• How can packaging contribute more effectively to protecting food, reducing losses and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable industry? The answers were provided during the SAVE FOOD Expert Talks, held on May 12, 2026, at Interpack 2026.
The event brought together international organizations, companies and initiatives covering all stages of the value chain, generating a quality dialogue from which new directions for action emerged. The program focused on two exceptional discussion forums:
Global Packaging in Transition (Global packaging industry in transformation): Regulations, partnerships and the race for sustainable value
The first panel brought together representatives of prestigious institutions such as United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Packaging Organization (WPO), the SAVE FOOD initiative and Messe Düsseldorf. Discussions focused on major legislative developments (such as the PPWR), international regulatory frameworks and how collaboration between industry and institutions can accelerate the transformation towards sustainable packaging systems, while reducing food losses along the entire value chain.
Turning Packaging into a Food Saver (Converting packaging into a food preservation system) : Trends, innovations and practical solutions
The second forum explored concrete applications along the supply chain: extending shelf life through smart packaging, maintaining stable cold chains, optimizing logistics and distribution, and cross-sector cooperation. Companies and organizations such as MULTIVAC, Kuehne+Nagel, SIG Foundation and FSSC, highlighting how packaging, logistics and quality standards can be integrated to reduce food waste and increase product safety.
After the debate sessions, participants had the opportunity for a direct dialogue with international experts.
Awards and project competition
An important moment of the program was the awarding of SAVE FOOD Design Awards, Sustainability Design Awards and the winners of the SAVE FOOD project competition. With over 100 entries, these awards highlighted the most innovative solutions that reduce food waste while generating positive economic and environmental impact. For the first time, the project competition also offered financial support to the winning initiatives for the development and international promotion of their solutions.
During the fair, SAVE FOOD Highlight Route guided visitors to the stands of companies presenting technologies, products and services dedicated to reducing food losses, facilitating the identification and comparison of practical solutions along the value chain.
Through the program held at Interpack 2026, the SAVE FOOD initiative has consolidated its role as an essential global platform for dialogue between industry, policy and research, focusing on concrete and measurable solutions.
About the SAVE FOOD initiative
Launched in 2011 by Messe Düsseldorf and Interpack, the SAVE FOOD initiative works in partnership with FAO, UN Environment, World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and UNIDO. As a global alliance, it supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, aiming to reduce food loss and waste, with a particular focus on innovations in the packaging industry: www.save-food.de.
Article source Press release Interpack 2026, Photo: Copyright Messe Düsseldorf / Tillmann
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