Packaging and plastics industries showcase innovation at London and Taipei trade shows

Major industry exhibitions in London and Taipei have highlighted significant technological shifts in the packaging and plastics sectors, focusing on sustainability and digitalization.

London Packaging Week 2026 emphasized smart packaging, circular economy design, and extended producer responsibility (EPR). Key highlights included the Innovation Awards, where brands like Prada and Heinz were recognized. Notable technological advancements included deltaH Innovations’ Cool>Can™, a self-cooling can technology, and Tesco’s implementation of GS1-compliant QR codes to improve product identification and consumer communication.

TaipeiPlas 2026, organized by Taitra and the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry, drew international buyers from 77 countries. The event focused on circular materials, AI-driven production, and automation. Exhibitors showcased carbon footprint reduction technologies for polypropylene, recycled PET applications, and advanced uses for recycled carbon fiber in aerospace and robotics. The exhibition also highlighted high-value applications such as hydrogen composite tanks and fuel pellets for hybrid rocket engines.