With just 100 days to go, the countdown has officially begun for Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026, the UK’s biggest packaging event, returning to the NEC Birmingham on 11 & 12 February. Bringing together over 7,400 packaging professionals, 450 suppliers, and 80 expert speakers, the 2026 edition promises two unmissable days of discovery, inspiration, and connection. Visitors will explore the full packaging journey under one roof, from concept to fulfilment, across three co-located events: Packaging Innovations (Design & Materials), Empack (Automation & Machinery), and Contract Pack & Fulfilment (Outsourcing & Logistics).
Whether your focus is sustainability, automation, or cutting-edge materials, this year’s show offers curated zones, live machinery demos, and hands-on experiences for every corner of the industry. Visitors can explore suppliers such as Allpack, Taghleef, Acopia Group Ltd, Adpak Machinery Systems Limited, Hazel 4D, Jenton Group, LOADHOG, PicknPack, Randex, Protega Global, and STEADFAST TAPES LTD, representing every stage of the packaging journey. They can also connect with leading brands, including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestlé, P&G, Tesco, Aldi, GSK, Boots, Diageo, and Bakkavor, who return year after year to benchmark innovation, meet new partners, and spark fresh collaboration.
“Packaging Innovations & Empack has always been about connecting the right people with the right ideas,” said Josh Brooks, Divisional Director – Packaging Portfolio at Easyfairs. “This year, we’re creating more opportunities than ever for visitors to see innovation in action - from live technology and machinery demonstrations to the Innovation Gallery, where the boldest and most practical packaging ideas take centre stage. Whether you’re focused on sustainability, automation, or cutting-edge materials, the show offers a 360° view of how our industry is transforming, with every stage of the packaging process represented under one roof.”
Packed with more new features than ever before, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 offers visitors a front-row seat to the latest developments across the industry. Attendees can explore the Innovation Gallery, a curated showcase of bold concepts and practical innovations, culminating in a live reveal of the winning entry. The Startup Zone runs alongside this, giving emerging brands and early-stage innovators a platform to showcase fresh ideas, connect with potential partners, and gain visibility among leading industry professionals. Meanwhile, the Future Trailblazer Awards, in partnership with IOM3, celebrate the rising stars shaping the next era of packaging, and the BCMPA’s Pitch the Co-Packers invites start-ups and early-stage brands to pitch their big ideas live for a chance to win £1,500 and expert consultancy. Together, these features highlight the show’s commitment to innovation, talent development, and supporting the next generation of packaging leaders.
For hands-on learning and practical insight, visitors can book onto one of our Expert Trails or take an Empack Tour to see live demonstrations of machinery and automation transforming packaging and production operations. On the show floor, the Automation & Robotics Wall brings live demonstrations of cutting-edge machinery and smart manufacturing technologies, giving visitors a front-row seat to the innovations driving efficiency and transformation across the packaging supply chain. They can also access tailored one-to-one sessions and CPD-accredited workshops with specialists covering policy, printing, outsourcing, materials, and more. Meanwhile, the Discovery Theatre offers a front-row seat to insights from start-ups, SMEs, and suppliers showcasing breakthrough technologies, giving attendees the opportunity to discover the next generation of packaging solutions and connect with experts driving innovation across the industry.
From pre-arranged meetings to chance encounters, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 offers plenty of opportunities to connect. Networking spaces, including the VIP Lounge, cocktail bar, and brand-new Beer Garden, provide relaxed settings for conversations that can spark collaboration and long-term partnerships.
William Connolly, Senior Principal Scientist at Diageo Global Innovation, said: “As someone who has been in the industry for a considerable time, I see this event as a catalyst for connection. I attend not just for the exhibits but as much for the people. It’s a key gathering that brings together professionals from various roles, industries, and companies. You come because it’s where people come.”
The first wave of speakers has also been announced, giving a glimpse of the bold ideas shaping the 2026 agenda. Confirmed names include Alison Bramfitt, Head of Packaging at Nestlé; Mike Williams, Co-Founder, Fraser Blake; Jude Pullen, Creative Technologist; Amy Hooper, Innovation Manager at Biffa; and Paul Horton, Principal – Packaging & Graphics at Diageo. They’ll join experts from PackUK, DEFRA, and WRAP to explore key themes such as Circular Realities, Tech-Enabled Futures, Policy to Practice, and Material Matters - tackling real-world challenges through innovation, insight, and collaboration.
That sense of collaboration and shared purpose runs through every part of Packaging Innovations & Empack. It’s not just a place to see the latest technologies and materials. It’s where the industry connects, learns, and inspires one another. Exhibitors and visitors alike describe the event as a genuine meeting point for ideas, partnerships, and progress.
Naomi Harvey, UK Sales Director for Zeus, said: “This is one of my favourite shows because our industry is so friendly, you can just go and talk to your competitors and see what they’re doing. We always have lots of engaging conversations with customers, and we’re always pleased with the footfall we see.”
Andy Hodgkinson, Head of Packaging at Lyte Packaging, added: “What we're trying to do is add value. Our business is part of a larger group of companies that offer a fully integrated service from start to finish, including design, sourcing, packing, and fulfilment. This show enables us to give customers the full gamut of options. It is an inroad into the company where we can offer all sorts of services.”
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the UK’s largest packaging event. Register now to secure your place at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026, discover the latest innovations, meet leading brands and suppliers, and connect with the experts shaping the future of packaging.