London Packaging Week 2026 reveals 26 innovations shaping the future of packaging
When the doors open at Excel London next month, more than 5,700 packaging professionals will come together to explore the ideas, techna
London Packaging Week 2026 is delighted to announce the 26-strong shortlist for this year’s Innovation Gallery.
The Innovation Gallery brings together a shortlist of the most forward-thinking, sustainable and creative packaging solutions from exhibitors at London Packaging Week 2026. The shortlist is curated by an expert panel of judges and for 2026 has been expanded to 26 products.
These have been selected from all four areas of the London Packaging Week 2026 exhibitor list: luxury, beauty, drinks and FMCG. This creates an all-encompassing overview of the innovations to be discovered on the show floor.
The London Packaging Week 2026 Innovation Gallery shortlist is:
This is a precision-embossed rPP non-woven substrate that reproduces the look and feel of premium leather grain. Made from post-consumer/-industrial recycled (PCR/PIR) polypropylene, it is fully recyclable, cuts life-cycle carbon versus virgin materials, and meets ESG low-carbon and circular economy goals.
Ranpak’s insulating RecyCold climaliner and sustainable cool packs hold ambient, chilled and frozen goods at temperature for up to 48 hours, then can be curbside recycled.
PULP Ultra® is a made from over 95% natural fibres and treated with a barrier coating of <5%, that meets both legislative standards and customers’ expectations for superior strength and heat resistance. No PFAS are included intentionally in its formulation.
NutraCap™ is a fibre-based closure that replaces plastic caps. A drop-in solution and recyclable as paper, NutraCap™ helps brands to meet rising demands for sustainability without disrupting production or compromising quality.
- Multi-material trays with peel tab from Rottneros Packaging Stand C91)
Made from FSC responsible fibre and a plastic liner below 9% of the pack structure, these microwave and oven-safe trays offer the strength and the long-life barrier that meets retailer supply chain needs. The liner separates easily, removing food residue for efficient recycling, per CPI Confederation of Paper Industry guidelines. The trays are rated as CEPI 3 recyclable and Aticelca 502:2022 A-Level separable.
To meet the growing demand for resource-efficient, sustainable packaging, Holmen has developed Holmen Elevate, a range of ultra-lightweight containerboard grades starting at 72gsm, made from fresh fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests.
An innovative fragrance pump designed to deliver a consistently fine and even mist across different pressing speeds and forces. A patented internal structure helps maintain stable atomisation while avoiding dripping, leakage and uneven spraying.
Currently unique on the market, r-Platina ME is a HDPE mono-material laminate tube with embedded silver metallisation and >30% PCR. It combines a premium metallic look, UV protection, excellent oxygen barrier and is ready for future stages of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), when all packaging placed on the EU market must achieve a high-performance rating of either Grade A (95% recyclable by weight) or Grade B (80% recyclable by weight).
This Refillable Airless Glass Jar combines an airless system to protect the formula against moisture, air, and other environmental factors; a refillable PP inner cylinder that is easily recycled; and a glass outer vessel, offering a luxurious and elegant appearance.
This is the only carbon-neutral shrink tunnel, operating with electricity and water only. Delivering premium 360-degree shrink quality, it reduces energy use by up to 80% and water consumption by 95%, with no pressured steam, exhaust, or external dryer required.
This perfume glass bottle stands out with innovative craftsmanship and an aesthetic design. A vertical ribbed inner carving enriches light transmission and tactility.
A metal-free fluid path prevents fragrance formulations from contacting metal components during dispensing, protecting formula integrity, reducing potential interactions with sensitive ingredients, and delivering a cleaner, safer fragrance experience.
Made of natural limestone CaCO₃ composite, this 100% compostable cosmetic packaging replaces virgin fossil plastic and cuts carbon emissions. It features natural premium matte finish without solvent coatings, offering practical sustainable packaging for luxury beauty brands.
ZEROBOX replaces single-use cardboard with a modular system of plates, pipes, and clips, which can be assembled into any box size, then disassembled and rebuilt endlessly. One kit adapts to any shipment, cutting waste and enabling true circular reuse.
The Sovereign bottle to support the English and Welsh wine-making industry by bringing production closer to the vineyard. Winemakers have traditionally relied on bottles imported from across Europe. Produced in England, The Sovereign bottle uses distinctive amber glass rather than the traditional green used for European sparkling wine bottles. This gives it strong shelf presence and clear British provenance. It also contains 49% recycled content, while shorter transport distances could reduce road miles for millions of bottles.
