Digitalisation, EU regulation and technical performance shape the future

Digital technologies, European regulatory requirements and advances in packaging performance were the three central themes at INNO-Pouch 2026, held on 8 and 9 October at HP’s facilities in Sant Cugat near Barcelona. Industry experts discussed how digital solutions, innovative materials and new manufacturing technologies are shaping the next generation of stand-up pouches.

The European stand-up pouch market continues to expand, with consumption more than doubling over the past 15 years. However, manufacturers face increasing cost pressures, fluctuating order volumes and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions.

Artificial intelligence and automation emerged as key drivers of change. Christoph Goeken from info.link demonstrated how AI is transforming packaging procurement, enabling buyers to research suppliers, recyclability, regulatory compliance and technical specifications. Reliable, structured and machine-readable product information is becoming increasingly important.

HP highlighted the growing role of digital printing in enabling shorter production runs, greater product differentiation and faster time to market.

Smart packaging was another focus. Kurz Scribos and HP presented digitally printed anti-counterfeiting features that allow consumers to authenticate products using smartphones without installing an app. The technology also supports traceability and brand interaction.

Advances in manufacturing technology promise further efficiency gains. Karlville Swiss introduced a digitally controlled pouch-making platform offering productivity improvements of up to 20 per cent and significantly reduced changeover times.

Watttron demonstrated pixel-based heat-sealing technology combined with AI-supported quality monitoring. Precise temperature control can improve seal reliability while potentially reducing sealing energy consumption by up to 50 per cent.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) featured prominently throughout the conference. Its requirements are accelerating the development of recyclable packaging structures and increasing the importance of reliable material and compliance data.

Speakers from epeaswitzerland and Interzero highlighted digital product passports, structured information management and AI-assisted compliance assessment as important tools for meeting regulatory requirements.

However, achieving recyclability without compromising product protection remains a major technical challenge.

Considerable attention focused on replacing conventional multi-material laminates with recyclable polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) structures.

LyondellBasell presented developments in polyolefin materials designed to combine recyclability with barrier performance, heat resistance and processability.

Particularly significant were advances in retort pouches, which must withstand high-temperature sterilisation. Huhtamaki demonstrated mono-PP structures containing up to 98 per cent polypropylene, while Toppan Packaging Czech and Irplast presented high-barrier solutions using silicon oxide-coated Bopp films.

Other innovations addressed the practical challenges of converting these materials. Morchem introduced solvent-free laminating adhesives for recyclable retort pouches, while Georg Menshen demonstrated improved spout-sealing techniques. Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik presented ultrasonic sealing as an alternative to conventional heat sealing, particularly for temperature-sensitive mono-material films.

Paper-based pouches were also examined. one.five highlighted persistent challenges involving barrier performance, folding, sealing and mechanical stability, underlining the need for comprehensive testing.

The conference demonstrated that the transition towards smarter and more sustainable stand-up pouches depends on more than individual material innovations. Digitalisation, regulatory compliance, packaging design and manufacturing processes must increasingly be developed together.

Close collaboration between material suppliers, machinery manufacturers, converters and brand owners will therefore be essential to delivering packaging solutions that combine recyclability, technical performance and commercial viability.