Empack 2026 preview: Industry to focus on automation, reduced plastic & supply chain disruptions

As Empack 2026 approaches in Gorinchem, the Netherlands (April 14–16), packaging experts are getting ready to showcase the industry’s latest innovations in banding, automation, and reduced plastic solutions. 

Visitors are invited to explore the booths of 247 exhibitors. As the largest packaging trade fair in the Benelux region, the trade show is also expected to address regulatory compliance and evolving supply chain challenges. 

Packaging Insights sits down with ATS-Tanner, the European Co-Packers Association (ECPA), and Fuji Packaging, to discuss their latest innovations and expectations for the trade show. 

“Empack Gorinchem offers an excellent opportunity to connect with the wider packaging ecosystem in the Benelux region,” says Ton Knipscheer, executive director at the European Co-Packers Association. 

Benelux’s packaging trends

At the trade show, ATS-Tanner will be presenting its latest banding solutions, including the modular US-2500 machine generation, a company spokesperson tells us. 

Another innovation ATS-Tanner will showcase is its TruePaper, a fully recyclable banding material, said to be a “real alternative to plastic.” The company also aims to show applications where bundling and labeling are combined into one step. 

At Empack 2026, ATS-Tanner will present its latest banding solutions, noting that regulatory pressure will keep driving industry change (Image credit: ATS-Tanner).“A key trend is process integration — combining packaging and labeling in one step — and the growing demand for automation in packaging lines.”

For Knipscheer, the trade show offers a place for the European Co-Packers Association to highlight the increasingly strategic role of co-packers and co-manufacturers in modern supply chains. 

“As product portfolios grow, life cycles shorten, and regulatory pressure increases, brand owners rely more on flexible partners to bring products to market quickly. Events like Empack provide the perfect setting to exchange ideas and explore practical collaboration,” he says.

Peter Matel, general manager at Fuji Packaging Benelux, tells Packaging Insights that at this year’s Empack, the company’s goal is to show visitors what “accurate packaging is all about.”

“[At Empack] we are showing our current product range. Fuji Packaging Machinery has state-of-art technologies that result in more flexibility for the type of foil that can be used at maximum performance,” he explains. 

Reducing plastic content

Sustainability continues to dominate packaging and automation solutions. Matel says that he is excited to explore the trend of “less plastic but optimum product protection” at Empack 2026. 

The ATS-Tanner spokesperson and Knipscheer also note the industry’s move to reduced plastic solutions, as well as recyclable products. 

Knipscheer highlights how manufacturers are developing to become more agile in increasingly volatile supply chains (Image credit: ECPA).“We see strong momentum around sustainable packaging, especially solutions that reduce plastic and support recyclability,” says the ATS-Tanner spokesperson. 

Knipscheer adds: “The industry is making strong progress with recyclable monomaterial structures, material reduction, and smarter packaging formats.” 

Meanwhile, Knipscheer also highlights how manufacturers are developing to become more agile in increasingly volatile supply chains.

He adds: “Companies are redesigning their supply chains to become more resilient and responsive. I am particularly interested in solutions that combine sustainability with operational efficiency, as well as technologies that help co-packers and brand owners handle increasing product complexity and faster time-to-market.”

Regulatory pressure

Of paramount concern for packaging companies at Empack 2026 are new regulations, such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), that mandate recycled content and recyclability targets, as well as require assessments of the environmental impact across the packaging lifecycle.

“Regulatory pressure, such as PPWR, will continue to drive change,” says the ATS-Tanner spokesperson. “Companies are rethinking packaging to use less material and simplify recycling. At the same time, efficiency, and flexibility in production are becoming critical.”

The ATS-Tanner spokesperson expects these topics to influence discussions and innovations at Empack 2026. 

Knipscheer explains that regulations, combined with sustainability targets and geopolitical uncertainties, are driving the packaging sector to evolve. He notes that many companies are shifting toward regionalized production and greater operational flexibility.

Industry goals 

ATS-Tanner’s main goal for Empack 2026 is to showcase how its banding system can reduce material use. 

Fuji Packaging’s Matel says that he is excited to explore the plastic reduction trend at Empack 2026.The ATS-Tanner spokesperson adds: “We want to meet customers and partners, understand their current challenges, and demonstrate how our solutions improve efficiency, sustainability, and cost structures.” 

For the European Co-Packers Association, the aim at Empack will be to showcase how co-packers enable packaging innovation across different industries.

“Many companies are investing in advanced automation, flexible packaging formats, and more sustainable material solutions. These developments allow brand owners to launch new products faster while maintaining high quality and compliance standards,” says Knipscheer.

“Empack is a great platform to demonstrate how collaboration between packaging suppliers and co-packers can accelerate innovation.”