Empack Ghent 2026 – Packaging Technology Event Belgium

Full event programme

The Empack Ghent 2026 programme combines exhibition activities with educational sessions, conferences, specialist training, awards, demonstrations and networking opportunities. The programme is designed to address both immediate operational challenges and longer-term changes affecting the packaging industry.

Belgian Packaging Festival: A dedicated area focusing on packaging design, innovation, materials, branding and sustainability.

Start-Up World: A platform for emerging businesses and innovative technologies entering the packaging market.

Vouwkarton Pavilion: A specialist area dedicated to folding-carton packaging and related applications.

Service Pack Pavilion: A dedicated area connecting visitors with companies providing specialist packaging services.

Knowledge Corner: A space bringing educational institutions and packaging research closer to industry professionals.

Industrial & Transit Packaging: A focus zone covering industrial, tertiary, transport and protective packaging.

Packaging & Label Awards: An awards programme recognising innovation and achievements in packaging and labelling.

Packaging Woman of Belgium: An industry award recognising women making an important contribution to the Belgian packaging sector.

Networking reception: An afterwork drinks reception takes place following the first exhibition day.

Event dates

Empack Ghent 2026 will take place on 22 and 23 September 2026 at Flanders Expo Gent in Ghent, Belgium. The professional packaging technology event brings together packaging manufacturers, technology suppliers, brand owners, logistics professionals, purchasing managers, designers, engineers and other industry decision-makers. The exhibition is held alongside Transport & Logistics and Logistics & Industrial Build, creating a broader environment for professionals working across packaging, transport, logistics and industrial operations.

The first exhibition day, Tuesday 22 September, runs from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, followed by an afterwork networking reception. The second day, Wednesday 23 September, runs from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Visitors can use the event to discover new packaging machinery, materials, automation technologies, sustainable packaging solutions and specialist services while also attending conferences and networking activities.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Empack Ghent 2026 will be held at Flanders Expo, Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Gent, Belgium. Flanders Expo is a major Belgian exhibition and conference venue with multiple large halls and facilities designed for professional trade fairs, conferences and business events.

The exhibition site provides a large environment for packaging technology companies and related service providers. Visitors can explore packaging machinery, materials, printing and labelling technologies, industrial and transit packaging, automation, sustainability solutions and other technologies connected with modern packaging operations.

The 2026 edition also includes a dedicated Industrial & Transit Packaging focus area. This area gives additional attention to industrial, tertiary, transport and protective packaging, making the event particularly relevant to companies looking beyond traditional consumer packaging.

Because Empack is co-located with Transport & Logistics and Logistics & Industrial Build, visitors can also discover solutions and suppliers connected with warehousing, transportation, supply-chain management and industrial infrastructure.

Event rules & visitor information

Empack Ghent is primarily a professional B2B exhibition, so visitors are encouraged to register before travelling to the venue. General exhibition access is available through the official visitor-registration system, while some specialist training sessions and workshops require separate registration.

Visitors should check the official event programme before arrival because several conference sessions may take place simultaneously. Planning specific sessions in advance can help visitors make better use of the two-day exhibition, particularly when they also want to visit exhibitors and themed pavilions.

Flanders Expo provides accessibility facilities for visitors with reduced mobility, including accessible parking spaces and wheelchair-accessible areas. Visitors who require additional assistance should check the venue’s accessibility information before arrival.

The exhibition also brings together several events at the same venue, so visitors should follow the appropriate event signage and check their registration details carefully when entering the exhibition complex.

How to get there

Flanders Expo is situated at Maaltekouter 1 in Ghent and has convenient road and public-transport connections. The venue can be reached from major Belgian motorways, making it accessible for visitors travelling from Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges and other Belgian cities.

By car from Brussels: Follow the E40 towards Ghent and use the exit signposted for Flanders Expo/Ghent.

By car from Antwerp: Follow the E17 towards Ghent and continue towards the Flanders Expo area using the appropriate local exit.

From Gent-Sint-Pieters: The venue can be reached conveniently by tram or bus from the main railway station.

