Innovation takes centre stage at Paris Packaging Week 2026

Packaging Solutions

The packaging world will gather in Paris on 5 and 6 February, as more than 900 exhibitors – including Kurz, Heinz, Gainerie Moderne and Arcelor Mittal – take over hall 1 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The vast space will be transformed into a showcase of the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of packaging. 

This year welcomes 155 new exhibitors, among them Carré d'Ébène, Drago, MCC France Ouest and Thepenier Pharma & Cosmetic, bringing a fresh wave of creativity, new ideas and bold projects to the event. 

With the forthcoming European PPWR regulation, the Refill & Reuse Zone is set to be one of the standout features of this edition. Dedicated to sustainable innovation, this new area is organised in partnership with the New European Reuse Alliance (New ERA) – Europe’s leading association promoting refillable and reusable solutions. It will shine a spotlight on the pioneers of reusable packaging and the innovations redefining packaging within a circular, sustainable and desirable model. 

Also returning in 2026 is the Discovery Zone, launched in 2025 as a hub for innovation. This year, it offers an expanded vision of the future of packaging, featuring 20 start ups, new materials and products, and a preview of emerging technologies such as AI and smart packaging that are reshaping the industry. 

Following its success last year, the PCD Full-Service Zone will also be back for a second edition, with a larger space and more exhibitors, offering an enhanced focus on luxury, cosmetics and fragrance packaging. 

For the second consecutive year, Paris Packaging Week will also present its Perspectives 2026 Trend Report, themed ‘Cool & Conscious’. Designed as a key reference for the industry, the report explores one of the most powerful movements in packaging today: designs that balance desirability, aesthetics and sustainability. Cool & Conscious reflects a new generation of packaging –­–– beautiful, thoughtful, and responsible – where creativity and ethics go hand in hand. 

The report brings together insights from designers, brands, agencies and researchers, all sharing their vision of a future where style and sustainability create lasting value. Among this year’s contributors are Louis Marty, CEO of Merci Handy, and Frédéric Dreux, global research ad development packaging director at Unilever, who discuss how brands are redefining their identities to unite creativity, environmental responsibility and user experience. 

‘This project perfectly reflects our vision: showing that it is possible to create colourful, vibrant packaging that is both eye catching and environmentally conscious. At Merci Handy, we love demonstrating that sustainable beauty can be fun and full of magic,’ said Louis Marty, CEO of Merci Handy. 

Visitor registration is now open at parispackagingweek.com