PMMI’s latest sustainability report highlightgrowing investment in recyclable materials, advanced technologies, and moresustainable production systems across Latin America
Mexico City; 22 April – As the worldcelebrates the 56th Earth Day, EXPO PACK México 2026, the leading packaging and processing event in LatinAmerica,prepares to demonstrate how sustainability is shaping the future of packagingand processing in the region.
Theshow, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and ProcessingTechnologies, scheduled to takeplace June 2–5, 2026, at Expo Santa Fe in Mexico City, will present advancedmachines and materials that reduce environmental impact, conserve resources,and minimize waste.
TheEXPO PACK Verde program identifies exhibitors offering sustainable solutions, includingrecyclable materials, carbon reduction technologies, and more efficientpackaging processes. The EXPO PACK Verde logo displayed at exhibitorbooths and in the online directory helps attendees quicklylocate these solutions on-site. To explore participatingexhibitors, click here.
Sustainability will be a key focus at theInnovation Stage, where 30-minute, exhibitor-led sessions will provide practicalinsights, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies related to the circular economy, energy efficiency,biodegradable materials, and advanced recycling technologies.
“Sustainability is a central focus for EXPO PACK México 2026 and a keypriority for the packaging and processing industry across Latin America,” saysCelia Navarrete, director, EXPO PACK. “Through the EXPO PACK Verde program andour on-floor educational opportunities, we are making it easier for attendeesto identify innovative solutions, connect with forward-thinking suppliers, andgain practical insights to advance their sustainability goals. Our aim is toprovide a platform where environmental responsibility and operationalperformance go hand in hand.”
PMMI’s Latest Sustainability Report
Fora deeper look into the forces driving industry transformation and shaping thefuture of packaging, explore PMMI’s latest sustainability report, 2025 The New Material World: Packaging’s Path TowardSustainability, which analyzes key sustainability trendsacross packaging and processing. The report notes:
· More than 80% of companies plan to increase theuse of recyclable packaging materials within the next five years, with 55%stating it is “extremely likely.”
· Recyclability remains the top sustainabilitypriority, directly influencing investment and innovation across the industry.
· By 2030, conveying, feeding, and handlingequipment is projected to reach $3.2 billion, while cartoning, multipacking,and case packing equipment will approach $2.8 billion.
These trends point to abroader shift toward integrated, automated, and sustainability-drivenmanufacturing environments.
Packaging’s path towardsustainability also depends on changes in materials. As a result, manycompanies plan to replace packaging materials in the next three to five years,led by shifts away from polystyrene (70%), foam materials (46%), and polyvinylchloride (38%). At the same time, 91% of study respondents expect recycledpaperboard with forestry certification to remain in use, reinforcing the essentialrole of fiber-based materials. These material shifts are accelerating demandfor new machinery, packaging formats, and processing technologies.
However, despite the interest in adopting sustainablepackaging, challenges remain, with 66% of companies citing higher productioncosts as a primary barrier, 33% reporting potential impacts on product quality,and 28% highlighting concerns related to product protection. Addressing thesechallenges will require innovation across materials, equipment, and productionprocesses.
“The data makes it clear that sustainability isdriving both investment and innovation across the industry,” says Navarrete. “Withmore than 80% of companies increasing their use of recyclable materials andsignificant growth projected for packaging equipment through 2030, the shifttoward more sustainable, automated production is already well underway.”
FromInsight to Implementation
For leaders driving investmentin production lines and manufacturing companies seeking to optimize theirproduction and packaging processes, EXPO PACK México 2026 will showcasetechnologies and solutions that enable a transition toward more sustainablepackaging systems at scale.
This truly international show willinclude pavilions from key manufacturing regions worldwide, feature moremachinery than ever before, and address needs related to sustainability, aswell as artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization, robotics, and workforcechallenges. More than 20,000 attendees from 40+ vertical industries, includingfood, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household products, areexpected to visit more than 700 exhibitors, occupying20,000+ net square meters of floor space.
Registrationfor EXPO PACK México 2026 is open at expopackmexico.com.mx. The registrationfee is MX$100 through April30, 2026, and then increases to MX$250.
Gatwiri Muthara
Sr. Manager, Public Relations
PMMI
571.485.8711