By bicycle: Visitors travelling by bicycle can use the designated cycling routes leading towards the Flanders Expo complex.

Flanders Expo’s location outside the historic centre also makes it convenient for visitors arriving by car, while its connection to Gent-Sint-Pieters provides an efficient option for people travelling by train.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is one of the easiest ways to reach Flanders Expo from central Ghent. Tram T1 connects the exhibition centre with Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station and provides a direct connection for visitors arriving by train. Bus routes 76, 77 and 78 also serve the exhibition area.

Train: Arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station and continue to Flanders Expo by tram or bus.

Tram: Tram T1 provides a direct connection between the railway station and the exhibition complex.

Bus: Routes 76, 77 and 78 provide additional public-transport connections.

Parking: Flanders Expo has several parking areas serving visitors to exhibitions and events. Visitors arriving by car should follow the event signage and use the designated parking areas.

Accessible parking: Designated spaces are available for visitors with reduced mobility.

Electric vehicles: Charging facilities are available at the Flanders Expo site, providing an option for visitors travelling with electric cars.

Accommodation areas

Ghent offers accommodation ranging from hotels close to Flanders Expo to properties in the historic city centre. Visitors attending both days may find it convenient to stay close to the exhibition site, while those combining the event with sightseeing may prefer central Ghent.

Flanders Expo and The Loop: The most convenient area for visitors prioritising proximity to the exhibition venue and easy road access.

Sint-Denijs-Westrem: A practical location between the city centre and Flanders Expo, particularly for visitors using taxis or private vehicles.

Gent-Sint-Pieters: A useful option for train travellers because of the direct tram and bus connections to Flanders Expo.

Ghent city centre: Suitable for visitors who want access to restaurants, cultural attractions, historic architecture and evening activities.

Staying near Gent-Sint-Pieters can be particularly practical for international visitors arriving by train, while the city centre provides a wider choice of accommodation and dining options.

Previous year’s highlights

Previous Empack editions have continued to develop the event from a traditional packaging exhibition into a broader platform covering technology, sustainability, design, regulation and business networking. The Belgian Packaging Festival introduced a stronger focus on packaging creativity, brand identity, sustainable materials and consumer-facing design.

Earlier editions also highlighted the increasing importance of packaging legislation and environmental requirements. Topics surrounding recycling, reusable packaging, material choices and sustainability have become increasingly prominent across the programme.

The 2026 edition continues these themes while adding further attention to industrial and transit packaging, artificial intelligence, packaging data, food-contact considerations and practical implementation of regulatory requirements.

The continued presence of awards, specialist pavilions, educational institutions and start-ups also demonstrates the event’s broader focus on innovation rather than packaging machinery alone.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

Empack Ghent 2026 features industry professionals and specialists representing packaging companies, retailers, sustainability organisations, research institutions and other organisations connected with the packaging value chain.

Lotte Krekels: Packaging Manager at Carrefour, contributing to discussions around preparation for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Prof. Els Du Bois: Participating in discussions concerning reusable packaging systems and practical approaches to reuse.

Geert Bammens: Senior Innovation Consultant at VIGC, addressing artificial intelligence, operators, machines and production data.

Nette De Wachter: Marketing, Communication and Trademark Service Provider at FSC Belgium, discussing the FSC logo and responsible packaging communication.

Sara Geeroms: Head of Department Food Contact Materials at IBE-BVI BV, contributing expertise on fluorine screening, PFAS and food-contact packaging.

Ronald Kloppert: Commercial Director at HB RTS, discussing packaging pooling and related industry developments.

Ana Oliveira: Strategic Communications Leader at SEC Newgate EU, discussing practical implementation of PPWR across the value chain.

The speaker programme provides a mixture of technical, regulatory, sustainability, business and strategic perspectives, giving visitors opportunities to understand packaging challenges from different parts of the industry.

Conference sessions & tracks

The conference programme covers several major themes relevant to packaging professionals. Regulatory changes form one of the most important areas, with multiple sessions examining the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and its implications for packaging businesses.

Packaging legislation: Sessions explore PPWR developments, compliance requirements and preparation for future packaging rules.

