As interpack 2026 prepares to open in Düsseldorf from 7–13 May, organizers have outlined the agenda for the central SPOTLIGHT Forum, a seven-day lecture and discussion platform positioned at the North Entrance and focused on the major forces reshaping packaging and processing.

Structured around “7 Days – 7 Topics,” the programme will address several themes with direct relevance for potato processors, frozen food manufacturers and snack producers navigating regulatory, operational and packaging shifts.

Opening day will focus on the Opportunities & Risks of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), with exhibitors including REA Elektronik alongside companies such as Mondi, Wipak and SIT Group examining regulatory implications that could affect packaging design, compliance and material strategies across food sectors.

Resource efficiency on Day 2 is expected to address raw material and energy savings—an increasingly important issue for potato processors facing ongoing production cost pressures—while Day 3’s Smart Packaging agenda will feature exhibitors including TNA, alongside Domino, Braskem, Fraunhofer and Amazon, highlighting digital packaging, connectivity and future-proof packaging solutions.

Day 4’s Smart Systems and AI theme may be particularly relevant for potato manufacturers exploring automation, labor efficiency and intelligent processing systems, with Syntegon among the featured participants.

Circular economy and recyclability will dominate Day 5, while Day 6 will focus on innovative packaging materials and technologies from suppliers including Henkel and ProAmpac.

For potato industry stakeholders attending interpack, the SPOTLIGHT Forum offers a concentrated overview of the regulatory, packaging and automation trends likely to influence both fresh and processed potato markets in the coming years.

The daily programme and site plan are available through interpack’s official visitor resources.