Packaging Innovations & Empack has today announced the ten packaging innovations selected for the Innovation Gallery 2026, a curated showcase celebrating the most original, impactful and commercially relevant developments from across the global packaging industry.
Selected by an expert judging panel from a highly competitive field of entries, the final ten innovations reflect the pace and breadth of change reshaping packaging today. Spanning materials innovation, circular systems, food safety, logistics, reuse and operational efficiency, the Innovation Gallery highlights how packaging is responding to environmental pressures while continuing to deliver performance, protection and consumer confidence.
Taking place on February 11 & 12 at the NEC Birmingham, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 will see the Innovation Gallery take pride of place on the show floor. Visitors will be encouraged to explore the shortlisted innovations up close and vote for the solution they believe best represents the future of packaging.
The stars of the Packaging Innovations & Empack Innovation Gallery 2026 are:
Huhtamaki & Xampla Bring Plastic-Free Morro™ Coating to New Folded Cartonboard Range (Stand G74)
A high-performance folded cartonboard solution coated with Morro™, a plant-based, plastic-free barrier material. Validated as plastic-free and designed for fibre recycling and composting where infrastructure allows, it enables brands to significantly reduce plastic use without compromising grease resistance or pack integrity.
Embalagem do Futuro® – Intelligent Sustainable Fish Transport System with PetriTag® (Stand S154)
A reusable cold-chain transport system combining insulated EPP boxes made with recycled fishing-industry waste and PetriTag®, a paper-based visual bacterial detection label. Supported by IoT monitoring, the system improves food safety, reduces waste and delivers a fully circular approach to seafood logistics.
One.five – Glassleaf (Stand Q152)
The world’s first translucent, heat-sealable barrier paper offering exceptional visibility alongside strong oxygen, water vapour and grease barriers. With over 90% paper content, CEPI-confirmed recyclability and excellent runnability on standard packaging lines, Glassleaf provides a viable alternative to plastic films.
eGreen International – Atera - Reusable Tableware & Food Containers (Made from 60% Plant-based materials) (Stand G80)
A reusable packaging and tableware range made using Oryzite®, a bio-based material derived from rice husk agricultural waste. Delivering high heat resistance, food-contact compliance and a 72% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional plastics, Atera supports circular, low-impact foodservice systems.
Futamura UK – Compostable Liquid Sachet (Stand G76)
A fully compostable sachet structure for liquid products such as sauces and personal care, developed using NatureFlex™ cellulose film technology. Certified for both industrial and home composting, the solution runs at full commercial speeds on standard machinery while delivering required barrier performance and shelf life.
Prevented Ocean Plastic™ – Food-Safe POP rPP Pellet (Stand M160)
A world-first food-safe recycled polypropylene certified to European standards, unlocking circularity for one of the least recycled plastics globally. Collected through controlled coastal networks, the material enables food-grade packaging applications while preventing hundreds of millions of plastic items from entering the ocean.
PilloPak – Microflute Tray – LockWell – Pastry Packaging (Stand H92)
A lightweight, glue-free corrugated paper tray designed to securely hold pastries using a patented locking mechanism. Made from FSC-certified paper with integrated grease barriers, the tray improves baking airflow, reduces material use and remains fully recyclable and oven-safe.
Croxsons | B Corp™ – Rightweight® Mountain Bottle (Stand B142)
A reduced-weight glass bottle range developed to support sustainability and EPR objectives without compromising strength or aesthetics. Suitable for still and carbonated drinks, the Rightweight® Mountain bottles deliver material efficiency alongside classic glass design.
Westpak Group Limited – GrabLok™ Linerless Tamper-Evident Bag Closure (Stand L132)
A linerless, tamper-evident closure designed to secure takeaway and delivery bags quickly and consistently. By reducing waste, speeding up packing and protecting order integrity, GrabLok™ helps QSR brands cut complaints and refunds while adding a new branding touchpoint.
Trakya Pack – UniGlass Bottle Protection (Stand T156)
A moulded fibre tray system engineered to provide universal protection for glass bottles across wine, spirits and premium beverages. Featuring an adaptive 3D structure with integrated buffer zones, UniGlass reduces breakage while offering a fully fibre-based alternative to conventional protective packaging.
Amaia Cowan, European Sales & Marketing Manager at Futamura UK, said: “We are delighted that our industry-first compostable liquid sachets have been shortlisted for this year's Innovation Gallery at Packaging Innovations & Empack. Our collaboration with Repaq has enabled us to develop a fully compostable solution for an application that requires high performance and shelf life, whilst providing a viable end-of-life option compared to the standard polymer sachets currently available on the market.”
Aleksandrina Topalova, Business Development Manager at Trakya Pack, said: “We’re thrilled that UniGlass has been selected as a top 10 finalist at Packaging Innovations & Empack. It was created to solve real challenges — protecting glass bottles efficiently while making logistics simpler — and it’s fantastic to see that practical, thoughtful design recognised by the industry.”
Pedro Costa, Project Manager - Embalagem do Futuro®, added: “For the Embalagem do Futuro® (Packaging of the Future) project, it is an honour to have one of its products in the Innovation Gallery at Packaging Innovations & Empack and a recognition for the companies ZØR Thermal and AlmaScience, from this consortium of 79 Portuguese partners. Packaging of the Future® is a Portuguese project funded by PRR - Next Generation EU, which brings together companies, R&D centres, and universities to transform the Portuguese packaging sector through sustainable, digital, and inclusive innovation. This initiative covers the entire value chain - from raw materials to design, engineering, manufacturing, digital systems, and recycling. Its goal is to create eco-efficient, market-ready packaging solutions on a global scale. The project is led by VANGEST Engineering Solutions S.A., managed by NERLEI CCI - Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and supported by INOVA+.”
Beyond the Innovation Gallery, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 will showcase thousands of innovations across the supply chain, from materials and machinery to smart packaging, circular economy solutions, and logistics, making it the UK’s most comprehensive event for packaging innovation.
“This year’s Innovation Gallery presents the most exciting line-up of innovations since its launch,” said Paul Jenkins, Founder of global packaging consultancy ThePackHub. “Each of the ten products showcases exceptional design thinking, addressing real-world challenges while supporting the evolving needs of brands, manufacturers and consumers. Selecting just ten was no easy task – there were so many outstanding initiatives that didn’t make the final cut. From circular materials and reusable systems to smarter operational solutions, these innovations don’t just look good – they perform better and deliver measurable benefits across the supply chain.”
Register now to secure your place at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 and discover the solutions and conversations defining the next era of packaging.