On November 26, 2025, Shanghai welcomed thousands of packaging sector professionals for swop 2025, the tenth edition of the influential Shanghai World of Packaging exhibition. This milestone event not only celebrated a decade of facilitating industry growth and innovation, but also marked a strategic new chapter: in 2026, swop will be rebranded as ‘interpack China’, solidifying its position within the global interpack alliance. The announcement signals increased international collaboration and amplifies China's role within the global packaging machinery and solutions ecosystem.

swop 2025 focused on game-changing trends for packaging and labelling, priming Asia's businesses to adapt and thrive. Over 950 exhibitors and more than 40,000 trade visitors from China and around the world converged at the event to explore advancements in artificial intelligence, digital packaging, sustainable materials, and circular design approaches. The expo highlighted end-to-end solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food consumer goods, and industrial sectors, offering sector-specific insights through its eight themed exhibition routes.

Among the featured technologies, intelligent labelling, Marking, Tracking and RFID systems emerged as sector focal points – aligning Asian manufacturers with global compliance and traceability standards. The event also presented innovations in flexible packaging machinery, form-fill-seal machines, robotic packaging, materials testing solutions, and packaging converting equipment. offerings targeted Asian converters seeking enhanced production efficiency, automated data collection, real-time quality controls, and improved sustainability. Attendees gained actionable insights into regulatory changes, faster time-to-market, and the role of digitalisation in packaging supply chain resilience.

swop 2025 delivered a diverse programme of technical forums and matchmaking events. Panels addressed pain points ranging from material innovation and circular design in plastics packaging to business strategy for cross-border trade expansion. Global experts shared perspectives on carbon reduction, traceability, and standards harmonisation, connected to the evolving needs of Asian production hubs. The Save Food Design Award and the Sustainability Design Award focused attention on new packaging formats capable of supporting environmental goals and compliance mandates across the value chain.

Key institutional support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNIDO, World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, the Korea Packaging Association, and CCPIT Machinery Sub-Council reinforced swop’s global credentials. Industry associations representing food, cosmetics, plastics, printing, and industrial packaging were also actively involved—strengthening the ecosystem needed for B2B manufacturers, converters, and technology providers to compete on a global stage.

With the introduction of signature themed routes, attendees had access to targeted sourcing solutions from machinery and materials suppliers across primary and secondary packaging. These routes addressed 24 industry challenges, improving visibility and facilitating procurement for trade buyers and plant decision-makers. Exhibited solutions featured advanced measurement systems, anti-counterfeit marking, and hybrid packaging lines integrating digital printing and smart automation.

Looking forward, the rebranding of swop to ‘interpack China’ in 2026 will further internationalise Asia's packaging and labelling marketplace. The strengthened global network will integrate leading-edge technology, talent development, and compliance frameworks, creating opportunities for equipment vendors, plant integrators, and packaging component suppliers. The Shanghai show continues to drive demand for high-performance machinery, packaging materials, and integrated solutions required to address Asia’s rapidly expanding consumer markets and growing regulatory complexity.