The German packaging machinery industry is facing important turning points. Martin Buchwitz, Managing Director of Packaging Valley Germany e.V., draws a differentiated assessment of the sector at interpack 2026 and outlines strategic areas for action.
Digitalisation project with Bayer
A highlight of the trade fair appearance is the new digitalisation project with Bayer AG. „These operators of pharmaceutical machinery simply have the problem that production lines typically consist of machines from a wide variety of manufacturers, and they need to be able to communicate with each other effectively,“ explains Buchwitz.
The project aims to separate process and usage data in order to implement new functionalities, such as AI, without having to carry out complex validations. This is a crucial lever, especially in the highly regulated pharmaceutical environment, for bringing innovation to market with reasonable effort.
Strategic realignment against Asian competition
Despite its still strong market position, Buchwitz sees a need for action: „Simply hoping that things continue as they are at the moment, that won't work.“ Competition from Asia is moving at a pace that „sometimes makes you a bit dizzy“. German mechanical engineers need to move away from a pure high-end focus and also serve the growing market for „good enough machines“.
The Packaging Valley is therefore intensifying its focus on management topics and cooperations. „We are very strongly oriented towards this C-level,“ says Buchwitz. Spontaneous cooperations between member companies are already emerging at the joint trade fair stand. „Things happen there quite naturally, which we of course also wish for, because that is a key aspect of what we do as a network.“
Pragmatic optimism regarding the PPWR
The implementation of the PPWR presents a mixed picture: while larger companies are actively working on solutions, smaller businesses are letting the topic „simply happen to them,“ which Buchwitz describes as „very daring.“ The Packaging Valley is therefore developing pragmatic solutions that can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.
Buchwitz's outlook is optimistic despite all the challenges: ’If we do our homework and do what we know as an industry, then I am absolutely optimistic. It won't be easy. But it is realistically achievable.„
