industry
Every three years, interpack gathers the world’s processing & packaging sector in Düsseldorf. Its focus: packaging solutions and packaging materials; packaging machines and the related process technology for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. As an internationally leading trade fair, it draws experts from across the world to exchange ideas about the latest technologies and solutions and provides impetuses for the sector’s future topics.
interpack is set to open its doors in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026. It brings together the global processing and packaging industry to discuss AI, automation, innovative materials and new skills. Around 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected.
“interpack 2026 is more important than ever,” said interpack Director Thomas Dohse. “Especially in a challenging market environment, the industry needs a place for dialogue and orientation. Our task now is to view and compare concrete solutions and make well-founded investment decisions.”
interpack 2026 will focus on specific themes with its Hot Topics Smart Manufacturing, Innovative Materials and Future Skills. Smart Manufacturing is synonymous with data-based, resource-efficient production – from AI to robotics. Innovative Materials focuses on new packaging materials, functionalities and design-for-recycling concepts. Future Skills examines the changing world of work and the skills required for increasingly digitalised and automated production.
Among the approximately 2,800 companies from 67 countries, many market leaders will be showing an impressive presence. Aasted, Sollich, Theegarten-Pactec and SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, for example, will be the representatives of the confectionery and bakery industry at interpack in Halls 1, 3 and 4.
In the extensive exhibition area for food, beverages, consumer and industrial goods in six halls (11 to 14 as well as 5 and 6), companies such as the COESIA Group, Duravant, Gerhard Schubert, Ishida, KHS, Krones, MULTIVAC, Syntegon Technology and ULMA Packaging will be setting standards in automation, efficiency and sustainability.
Halls 7 to 10 will also be playing a key role for the industry. Over 1,000 exhibitors will be presenting materials and end products for packaging: making interpack the world’s most important trade fair for packaging materials. Here you will find companies such as BERICAP, Jokey, Metsä, Sappi Europe and SCHÜTZ.
Labelling and marking technology in Halls 8a and 8b will be represented by Bluhm Systeme, Domino Printing Sciences and Totani, for example.
Global presence and country pavilions
interpack also underscores its international significance with numerous national pavilions. Many exhibitors make a joint appearance under one national flag, pooling their expertise in clearly demarcated areas. Among others, joint stands from India, USA, China, Taiwan, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia and several European countries will be represented.
Content for inspiration
The trade fair will be accompanied by numerous specials. At the interpack Spotlight Forum by the North Entrance, experts will discuss current developments and strategic issues in the industry. The Start-up Zone provides a platform for young companies. One special item on the programme is the presentation of the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards on the exhibition grounds.
With its accompanying trade fair components, interpack also focuses on the expertise of the supplier industry. Here, companies present solutions from the fields of drive technology, control systems, sensor technology, robotics, machine parts and industrial software, thereby visualising the technological basis of modern processing and packaging solutions.
With the SAVE FOOD Expert Talks, the SAVE FOOD Highlight Route, the SAVE FOOD Awards and the SAVE FOOD Project Competition, the focus will also be on preventing food waste and losses. Women in Packaging on 11 May will focus on the role of women in the industry. And interpack TV will report live from the exhibition grounds on innovations, trends and voices from the international community.
Highlights for the baking industry
interpack 2026 will bring together the industry’s technological offerings across three halls covering around 40,000 square metres. The confectionery and bakery zone spans Halls 1, 3 and 4, directly at the South Entrance of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Manufacturers will find solutions there covering the entire value chain – from raw material processing through shaping and coating to primary and secondary packaging. Exhibitors here include Aasted, Sollich, Theegarten-Pactec, SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, Bühler and Coperion. This means the technological core of the industry is represented on site. This is complemented by the world’s largest selection of packaging materials and supplies in Halls 7–10. In total, over 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected at interpack from 7 to 13 May.
Stable industry environment with clear growth momentum
The global market for baked goods stood at 177 million tonnes in 2024. Growth of 9.6 per cent is expected by 2029. Markets in the Middle East and Africa are developing particularly dynamically. The global confectionery market is also set to grow by 4.5 per cent by 2029. Latin America, the Middle East and Africa are showing double-digit growth rates, whilst North America is experiencing a slight decline (source: Euromonitor International/VDMA). The market environment is therefore stable. At the same time, sales regions, cost structures and regulatory frameworks are shifting.