Live talks, analysis and industry insights: With “interpack TV Live”, interpack 2026 is bringing the exhibition action straight into the studio once again – both on-site and online. The programme provides insights into trends, innovations and key topics within the global processing and packaging industry.
Following its successful launch in 2023, interpack TV Live will continue and be expanded. In cooperation with the packaging journal, a curated programme of interviews, analyses and panel discussions is being developed. It will be broadcast throughout the entire duration of the trade fair from 7 to 13 May – live on-site as well as online and on-demand.
Current focus: Market, regulation and outlook
A key focus is on the current conditions shaping the industry – from international markets and geopolitical developments to regulatory requirements. In particular, the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR), issues of sustainability assessment, and developments in mechanical engineering, raw materials and the labour market will be examined.
Insights will be provided by, among others, Markus Rustler (Theegarten-Pactec), who will examine the impact of tariffs, geopolitical crises and regulation, and Richard Clemens (VDMA), who will offer a perspective on the future of mechanical engineering. Further contributions include Carolina E. Schweig on packaging trends at the intersection of regulation and sustainability, and Dr Natalie Brandenburg (German Packaging Institute) on the current market situation. This is complemented by Dr Martin Engelmann (IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackung) on raw material shortages and price trends, Thomas Reiner (German Packaging Institute) on the market situation, and Thomas Schmitt (HR consultant) on addressing the skills shortage.
Consumers, the circular economy and regulation
The ‘Packaging Background’ and ‘Packaging Regulation’ categories focus on consumer perspectives, the circular economy and regulatory requirements. The focus is on consumers’ assessment of sustainable packaging, the role of materials such as glass, and the digital product passport as a building block of closed material cycles.
Examples of this include contributions from Christiane Nelles (German Glass Industry Association) on the role of glass as recyclable packaging, Daniel Bornemann (Simon-Kucher) on consumer evaluations, and Dr Benedikt Brenken (R-Cycle) on the digital product passport. In the regulatory context, concrete insights are provided by, among others, Der Grüne Punkt on the recycling of plastic packaging, David Strack (SUSY) and Siddharth Bagri (PackIntelX) on PPWR compliance, and Alexander Reitz (PreZero) on design strategies. In addition, Dr Markus W. Pauly (solicitor) will outline the requirements under the PPWR and the Packaging Law Implementation Act.
Technological solutions for practical application
The ‘Packaging Solutions’ category showcases concrete technological approaches across the entire value chain, from digitised production environments to new packaging solutions.The focus is on efficiency, resilience and sustainability in industrial practice.
Contributions from mechanical engineering, automation and packaging development provide insights into software-based production models, integrated packaging solutions and new labelling technologies. Further examples demonstrate how sustainable packaging concepts, circular solutions and modular machine approaches can be implemented in practice. This is complemented by analyses of extended packaging functions and safety standards in mechanical engineering. Practical discussion formats and contributions on automation, service concepts and industry-specific applications round off the programme and demonstrate how technological innovations are being applied in industrial settings.
Trends and Future Outlook
The ‘Packaging Trends’ category focuses on future developments in materials, technologies and business models. Topics include sustainable packaging materials, new design approaches and the role of reusable and co-packing concepts.
Presentations from research, industry and market research demonstrate how alternative materials – such as those based on textile waste or cellulose – are being developed and what role they may play in the future. At the same time, tools for assessing recyclability and new approaches to packaging design will be presented. Further sections address the future of mechanical engineering, the growing importance of reusable systems in e-commerce, and the role of co-packing in global supply chains. Insights from market research and design complement these developments and provide an understanding of changing consumer behaviour and new demands on packaging solutions.
Online and on-site, live and on-demand
The hub at the trade fair is the TV studio in the North Entrance. At the same time, the content will be streamed live to the websites and channels of interpack and packaging journal. German and English-language segments will alternate and remain available even after the trade fair.