UKPackaging Expo debuts in Manchester with inspiring array of packaging innovations and solutions
The first edition of UKPackaging Expo ran from 3rd – 4th September at Manchester Central, a landmark venue at the heart of a buzzing northern city.
The event quickly established itself as a valuable hub for networking, education and sourcing, giving packaging suppliers and professionals a dedicated platform in the north of England – a region described by one visitor as “full of doers” whose forebears helped launch an industrial revolution that changed the world.
A diverse mix of top-tier exhibitors presented an inspiring array of packaging innovations and robust manufacturing solutions for industries ranging from FMCG and pharmaceuticals to automotive and aerospace. The show floor featured everything from industry giants such as Unilever, through to British manufacturing stalwarts including Facer, Protek and Record Packaging Systems, alongside newcomers such as N&E Innovations (ViKang), which was making its UK market debut.
Turnkey production-line machinery, adhesive applications, sustainable packing tape, pallet-stabilising solutions, cartons to prevent leakage, recycled plastics, roll bags and ecommerce-ready delivery packets were all on display. Meanwhile, organisations including Sheffield Hallam University, Innovate UK, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North of England Packaging Society, WWF, and expert sustainability consultants Beyondly and Aura Pioneering offered guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other urgent issues for the sector.
The Sustainability Imperative
If one message stood out from the inaugural UKPackaging Expo, it was that sustainability and EPR compliance are now non-negotiable. The Content Theatre drew consistent crowds as exhibitors and visitors sought clarity on the complex and fast-evolving regulations and their cost implications.
Gillian Garside Wright, MD of Aura Pioneering, summed up the mood:
“The UK is lagging behind Europe and the US on EPR, so businesses are understandably anxious. It’s about capturing data and knowing your obligations, which change depending on where products are sold. We have to update our advice constantly, as the requirements shift week by week. Digital passports on packaging are likely to come, though very small businesses don’t need to panic yet, as many will fall below the thresholds.”
With a clear mission to champion practical innovation and foster meaningful business connections, UKPackaging Expo 2025 will continue to serve the real-world needs of packaging professionals across food and drink, beauty, manufacturing, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and beyond. Sustainability will remain at the heart of the show, with exhibitors encouraged to demonstrate genuine environmental credentials and technologies aligned with circular economy and net-zero goals.