The second edition of UKPackaging Expo will place the food and beverage packaging sector firmly in the spotlight when the second edition of the show runs at the Convention Centre at KingsDock, Liverpool, on 10th – 11th November 2026.
With regulatory reform, sustainability targets, retail competition and changing consumer expectations transforming packaging strategies across the UK, Republic of Ireland and wider Europe, the event will bring together packaging manufacturers, food producers, designers, converters, retailers and supply chain specialists to explore the technologies and trends driving the next generation of food and drink packaging.
The UK and European food packaging market is in a period of rapid transition. According to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), UK food and drink exports reached a record £25.6 billion in 2025, underlining the continued scale and resilience of the sector despite economic pressures. Ireland remains one of the UK’s largest export destinations, alongside France and the United States, reinforcing the importance of packaging innovation that supports cross-border retail performance, shelf life and supply chain efficiency.
At the same time, sustainability legislation is reshaping packaging priorities across the region. The introduction of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and the emergence of the UK Packaging PRO organisation are accelerating industry investment in recyclable, reusable and lower-impact materials.
Industry bodies are increasingly positioning packaging as a central component of wider net-zero strategies. The FDF’s Ambition 2030 programme highlights the sector’s commitment to reducing emissions across the agrifood supply chain, with packaging innovation viewed as critical to achieving these targets.
Sustainable solutions and strategic branding
Across Europe, manufacturers are responding with significant advances in sustainable food packaging technologies. Market analysts such as Mordor Intelligence report strong growth in mono-material packaging, fibre-based alternatives, compostable materials and lightweight flexible packaging solutions, driven by both regulation and consumer demand.
Mordor’s UK Packaging Market Size & Share Analysis Forecast for 2026-31 found that, plastic still held 48%.02% of UK packaging market share by packaging type in 2025, but paper is projected to expand at a 4.62% CAGR through 2031. By packaging format, flexible solutions accounted for 54.40% of the United Kingdom packaging market size in 2025; rigid alternatives are forecast to grow at 3.58% CAGR to 2031. By end-use sector, food applications led with 28.60% revenue share in 2025, whereas e-commerce packaging is advancing at a 5.28% CAGR through 2031.
Flexible packaging formats are becoming particularly influential within food and beverage markets because of their ability to reduce material usage while improving transport efficiency and visual impact. The popularity of flexible packaging is being supported by rising demand for stand-up pouches, digitally printed short-run packaging and premium artisan presentation formats.
For artisan and premium food producers, packaging is increasingly seen as a strategic branding tool rather than simply a protective layer. Consumer-facing trends are driving demand for packaging that delivers sustainability credentials while also creating standout shelf appeal and social media visibility. Analysts point to the growth of minimalist aesthetics, bold typography, tactile finishes and premium labelling as brands compete for attention in increasingly crowded retail environments.
Research into retail shelf performance also reinforces the commercial value of strong packaging design. Studies examining shelf placement and product visibility show that packaging presentation directly influences purchasing behaviour and product demand, particularly in high-competition FMCG categories.
Meanwhile, environmentally conscious purchasing habits continue to strengthen across Europe. Research cited in industry reporting shows many consumers are actively rejecting products perceived to use excessive or unsustainable packaging, placing additional pressure on brands to deliver recyclable and lower-impact solutions without compromising aesthetics or convenience.
Smart packaging technologies and reducing food waste
The emergence of smart packaging technologies is also expected to feature prominently at UKPackaging Expo 2026. Developments including QR-enabled packaging, freshness indicators, intelligent labelling and digitally connected packaging systems are helping food brands improve traceability, transparency and consumer engagement.
Packaging’s wider role in reducing food waste is becoming another major area of innovation across Europe. The European Commission has identified food packaging as a key enabler of sustainable food systems, particularly in extending shelf life and improving product preservation throughout increasingly complex supply chains.
In parallel, investment into next-generation materials continues to accelerate. UK-based innovators are developing plant-based and biodegradable alternatives capable of replacing billions of single-use plastic packaging products over the coming years, reflecting the growing commercial momentum behind sustainable material science.
UKPackaging Expos’ Head of Marketing, Naomi Stewart, says: “As food and beverage brands balance sustainability, operational efficiency and increasingly sophisticated consumer expectations, UKPackaging Expo 2026 aims to provide a platform for industry leaders to examine how packaging can deliver both environmental performance and commercial differentiation.
“The exhibition will showcase innovations spanning sustainable materials, food-safe packaging technologies, premium branding, digital print solutions, smart packaging systems, labelling technologies and advanced manufacturing processes, while also creating opportunities for networking and collaboration across the UK and European packaging supply chain. We’re hugely looking forward to welcoming all our exhibitors and visitors to the show in November as we work together to help shape and support the rapid pace of technological change taking place in our industry”.
Taking place on 10th – 11th November 2026 at the Convention Centre at KingsDock, Liverpool, the second edition of the show is expected to attract packaging professionals from across the UK, Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe as the sector continues to navigate one of the most transformative periods in its history.
To find out more visit www.ukpackagingexpo.co.uk
Register to attend: https://register.ukpackagingexpo.co.uk/