Packaging Innovations & Empack returns to the NEC Birmingham from February 11-12. The event covers the entire packaging journey, from concept and design to delivery. Josh Brooks, divisional director, packaging – Easyfairs, tells Packaging Scotland what visitors can expect.
Q) Why should people visit the show this year?
A) It’s a pivotal moment for the packaging industry. We’re into the second half of the decade, so all eyes are turning onto those 2030 ESG targets. At the same time, legislation like PPWR in the EU and pEPR in the UK is now in force and is continuing to evolve, phasing in new measures and targets that are meant to drive investment in circular innovations and recycling infrastructure. Then we have challenges stemming from rising costs, supply chain turbulence, and shifting consumer preferences.
And, of course, we have the generation-defining topic of AI. We know it will impact every element of packaging, and businesses want to know how they can harness the power of AI and ensure its impact is a positive one. Altogether, this presents many challenges – but also many opportunities. This year’s Packaging Innovations & Empack is more future-focused than ever, and we’ve added a host of new zones and features to maximise the value and opportunities available for every visitor. It’s still the leading packaging show that covers every step of the packaging journey, from design to fulfilment, and this year we are expecting over 7,500 visitors to join 450+ exhibitors and more than 80 insightful speakers at the NEC.
Q) Any new features this year?
A) New for 2026 is the Start-up Zone, a dedicated area spotlighting the disruptive businesses of tomorrow. The rise of AI throughout the 2020s has empowered emerging businesses to scale up and turn their exciting visions into reality. And, as the industry increasingly looks to these disruptors for fresh perspectives and creative energy, visitors could find their next creative breakthrough waiting for them in the Start-up Zone.
Breakthrough innovation is also the focus of another new addition – the Discovery Theatre. This conference area puts start-ups, SMEs, and innovative suppliers centre stage, giving them a platform to share their unique insights and perspectives. For any business interested in what the future will bring, there is no better place to hear directly from the people who will go on to define it.
And, for those start-ups with big ideas and the ambition to match, the ‘Pitch the Co-packers’ event in collaboration with the BCMPA presents an opportunity for visionary businesses to pitch their business to an expert panel of judges in a dynamic Dragon’s Den-style contest. The prizes? Exclusive networking opportunities, funding for outsourcing, and – perhaps most importantly – a platform in front of a packed crowd of industry leaders.
Another major new addition to 2026’s programme is a series of ten Continuous Professional Development (CPD)-accredited seminars held at the Supply Chain Stage. This gives attendees the chance to develop their skills, enhance their professional development, and stay ahead of the latest packaging trends.
And what about the technology that will deliver on these trends? The show has this covered too, through the new Automation and Robotics Zone and guided Empack tours. These new features connect professionals with machinery and process experts, providing an efficient introduction to the groundbreaking technologies transforming the industry.
Q) What can you tell us about the conference and speakers?
A) We have over 80 speakers from across the print, packaging, and technology industries, leading brands, and more, spread across four stages and two packed days.
Our agenda has been carefully curated to spark ideas and ignite curiosity across industries, taking attendees on a journey through innovation, creativity, and collaboration. It’s our most diverse lineup yet, offering insights from global brands such as Rolls-Royce, Nestlé, Unilever, Diageo, Suntory, and Greggs, alongside influential organisations including PackUK, INCPEN, WRAP, RECOUP, BCMPA, The Packaging Federation, McKinsey & Co, Smithers, and the MTC. We’ll also have discussion panels, networking events, staples like the Future Trailblazers ceremony and the Packaging Start-up Awards, plus the new Discovery Theatre area that puts emerging talent and fresh perspectives centre stage – literally.
Q) What do you expect some of the main themes to be?
A) This year’s show is firmly focused on what’s next for packaging. With new regulations and technologies emerging, so much about the future is uncertain. At Packaging Innovations & Empack, we want to demystify the future while also shining a spotlight on the young talent who will shape it.
It is the most future-focused show we’ve ever done, from the return of the Future Trailblazer celebration to the new Start-up Zone and a conference programme dedicated to the latest emerging technologies.
Another theme centres on the people behind packaging. We’re celebrating the talent that drives our industry with the #MyPackagingJourney initiative, which invites professionals to share the story of their career. Whether it’s a small moment that changed the course of a career, a challenge that was overcome, or a passion project that inspires and motivates, every journey takes a unique path – and every story matters. Participants are encouraged to share their journey in any form: a few lines of text, a short video, or a social post that captures their experience.
Q) With robotics and automation such a hot topic, will there be anything to provide visitors with an insight into these technologies?
A) This year sees the introduction of a dedicated Robotics & Automation Zone, gathering the world’s leading machinery solutions under one roof. The expert-led Empack Tour provides a further chance for visitors to gain insights into these technologies through unmissable insights, supplier networking opportunities, and live demos that can transform the way attendees think about their workflows.
If that wasn’t enough, the new Expert Trail enables visitors to sit down with automation specialists for one-to-one conversations. It’s a great opportunity to ask burning questions and pick the brains of some of the world’s foremost technology experts, ensuring visitors leave the show with personalised, actionable advice.
Q) What can we expect from the Contract Pack & Fulfilment element of the show?
A) We are excited to welcome some new faces to the show floor, making the Contract Pack & Fulfilment Zone the biggest it’s ever been. IPS, the UK’s largest co-packing service, is exhibiting at the show for the first time, for example. And we’ve partnered with the BCMPA (British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association) to ensure that we’re sharing knowledge not just in time for the show, but 365 days a year.
The ‘Pitch the Co-packers’ event is particularly exciting. New for 2026, it invites ambitious start-ups to pitch their growth ideas directly to a panel of co-packers in a dynamic Dragons’ Den-style process. The winner will have the opportunity to partner with a BCMPA member to scale up their production and support their growth goals. We expect it to be fast-paced and intense, rewarding innovative professionals who can thrive under pressure.
Q) Will the Future Trailblazer initiative be returning this year?
A) Yes, the Future Trailblazer is back. This year’s is set to be the biggest and best edition yet – with a record number of entries received, with a revamped list of criteria and new categories covering brand storytelling and circularity, inviting entries from a broader audience of young talent.
We will announce the finalists in mid-January before announcing the winners at the show on 11 February, providing a platform to the brightest young professionals in the industry today.
