Created as a dedicated platform in the north of England for packaging suppliers and professionals, UKPackaging Expo provides a unique experience as well as a valuable hub for networking, education and sourcing.
The premier edition of UKPackaging Expo ran from 3rd – 4th September at Manchester Central to the delight of the packaging industry and the second edition will take place on November 10th and 11th at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool.
Exhibitor and Visitor Experience
Luke Wilson, owner of Facer, a company with 85 years of heritage, said he was impressed by the quality of engagement:
“It’s been quality over quantity, and those conversations equalled what we’ve had at shows with much higher footfall. Some visitors came specifically to see us, and we met everyone from start-ups to established brands and even some major retailers. The location in the north really works, and it’s been great for networking. They’ve put on a good show.”
Duncan Briffett, CEO of Webpac reinforced the sentiment:
"We've had some really positive interactions with people from across the packaging industry - not only suppliers but also some very well known brands. It has been great to be part of an event that is taking a new direction and appeals to such a wide industry cross section."
The Managing Director of Protek, Eamon Talbot, echoed the positive mood:
“We’d taken a break from exhibiting for six years but saw this as the right opportunity. The Expo is close to home, within budget, and we’ve had enquiries from companies solving problems as well as those developing brand new products. For us it’s also about networking – many of our potential customers were exhibiting too. We provide one piece of the jigsaw, but here we’ve found partners to help customers build complete solutions.”
At Mark Forged, which showcased the world’s first composite and metal printer, Oscar Cutts reported good lead quality:
“It’s worth it in my opinion. The Expo’s well organised, the venue works, and it’s cost-effective and efficient.”
For N&E Innovations (ViKang), the event marked a UK first with their cashew-based, industrially compostable clingfilm. Devi Krishna said:
“We think this is the only product in the global market offering antimicrobial properties, tensile strength and cost competitiveness all in one. Some catering companies have stepped away from clingfilm because they couldn’t find a sustainable option – this could be a game changer. Networking here has been excellent, with buyers, manufacturers and potential partners showing real interest – even in non-food applications.”
Visitor feedback reinforced the sense of optimism. Adrian Robinson of Seidel GmbH commented:
“It’s good to see someone disrupt the status quo. A lot of decisions are made in the south, but the doers are in the north. With so much industry in the north-west, it makes perfect sense to hold an exhibition here. Footfall may be lower than some shows – it’s the first year, after all – but what matters is the quality of discussion. There’s a reason companies like Unilever are here with a strong presence, and the next edition will be even stronger.”
The 2026 edition of UKPackaging Expo will take place on November 10th and 11th, at the Exhibition Centre, located dockside at KingsDock, Liverpool.
Further information can be found on the exhibitor information page of the UKPackaging Expo website.