Markus Rustler, CEO of THEEGARTEN-PACTEC and interpack President, is warning at interpack 2026 about the consequences of machine replicas for the packaging industry. Together with competitors, the Dresden-based specialist for confectionery packaging machines has issued a press release highlighting a growing problem.
One-to-one copies threaten R&D investment
„It is indeed the case that we are noticing that products from our programme, products from the programmes of competitors are being copied one-to-one,“ explains Rustler. Particularly problematic: „This also receives support from large companies that use these copies.“
The consequences for the industry are serious: „We all put a lot of money together into Research and Development, and if that's then rewarded by our machines being copied on behalf of companies, then we won't be able to afford it anymore at some point.“ For Rustler, this means nothing less than the innovation base of the entire industry is at stake.
Positive trade fair results and growth markets
Despite these concerns, Rustler draws a positive conclusion from interpack 2026: „6.5 days are over. We are extremely satisfied with the response and the leads we were able to generate.“ For the first time, THEEGARTEN-PACTEC exhibited together with Turkish partner company Magrev – a concept that paid off.
For the coming years, Rustler sees particular opportunities in emerging markets: „The Indian subcontinent is on a path of steady growth“ and „Africa is growing and growing. Africa is raising living standards in many markets. Disposable income is rising.“ When it comes to sustainable packaging, he sees technical progress but cost-related hurdles: „Paper-based and also highly paper-based packaging materials can be used. The cost factor is a different matter.“ His assessment: „If we manage to get the consumer willing to pay 20 percent more for the product because it is packaged in paper, that's wonderful.“
PPWR uncertainty weighs on planning
The planned EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is keeping the industry busy. „The uncertainty is immense because nobody really knows what direction it's going to go,“ says Rustler. This uncertainty is „bad for business, bad for investments, bad for planning.“.
Rustler's balance sheet highlights the duality of the current market situation: technological innovation is progressing, new growth markets are opening up – but regulatory uncertainties and unfair competition from copies are challenging the industry. The solution lies not in a single lever, but in an alliance of manufacturers who jointly defend their innovation performance.
