Shanghai, November 25, 2025 – The Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) today hosts the opening of swop 2025, a major event in the global packaging industry. Co-organized by Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., the show signals a decade of progress and innovation by reaching its 10th anniversary. swop 2025 assembled over 950 global exhibitors and expects to see more than 40,000 trade visitors—packaging converters, equipment vendors, solution providers, and end-use manufacturers—from across China and the world.

This year’s theme highlights core packaging trends: artificial intelligence and digital packaging, sustainable and circular design, lightweight custom solutions, and smart automation. The exhibition’s scale reached new heights—over 70,000 square meters—representing every major segment: food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, bakery and confectionery, non-food consumer goods, and industrial packaging. International pavilions showcased the breadth of the industry, with major delegations from Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Turkey, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea.

Notably, the show consists of eight ‘Signature Packaging Routes’ designed to address 24 end-to-end packaging pain points for buyers, such as traceability, production accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. Solutions on display span from primary and secondary packaging machinery, labelling systems, container and cap production lines, marking and traceability solutions, and new flexible packaging laminates, to labelling, RFID, and digital printing capabilities. Attendees can observe operational demonstrations, especially with the debut of the "Scenario Smart Connect—Packaging Solutions Zone" dedicated to the latest in automation, global compliance, and smart supply chain integration.

Today’s opening ceremony announced a pivotal rebranding: swop will transition to “interpack China” from 2026, fortifying its integration into Messe Düsseldorf’s renowned interpack global alliance. According to Evian Gu, General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai), and Thomas Dohse, Director Interpack, this name change represents a strategic commitment to deeper international connectivity, increased exposure to global leading-edge solutions, and an expanded collaboration platform for technology and knowledge transfer. The new identity aims to serve as a central hub for technological advancement, compliance guidance, and international business development for the Asian packaging and labelling sector.

Concurrent forums further enrich the B2B agenda. The fifth annual SAVE FOOD Forum, organized with FAO China, UNIDO, and the World Packaging Organisation, gathered policymakers, brand owners, technology suppliers, and sustainability leaders to debate the next generation of packaging for reduced food waste and improved circularity. Specialist sessions focused on digitalization, green packaging, production intelligence, quality – and included matchmaking for supply chain partnerships and business development across borders.

Industry organizations backing swop 2025 include the Shanghai Packaging Technology Association, VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, the Korea Packaging Association, and over 100 associations from the plastics, printing, food, and cosmetics industries – confirming the exhibition’s unique role in business connection and market insight. The exhibition continues through November 27, promising unmatched opportunities for stakeholders in labelling, flexible packaging machinery, contract packaging, anti-counterfeit solutions, marking, RFID, packaging testing, printing, and smart automation. Vendors, solution integrators, and corporate packaging heads can survey the world’s latest innovations and directly engage with international peers to strategize for 2026 and beyond.

The transition to interpack China will inject global momentum into the Chinese and Asia-Pacific packaging ecosystem, enabling broader access to cutting-edge innovations and deepening resource sharing. Buyers and solution providers across food, beverage, pharma, and industrial markets are invited to explore not only sourcing opportunities but also joint ventures and cross-market collaborations that can accelerate packaging industry modernization and compliance on a global scale.