Press release submitted on behalf of interpack
interpack and the World Packaging Organization (WPO) are intensifying their long-standing cooperation. The aim of the strategic partnership is to promote innovation, sustainability and the global exchange of knowledge in the packaging industry even more strongly.
This cooperation has a long tradition: interpack, the world’s leading trade fair for the packaging and related process industries (May 7 – 13, 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany), and the WPO have been closely linked for decades. Now both are announcing even more intensive cooperation and joint initiatives to strengthen the global packaging industry. “We have been associated with Messe Düsseldorf for many years, and interpack has long since become a home for us in Germany. Together we want to achieve great things for the industry and support interpack with passion,” said Luciana Pellegrino, President of the WPO.
The WPO and interpack share many common goals, particularly in the promotion of innovation, sustainability, education and global networking. The expanded cooperation will promote important topics such as circular economy, sustainability and resource conservation in the packaging industry even more intensively. “Our drive is to promote the development and progress of the processing and packaging industry and to ensure its success in the world’s markets. With the WPO, we have the ideal partner at our side to continue to fulfil these goals. Utilizing our global network together is a great step,” stated Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack.
Joint projects around interpack 2026
With the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards, the WPO organizes one of the world’s most prestigious packaging competitions. In 2026, the awards ceremony will once again take place as part of interpack, providing participants with a major international stage. The WPO itself will have a stand at the trade fair and take part in various content formats at interpack 2026, such as the TV studio and the Spotlight Forum. As part of a theme partnership, the WPO will also be involved in interpack channels such as Spotlight Magazine at times when the trade fair is not held.
Active in Asia and Africa
The partnership also covers the interpack alliance trade fairs Shanghai World of Packaging (swop) in China and pacprocess MEA/Food Africa in Egypt. The WPO will be represented with a stand in Shanghai from November 18 – 20, 2024 and in Cairo from December 3 – 5, 2024 and is also active in the supporting program. The interpack projects “Women in Packaging” and the SAVE FOOD initiative will also play an important role at both trade fairs.
Together against food waste
The SAVE FOOD DESIGN AWARDS and the SUSTAINABILITY DESIGN AWARDS are awarded annually at swop and pacprocess MEA to exhibitors who present particularly innovative products that minimize food loss and waste and/ or are sustainable. Together with UNIDO and FAO, the World Packaging Organization sits on the jury and supports the winners in further communication, including the opportunity to take part in the WorldStar Global Packaging Awards. The WPO is also a member of the expert jury for the annual SAVE FOOD project competition, which is endowed with Euro 10,000.
Focus on women in the industry
The WPO was already a strong partner for the premiere of ”Women in Packaging” in 2023, when interpack organized a networking event and panel discussion for women in the packaging industry on a global level for the first time. This initiative was groundbreaking and other players in the industry are now also increasingly focusing on this topic. The WPO will also be on board again at interpack 2026 and as part of the interpack alliance trade fairs, contributing with panel discussions and its global women’s network.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at interpack 2026, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit www.interpack.com and www.mdna.com. Follow us on https://www.linkedin.com/company/mdnachicago/
For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at (866) 674-3476; Fax: (212) 674-3477; E-mail: info@ttitravel.net; www.ttitravel.net
For information about the World Packaging Organization: www.worldpackaging.org.
About interpack
Every three years, interpack brings the global processing and packaging industry together in Düsseldorf, Germany, for one week. The focus is on packaging and packaging materials, packaging machinery and related process technology for the food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharma, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. As a leading international trade fair, it attracts experts from all over the world to discuss the latest technologies and solutions and provides impetus for future topics in the industry. The next interpack will take place from May 7 – 13, 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Over 2,800 exhibitors from around the globe are expected to participate.
