lars behrendt
For packaging manufacturers and brands under growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, increase recycled content and design materials for a circular economy, aluminium has an increasingly important role to play. This October, the global industry will gather in Düsseldorf to explore how innovation across the aluminium value chain can help turn those sustainability ambitions into practical solutions.
Taking place from 6 - 8 October 2026 at Messe Düsseldorf, ALUMINIUM 2026 will bring together more than 800 exhibitors and partners and over 21,000 trade visitors from across the international aluminium industry. The event spans the complete value chain, from raw materials and primary production to recycling, semi-finished products, processing technologies, machinery, software and services.
For the sustainable packaging sector, the timing is significant. Aluminium's ability to be recycled repeatedly while retaining its material properties makes it particularly relevant for applications including beverage cans, foil, closures, trays and flexible packaging. However, achieving genuine circularity requires more than choosing a recyclable material. Collection, sorting, recycling technology, alloy management, traceability, low-carbon manufacturing and collaboration throughout the value chain all have a part to play.
ALUMINIUM 2026 is putting these challenges firmly at the centre of the conversation.
Sustainability is the central theme of the 2026 edition, with a particular emphasis on recycling, circularity and decarbonisation. A major new feature will be the Sustainability & Recycling Conference, developed in collaboration with CRU following the success of the show's previous Speakers Corner. The dedicated conference will examine circular economy strategies, recycling technologies, low-carbon production and more responsible use of resources.
Alongside the conference, Hall 6 & 5 will feature a dedicated Sustainability & Recycling Area, including a Showcase, Pavilion and Plaza designed to bring technologies, solutions and industry expertise together while creating opportunities for focused networking.
Innovation will also receive greater recognition at ALUMINIUM 2026 through the launch of the ALUMINIUM Innovation Awards. The new awards will recognise developments across three areas: low-carbon manufacturing, product innovation, and smart and connected manufacturing. Public voting takes place in September, with the winners announced during the Düsseldorf event on 7 October.
For packaging professionals, this combination of technology and strategic discussion creates an opportunity to look beyond individual products and examine how the wider aluminium ecosystem is evolving.
With sustainability requirements becoming more demanding and packaging businesses seeking credible routes towards circularity and lower-carbon materials, ALUMINIUM 2026 offers a chance to meet suppliers, recyclers and technology specialists while seeing emerging solutions first-hand.
The event runs from 9:00 to 18:00 from 6–8 October 2026 at Messe Düsseldorf. Conference and award sessions are included within the exhibition ticket, making the three days a concentrated opportunity for the sustainable packaging community to explore where aluminium innovation is heading next.
Three-day advance tickets cost €52, compared with €105 on site, and include access to all conference and award sessions.
For information and tickets, visit www.aluminium-exhibition.com.