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PACK EXPO 2026 Recap: How Packaging Lines Are Changing

Mid-America Packaging | Week #42
PACK EXPO 2026 Recap: How Packaging Lines Are Changing
October 22, 2026

PACK EXPO 2026 ran Oct. 18–21 at McCormick Place in Chicago and set new records. About 2,700 exhibitors filled more than 1.3 million net square feet, with live machinery running in all four buildings. Across the floor, one theme stood out: plants want equipment that does more with fewer hands.

Here is what packaging teams should take away from the show.

 

Automation and Robotics Led PACK EXPO 2026

PMMI’s 2026 robotics report found that 61% of end users plan to raise robotics spending in the next 12 months. On the floor, that showed up most at the end of the line.

  • Compact palletizers: New models were built for plants with limited floor space and low ceilings. Some are rated up to 2,200 cases per hour.
  • Stronger cobots: Collaborative palletizers now handle loads up to 40 kg with built-in 3D vision.
  • Easier setup: Demos included cobots programmed by voice and AI vision that stacks mixed case sizes on one pallet.

For many plants, the goal is simple. Keep product moving when it is hard to staff every shift.

 

2D Barcodes Took Center Stage in Coding

GS1 Sunrise 2027 is the shift from 1D barcodes to 2D codes like QR codes and Data Matrix. It sets a milestone for retail systems to scan a 2D barcode and read at least the product’s GTIN. At the show, the talk moved from standards to real production lines.

Coding suppliers showed printers that put 2D codes on film, corrugate, and curved surfaces. Case coding demos were paired with barcode verification, so bad codes get caught before they ship. New continuous inkjet designs also promised longer service intervals and less solvent use.

If your line prints date codes or case codes today, ask two questions. Can your printer make a readable 2D code at full line speed? And do you have a way to verify it?

 

Our Suppliers at PACK EXPO 2026

Several brands that Mid-America Packaging sells and services exhibited in Chicago:

  • Evolabel: Showed its Coldstore print-and-apply range, built to label in freezers down to −22°F, including a motorized pallet labeling system. It also showed QuickTamp applicators and a new Belt Applicator.
  • Squid Ink: Brought its coding and marking lineup, including hi-res piezo, CIJ, TIJ, and laser coders.
  • Hitachi: Showed its continuous inkjet (CIJ) coding lineup and laser lineup, built for quick line changeovers and long run times between maintenance.
  • Valco Melton: Showed melt-on-demand hot melt systems, all-electric gluing, and inline checks for glue placement. Graco completed its purchase of Valco Melton on Aug. 31, 2026.

 

Sustainability Is Reshaping the End of the Line

PMMI research found that more than 82% of end users are actively adopting sustainability practices. At the end of the line, that means less plastic and new materials. Show sessions covered cutting stretch film without losing load stability. Paper-based and mono-material packaging also kept gaining ground.

New materials can change how equipment needs to run. A recycled-content case, a different tape, or a paper format may call for new settings on case sealers, labelers, and printers. Ink adhesion and label placement can shift too.

 

Service and Uptime Matter More Than Ever

With skilled technicians hard to find, service was a major theme. Equipment makers showed:

  • Live video support launched right from the machine
  • Built-in dashboards that track uptime and stop causes
  • Remote monitoring and alerts for coders
  • Longer gaps between scheduled maintenance

Inline inspection helps too. Vision systems can check glue placement, print quality, and seals, then reject bad packages on their own.

 

What PACK EXPO 2026 Means for Your Line

You do not need to chase every new machine. Start with a few questions:

  1. Is your coding equipment ready for 2D barcodes?
  2. Where does your end of line rely most on manual labor?
  3. Have recent material changes affected sealing or labeling?
  4. Does your preventive maintenance plan protect uptime?

Mid-America Packaging helps plants choose, install, and service printers, labelers, case sealers, and hot melt systems. Contact your local MAP rep to schedule an equipment assessment.

Mid-America Packaging / MAP Logo Packaging Equipment, Application Equipment, Equipment DistributorClick here to contact your Mid-America Packaging representative!

Call: (314) 652-4583 | Email: info@map-pack.com

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