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Demand soars for Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 visitor passes Packaging professionals rush to register for 2026 show, driven by a focus on disruptive thinking and breakthrough technology.
Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026, taking place on 11 & 12 February at Birmingham’s NEC, is seeing strong demand for visitor passes, with registrations surging ahead of the festive season. The spike reflects the industry’s urgent need for clarity, innovation, and future-ready solutions as brands prepare for major regulatory and market shifts set to reshape the landscape in the latter half of the 2020s. This growing demand comes as the show shapes up to be its most ambitious and future-focused edition
yet, with organisers Easyfairs unveiling a host of new features designed to spotlight disruptive thinking, breakthrough technologies, and professional development across the full packaging supply chain. “Every year, thousands of professionals gather at Birmingham’s NEC to ask a simple but pressing question: what’s next for the packaging industry?” said Josh Brooks, Divisional Director – Packaging Portfolio, at Easyfairs. “In 2026, the answer will be more comprehensive, actionable, and forward-looking than ever.” New for 2026, the Start-up Zone will shine a spotlight on the next generation of disruptive businesses. With AI accelerating the pace of innovation, emerging companies like Stockholm-based Liplid, which develops unique and sustainable cup lids for beverages on the go;
Visitors come not just to see what’s on the market today, but to discover the sparks of innovation that will shape the industry tomorrow. - Josh Brooks
MarinaTex, a home-compostable alternative to plastic film; and waste intelligence automation experts Greyparrot, are reshaping the global packaging landscape, giving visitors the opportunity to discover their next creative breakthrough within a curated showcase of future talent. Innovation continues to take centre stage in the brand-new Discovery Theatre, a platform dedicated to visionary thinking from start-ups, SMEs, and pioneering suppliers. For attendees seeking a window into the future of packaging, this is where they will hear directly from the organisations defining it. Founders and innovators looking to raise their profile can take part in Pitch the Co-packers, a high-energy, Dragon’s Den-style contest offering the chance to present ideas to an expert judging panel, with prizes including funding support, exclusive networking opportunities, and invaluable exposure.
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