At Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, one message came through loud and clear: the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is no longer just legislation, it’s the catalyst for a fundamental shift toward a scalable, circular economy. With thousands of exhibitors and global supply chain leaders in attendance, the event highlighted how regulation, innovation and collaboration are converging to redefine packaging.
From recyclability targets to reuse systems, here are the key takeaways every business needs to understand.
The PPWR is designed to harmonise packaging rules across the EU, replacing fragmented national approaches with one unified framework.
At Interpack, it was evident that this regulatory clarity is unlocking investment and innovation at scale. Instead of navigating inconsistent rules, businesses can now focus on scalable solutions that deliver both sustainability and cost efficiency.
This shift is already influencing the entire value chain, with “PPWR-ready” becoming a competitive positioning rather than a compliance checkbox.
The transition to a circular economy cannot be achieved in isolation. Interpack reinforced that success depends on collaboration across the value chain.
Packaging is no longer just a product, it’s a system.
Industry-wide collaboration enables materials to be reintroduced into the economy rather than wasted, accelerating circularity and resilience.
A major theme from Interpack was the shift toward data-driven compliance.
The PPWR introduces increased requirements for traceability, reporting, and proof of conformity.
This aligns with broader industry trends where traceability infrastructure is becoming essential for compliance and operational efficiency.
Interpack showcased rapid innovation in food-contact packaging and sustainable materials.
Key focus areas included:
The industry is working toward food-to-food recycling, where packaging can be reused for the same purpose, one of the biggest challenges for circularity.
Across the show, sustainable materials such as recyclable, compostable and bio-based alternatives demonstrated the industry’s rapid shift toward circular-compatible design.
Reuse and refill models are maturing but still face operational complexity.
Interpack highlighted several emerging solutions:
These models are critical to eliminating waste at source and are increasingly recognised as essential to achieving circular economy goals.
However, challenges remain:
Even with innovation and regulation, consumer behaviour continues to shape outcomes.
Two key realities stood out:
The PPWR aims to simplify labelling and waste sorting, which could improve participation and accelerate behavioural change.
Strategic Account Manager