Circular packaging: Discussions focus on recycling, reusable packaging systems and the transition towards more circular packaging models.

Sustainability: Experts examine responsible materials, sustainability communication, green claims and environmental strategies.

Artificial intelligence: Sessions explore how AI can connect packaging operators, machinery and production data.

Food packaging: The programme includes food-contact materials, folding cartons, sensory quality and packaging performance.

Transport packaging: Industrial, tertiary, transport and protective packaging receive dedicated attention.

Packaging design: The Belgian Packaging Festival explores design, innovation, branding and packaging experiences.

Certification and responsible sourcing: FSC-related sessions address certification and responsible forest-based packaging materials.

The variety of tracks makes the conference programme useful for both technical specialists and managers responsible for packaging strategy, compliance and sustainability.

Session times & schedule

The detailed programme is distributed across different stages and specialist areas. Visitors should check the official programme close to the event because individual sessions and speakers can be updated.

On 22 September, sessions begin in the morning and continue throughout the afternoon. Topics include in-line packaging quality control, reusable packaging systems, AI and production data, sustainability communication, PFAS considerations, PPWR developments, recyclable packaging and transport packaging.

The afternoon programme also includes sessions on packaging pooling and practical PPWR implementation, while the Packaging Woman of Belgium 2026 programme provides an additional industry-focused activity.

On 23 September, the programme includes Packaging Essentials, reusable parcel packaging, food-packaging quality, transport simulation, AI for packaging compliance, folding-carton applications and reusable-packaging implementation.

22 September: Exhibition 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, with conference and specialist sessions throughout the day.

23 September: Exhibition 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, with conferences, workshops and training continuing throughout the day.

Visitors should use the official programme when planning their timetable because some sessions overlap and may take place in different areas of the venue.

Ticket types & registration

General visitor registration for Empack Ghent 2026 is free. Registration provides access to the main exhibition and also allows visitors to access the co-located Transport & Logistics event.

General visitor ticket: Free exhibition access.

Conference access: Included as part of the event experience where sessions are open to registered visitors.

Specialist training: Selected educational courses require separate paid registration.

Workshops: Certain specialist workshops have their own registration requirements.

Exhibition access: Registration provides access to the professional exhibition areas during the event’s opening hours.

Visitors who want to attend specialist training should check the individual programme listing because these sessions have different registration arrangements from general exhibition admission.

Registration deadlines

General visitor registration should be completed through the official Empack Ghent registration system before travelling to the venue. Advance registration is recommended because it allows visitors to prepare their event access and plan their programme.

Specialist courses and workshops may have limited places, meaning visitors interested in these activities should register as early as possible.

22 September: FSC Chain of Custody Certification Training is scheduled for the morning.

23 September: Packaging Essentials takes place in the morning.

23 September: The reusable packaging workshop takes place during the afternoon.

Because specialist sessions are separate from standard exhibition access, visitors should confirm the individual registration requirements before attending.

Exhibitor list & major companies

Empack Ghent 2026 brings together more than 200 exhibitors and partners across the wider event environment. The exhibitor community includes companies involved in packaging machinery, packaging materials, industrial packaging, labelling, printing, automation, contract packaging and packaging services.

Akwazi: Listed among the exhibitors participating in the 2026 event.

Alpac: Focuses on reusable plastic load carriers and logistics packaging solutions.

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems: Presents solutions related to automated industrial and warehouse environments.

Aubier-Colard: Provides polyolefin shrink-film packaging solutions.

Ausloos Verpakkingstechniek: Supplies packaging machines and palletising and handling technologies.

Avamoplast: Develops food-packaging solutions using different plastic and recycled-material approaches.

Bema: Provides packaging solutions for food-industry applications.

BITO SYSTEMS: Offers storage, logistics and reusable transport packaging solutions.

Bizerba Belgium: Exhibits weighing, labelling and inspection technologies.

BOS+ Vlaanderen: Represents environmental and forest-related sustainability initiatives.

