Graphic International, Esko, Mondi and Essentra Tapes are among the first industry names to be announced as exhibitors at the Packaging Innovations expo, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC on 15 and 16 February 2023.

The event is part of a triple bill, alongside Empack, which seeks to showcase innovations in smart packaging, packaging machinery, industrial robots and automation, and Contract Pack & Fulfilment. Organiser Easyfairs says it expects more than 300 suppliers to exhibit at the combined shows, with a forecast audience of 6,000 visitors.

Exhibitors at Packaging Innovations will be located within one of four zones: The Packaging Zone; Contract Pack & Fulfilment; The Label & Print Zone; and a new Foodservice Packaging Zone, which has been developed in collaboration with the Foodservice Packaging Association.

Among the exhibitors announced for Empack are Allpack, Adpak Machinery, Intertape Polymers Group, KTEC Group, Jenton International and Marden Edwards. Leading brands such as Morrisons, Dyson, Red Bull and Costco are also expected to attend.

Renan Joel, managing director for packaging at Easyfairs, said the company was ‘determined to make this our biggest and most exciting Packaging Innovations & Empack ever, alongside a massive Contract Pack & Fulfilment event’.

‘This is an event like no other, with focused events on packaging design, development, production, packing and shipping,’ Mr Joel added. ‘Packaging Innovations is a unique platform for the best our industry has to offer.’