interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum: Combating Food Loss & Driving Sustainable Packaging at interpack China 2026

Turn Global Initiatives into Local Action: Discover how the interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum (formerly SAVE FOOD) is shaping the future of food preservation, smart packaging, and circular supply chains at interpack China 2026.

From Global Vision to Regional Impact: The interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum

As the global packaging industry accelerates toward smarter, more sustainable practices, the renowned food-loss reduction initiative has evolved. Starting with the 2026 edition, SAVE FOOD has officially transitioned under the global interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum umbrella, bringing its core mission into a dynamic, multi-themed knowledge center.

At interpack China 2026 (taking place November 16–18 in Shanghai), the interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum serves as the ultimate gathering point for food processors, packaging manufacturers, logistics leaders, and brand owners. We connect international insights from organizations like the FAO and UNIDO with the unique operational realities of Asian agricultural and food supply chains.

Key Focus Areas at the 2026 interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum

The forum addresses systemic, actionable solutions that protect product integrity, satisfy tightening ESG mandates, and enhance profitability across the food supply chain:

• Active & Smart Preservation: Leveraging advanced active packaging, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and smart sensor technologies to radically extend the shelf life of fresh produce, meat, and pre-made dishes.
• Design-for-Recycling & Circular Economy: Moving away from problematic multi-layer plastics toward high-performance mono-materials (such as recyclable PET and PP structures) that protect food without compromising recyclability.
• Intelligent Supply Chain Traceability: Utilizing digital tracking systems and smart sensors to optimize distribution lines, reduce transit damage, and prevent premature retail or consumer waste.

Celebrating Excellence: Global & Regional Design Awards

The upcoming interpack China exhibition will shine a spotlight on groundbreaking packaging designs that combine food loss reduction with structural sustainability. Visitors can explore innovations inspired by recent global award winners:

• SAVE FOOD Design Award Honorees: Featuring innovations like 100% single-material resealable PET solutions (such as Grupo Lantero's ReKeepEat) and real-time freshness sensors (such as Innoscentia's spoilage detection tech) that prevent unnecessary disposal.
• Sustainability Design Award Honorees: Showcasing advanced mono-polypropylene (PP) packaging technologies, solvent-free retort pouches, and lightweight liquid packaging systems (such as AeroFlexx Packaging) that drastically minimize carbon footprints.

SAVE FOOD Design Award Honorees 2026

Grupo Lantero (Gold)		Greiner Packaging (Silver)		Innoscentia AB (Bronze)

Sustainability Design Award Honorees 2026

ALFA Machine Kourtoglou (Gold)		IRPLAST/TOPPAN (Silver)		AeroFlexx Packaging (Bronze)

The above information is from the official interpack 2026 release.  Image source: Messe Düsseldorf / Tillmann

Why You Should Be Part of the interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum

Whether you are looking to future-proof your product lines or source next-generation technologies, the interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum at interpack China offers distinct value:

For Packaging Suppliers:

Position your cutting-edge materials and machinery directly in front of major food, beverage, and agricultural buyers looking to solve critical loss-reduction and eco-compliance pain points.

For Food & Agri-Enterprises:

Discover how upgrading your packaging architecture can simultaneously protect product quality, slash supply chain shrinkage, and seamlessly fulfill rigorous ESG disclosure requirements.

For Industry Professionals:

Engage in high-level cross-sector dialogues, gain actionable insights from global experts, and network with pioneers driving the future of sustainable packaging.