The official exhibitor directory should be consulted for the latest complete company list and stand information because exhibitor participation can change before the exhibition.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

Flanders Expo provides multiple exhibition halls and large-scale event spaces, allowing Empack and its co-located exhibitions to operate within a substantial exhibition environment. Empack Ghent 2026 includes more than 15,000 square metres of exhibition space within the broader event configuration.

Visitors should use the official floor plan and event planner to locate individual exhibitors, stages and specialist zones. This is especially useful because the exhibition combines packaging with transport, logistics and industrial-build companies.

Industrial & Transit Packaging: Focused on industrial, tertiary, transport and protective packaging.

Belgian Packaging Festival: Dedicated to packaging design, materials, branding and innovation.

Start-Up World: Highlights emerging companies and new packaging technologies.

Vouwkarton Pavilion: Dedicated to folding-carton packaging.

Service Pack Pavilion: Connects visitors with specialist packaging service providers.

Knowledge Corner: Links education, research and packaging innovation.

LogiLounge: Provides a networking environment for established companies and start-ups.

ING VIP Lounge: Offers a dedicated area for networking and visitor hospitality.

Networking & business meetings

Networking is an important part of Empack Ghent because the exhibition attracts professionals from different stages of the packaging and supply chain. Visitors can meet packaging suppliers, machinery manufacturers, technology developers, sustainability specialists, logistics professionals and potential business partners.

The co-location with Transport & Logistics further expands the networking opportunities by bringing packaging professionals into contact with transport, warehousing and supply-chain companies.

Business meetings: Visitors can use the exhibition to arrange direct conversations with suppliers and potential partners.

Supplier discovery: Exhibitors provide opportunities to compare competing technologies and services.

Start-up networking: Start-Up World provides opportunities to discover emerging packaging companies.

Industry networking: The conference programme brings together specialists from different parts of the packaging value chain.

Afterwork reception: The networking drinks reception on 22 September provides an informal setting for continuing business conversations.

The combination of formal meetings, conference discussions and informal networking makes the event useful for professionals researching new suppliers as well as companies actively looking for commercial opportunities.

Industry sectors & highlights

Empack Ghent 2026 covers a broad range of packaging-related sectors and technologies.

Packaging machinery: Machinery for filling, wrapping, bagging, palletising and automated packaging operations.

Packaging materials: Materials used across primary, secondary, industrial and transport packaging.

Industrial packaging: Solutions designed for manufacturing, warehousing and industrial environments.

Transit packaging: Protective and transport-focused packaging for supply-chain operations.

Labelling: Labelling, identification and traceability technologies.

Printing: Printing technologies and services used for packaging and labels.

Food packaging: Packaging solutions designed around food safety, quality and product protection.

Sustainable packaging: Recycled, recyclable, reusable and responsibly sourced packaging solutions.

Automation: Technologies designed to improve packaging productivity, quality and operational efficiency.

Packaging design: Creative and functional design solutions linking packaging with branding and consumer experience.

Digitalisation: AI, production data and digital technologies supporting modern packaging operations.

Compliance: Solutions and expertise helping businesses respond to evolving packaging regulations.

The event is therefore relevant to manufacturers, retailers, brand owners, packaging developers, logistics companies, procurement teams and sustainability professionals.

Official registration & tickets

General registration for Empack Ghent 2026 is available through the official Empack website and general visitor access is free. The registration also provides access to the co-located Transport & Logistics exhibition.

Specialist training and workshops are separate from standard exhibition registration. These activities include Packaging Essentials, FSC Chain of Custody Certification Training and the reusable packaging workshop.

The specialist course prices, converted to USD, are approximately as follows:

General exhibition registration: $0.

Packaging Essentials: approximately $174 excluding VAT.

Reusable Packaging Workshop: approximately $174 excluding VAT.

FSC Chain of Custody training for a certified company: approximately $139 excluding VAT.

FSC Chain of Custody training for a non-certified company: approximately $174 excluding VAT.

Additional FSC participant: approximately $88 excluding VAT where the organiser’s additional-participant discount applies.

The USD figures are approximate conversions and visitors should confirm the final amount shown during official registration.

Official event website: https://www.empack.be/en/gent-2026/