PACK EXPO International 2026 will feature sustainable packaging technologies, educational programs, and industry solutions as manufacturers continue to prioritize environmental performance in equipment, materials, and operations.

The event, scheduled for Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will bring together 2,600 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees from more than 40 vertical markets. The show will provide manufacturers with access to packaging machinery, processing equipment, automation systems, materials, and sustainability-focused technologies.

According to PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, more than 82% of end users are actively engaged in sustainability adoption, highlighting continued demand for solutions that deliver measurable environmental and business outcomes.

“Manufacturers have moved beyond asking whether sustainability matters; they are now determining which investments can deliver measurable environmental and operational results,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI.

PACK EXPO International 2026 will include several sustainability-focused destinations and educational programs. Innovation Stages will feature technical sessions covering topics such as reducing plastic use, extended producer responsibility (EPR), packaging materials, and sustainability strategies.

Sustainability Central, presented by Packaging World and sponsored by EFP, LLC, will provide expert presentations, case studies, and industry insights focused on recyclability, circular economy strategies, material selection, and operational improvements.

The Reusable Packaging Learning Center and Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association, will highlight reusable packaging systems, supply chain applications, and technologies designed to reduce waste and improve logistics performance.

Attendees will also have access to the Sustainability Solutions Finder, an online resource that helps users identify PACK EXPO Green Exhibitors offering sustainable materials, components, machinery, and services.

The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Smurfit Westrock, will feature packaging designs focused on sustainability, recyclability, and material efficiency.

Dow will serve as the official sustainability partner and sponsor of show-floor recycling, with dual-stream recycling and trash bins available throughout the exhibit halls.

“Achieving sustainability goals requires more than a single material or technology; it takes a systems-level approach,” Pittas says. “PACK EXPO International gives manufacturers the opportunity to see how packaging design, equipment, reusable systems, and operational improvements can work together to reduce environmental impact while strengthening performance and long-term competitiveness.”