MonoBox is a patent-pending retail gift box: one material, one process, one action, one motion. Less material, complexity, assembly time and fulfilment cost, with greater efficiency, quality and theatre.
Microauthenfy® is a mould-integrated microfeature that gives products a distinctive visual identity and a physical layer of authentication. Embedded directly into the mould, it enhances design and brand protection without labels, added components or secondary processes, enabling scalable, low-cost authentication in every moulded part.
This calendar integrates AI design concepts. Each month features exclusive printing technique, with varied finishes: cold foil, laser cutting, holographic effects and more. It perfectly merges digital AI creativity with traditional printing craftsmanship.
This two-piece rigid box combines premium packaging with flat-packed efficiency. It offers quick assembly, lower transport and storage costs, and can be customised for perfumes, cosmetics, wines, spirits, and other premium products.
This cosmetics pack is made using 30& PCR and sugarcane. The material will decompose naturally in soil, the ocean, and the natural ecological cycles.
A range of recycled papers in different shades and with 100% recycled or 50% PCR options; and tree-free papers made using alternative fibres such as sugarcane bagasse, bamboo, cotton or grass.
Pocket E-commerce is a practical, sustainable, and fully customisable packaging solution for e-commerce and retail. With a paper adhesive closure for returns, it reduces packaging, enhances brand visibility, and improves the customer experience.
The Multi-Tool process combines hot stamping and embossing in a single run, transforming two separate production stages into one streamlined process. This innovative solution reduces setup time, improves efficiency and enables precise, consistent decoration with a single tool.
Movopack and OVS have developed a customised reusable packaging system designed to travel safely, remain on-brand and return to the retail network after unboxing. Each unit can be reused more than 20 times. The companies claim this can cut packaging waste by up to 98% and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 84% compared with single-use cardboard boxes.
Selected OVS online orders are already shipped in the returnable packaging. Customers can return it by post or at any OVS store. OVS Friends members who return it in-store receive 10% off their next purchase.
inLINE FOILING is a patented decoration process that integrates metallisation into conventional printing. Using a single, overprintable silver foil, it enables multi-metallisation and the combination of metallic and holographic effects with screen or flexo printing in one process, for tubes, glass, plastic, or aluminium.
The Crush Tomato and Crush Espresso Coffee packaging papers are made using by-products recovered from agro-industrial supply chains. Crush Tomato incorporates tomato skins recovered from food processing and has a warm shade created with inorganic pigments that are not derived from fossil sources; while Crush Espresso Coffee uses silverskin, a by-product of coffee roasting. The papers expand the Crush range for luxury packaging, catalogues, tags, invitations, labels and communication projects.
Each of these products will be displayed as part of the Innovation Gallery (Stand D102) during London Packaging Week 2026, while each exhibitor will also be showing off their innovations on their respective stands.
Paul Jenkins, founder and CEO of ThePackHub and who led the judging panel for the Innovation Gallery shortlist, said: “The London Packaging Week 2026 Innovation Gallery is the simplest way to discover what is new across the event floor.
“By pinpointing specific innovations and breakthroughs, we give brand owners, packaging developers, designers, and sustainability leaders a fast overview of the most exciting launches at the event.”
Alongside Paul, the judging panel included Greg Bentley (Packaging Director, Suntory), Ian Rothey (Packaging Innovation Manager, Haleon), Zoe Price (Senior Packaging Development Engineer, Mars Wrigley), and Grace Marsh (Group Head of Innovation, FeverTree).
Paul will lead a guided tour of the Innovation Gallery on both days of London Packaging Week 2026. Tours will take place at 11:30 and 14:00 on Wednesday 16 September and at 11:00 and 13:00 on Thursday 17 September.
Those who visit the Innovation Gallery on the show floor also get to select the winner. By tapping their badge on the solution believed to be the most innovative, this year’s winner will be chosen.
The winner and runners-up will be revealed live on the FMCG stage at 13:45 on Day 2 of London Packaging Week 2026.
London Packaging Week 2026 takes place 16 & 17 September at Excel.
Registration is free for industry professionals and includes access to the Innovation Gallery, as well as the two-day exhibition, extensive conference programme, networking opportunities, and feature areas.
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