INTERPACK REVIEW


MOGULS TO AI X-RAY


FROM Kennedy’s Confection


explores how interpack 2026 revealed a confectionery industry accelerating toward smarter, more


flexible and more sustainable production. Kiran Grewal reports.


F


or seven days in May, the global confectionery industry converged on interpack 2026 as Düsseldorf once again became the centre


of innovation for processing and packaging technologies. Across packed exhibition halls, manufacturers,


developers demonstrated how


suppliers and technology the


confectionery sector is accelerating in response to demands for greater flexibility, sustainability, digitalisation and production efficiency. This momentum was visible throughout the


show. High visitor traffic, intensive technical discussions and a consistently international atmosphere reinforced the importance of the exhibition as a decision-making platform for the global confectionery and snack industries. Everywhere, ideas were being tested, partnerships developed and investment projects discussed live on the show floor. From 7 to 13 May, 2,804 exhibitors from 65


countries and trade visitors from 161 countries came together in Düsseldorf on the fully booked exhibition grounds. Of all visitors, 75 percent came from outside Germany, including 28 percent from outside Europe. Around 100 additional companies were represented at components, the supplier trade fair held in parallel. This made interpack 2026 the largest edition in its history in terms of exhibitors, underlining what was clearly felt in the halls: this was an event with exceptional impact. “That was a top interpack. Busy halls, intensive


exchange and concrete projects showed the strength of this global community. interpack is the most important meeting place for the industry worldwide, and this edition impressively confirmed that,” said Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack, at the close of the trade fair. For confectionery manufacturers, several


themes dominated the exhibition floor this year: intelligent depositing systems, hygienic machine design, sustainable packaging development, smart inspection technology and highly flexible packaging solutions capable of handling increasingly diverse product ranges.


INTERPACK 2026 IMPRESSIVELY DEMONSTRATED JUST HOW STRONG THE DEMAND IS FOR


PRODUCT-CENTRIC, CUSTOMER- ORIENTED SOLUTIONS IN THE CONFECTIONERY INDUSTRY.” — CARSTEN


BUTZ, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, WINKLER UND DÜNNEBIER SÜSSWARENMASCHINEN GMBH


WDS Places the product at the centre of manufacturing One of the strongest confectionery-focused presentations at interpack 2026 came from Winkler und Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen GmbH, which appeared under the motto “Product Centricity – Focus on your product.” The company’s approach centred on designing machinery and production systems around the specific needs of confectionery products themselves, rather than forcing products to adapt to fixed processing limitations. Across its 650 m² exhibition stand in Hall 1, WDS showcased technologies covering the entire spectrum of cast confectionery masses, with pouring temperatures ranging from 20 °C to over 150 °C. The stand attracted significant international


attention throughout the exhibition, with visitors


engaging in detailed technical


discussions around depositing precision, hygienic engineering and production flexibility. Jessica Runkel, Managing Director at


WDS, reflected positively on the exhibition’s outcome: “The visitor response at interpack and the in-depth discussions with customers and partners have made this year’s interpack a complete success. We are taking away many tasks, ideas, and projects – and now have our hands full turning them into reality with great energy and motivation.” Among the stand’s key highlights was the MogulPRO system, which demonstrated a strong emphasis on operational accessibility


Kiran Grewal, Editor Kennedy’s Confection with Roberto Scanu, Product Inspection Business Area Manager, Mettler- Toledo Italy


12 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • MAY 2026


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