The German Packaging Congress 2026 will once again bring together decision-makers from politics, branded goods, industry and retail on 19 March in Berlin. The German Packaging Institute e. V. (dvi) has now presented a comprehensive programme update. Under the motto „Now more than ever! Utilising entrepreneurial scope for action along the supply chain“, the industry summit is dedicated to current regulatory framework conditions, strategic issues relating to packaging and practical applications of new technologies.
The congress addresses key topics along the entire packaging value chain. The focus will include the current status of the Packaging Law Implementation Act and the Single-Use Plastics Fund, the role of packaging strategies between brand, market and responsibility and the question of how new raw materials and artificial intelligence can make a concrete contribution to value creation.
Regulation between obligation and room for manoeuvre
The congress day will start with a look at the regulatory hotspots in the packaging industry. Current developments relating to the Packaging Law Implementation Act and the Single-Use Plastics Fund will be discussed. According to the dvi, not only the status quo and the next political steps will be examined, but also the entrepreneurial room for manoeuvre in the area of conflict between PPWR and VerpackDG. Insights into political strategy and communication as well as market-orientated perspectives on low-carbon packaging solutions are part of this thematic block.
Packaging strategy in the area of conflict between brand and responsibility
The second thematic block centres on the innovative power of brands. The focus is on how companies can balance packaging strategy and brand management between performance, sustainability requirements and credible positioning. Based on practical examples from brand owners, best practices will be presented, experiences discussed and success factors for effective innovation work identified.
Biogenic raw materials and circular economy
Another focus of the 21st German Packaging Congress is the role of biogenic raw materials for packaging. Questions of scalability, cost-effectiveness and the ecological impact of new material solutions will take centre stage. Innovative secondary raw materials will be used as examples to show how resource conservation and product quality can be combined. Representatives from the circular economy, materials development and environmental organisations will assess the potential and limitations of these approaches.
Concrete use cases for artificial intelligence
The thematic block on artificial intelligence deliberately focusses on practical relevance. Specific application examples will be used to show where AI is delivering measurable added value in the packaging industry today. Success factors, application limits and prerequisites for implementation will be discussed, for example in the areas of packaging design, shelf-ready pack solutions and recruiting.
Networking evening at the end
At the end of the congress day, the dvi and its partners invite you to a networking evening. In an informal setting, discussions will be deepened, existing contacts cultivated and new connections made within the packaging industry.
The German Packaging Congress is regarded as the central forum for strategic dialogue in the packaging industry. It is aimed at entrepreneurs and managers from industry, retail and branded goods companies and offers space for cross-industry discussions on economic, ecological and social issues of the future.
Source: dvi
