1. Date & Location: May 7, 2026, United Kingdom (Smithers research)
Theme: Global inkjet printing and packaging coatings markets continue to expand
Details: According to Smithers' newly released report The Future of Inkjet Printing to 2031, the global graphic and packaging inkjet market is projected to reach USD 101.1 billion in 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. Meanwhile, another Smithers report indicates that the global packaging coatings market will approach USD 15.4 billion in 2026, with barrier coatings holding the largest share, while water-based coatings and vacuum deposition technologies are expected to be the fastest-growing segments. The report specifically highlights that regulations such as the EU PPWR and the Single-Use Plastics Directive are accelerating demand for recyclable and circular packaging solutions.
2. Date & Location: March 30, 2026, Brussels, Belgium (European Commission)
Theme: European Commission officially releases implementing guidelines for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Details: On March 30, 2026, the European Commission formally published the PPWR Implementing Guidelines and an FAQ document, aiming to harmonize enforcement standards across member states and help companies clarify compliance boundaries. The regulation will take effect on August 12, 2026, after which all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. Packaging companies must also pay attention to key deadlines, including the harmonized labeling requirement in 2028, the deposit return system for beverage packaging in 2029, and the design for recycling, recycled content mandates, and packaging bans in 2030. Compliance timelines are tight.
3. Date & Location: February 25, 2026, Shenzhen, China (YUTO Technology announcement)
Theme: YUTO Technology acquires controlling stake in Hungarian company Gelbert, accelerating global production capacity expansion
Details: On the evening of February 25, China's packaging industry leader YUTO Technology announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, YUTO Hong Kong, plans to invest EUR 6.5437 million (approximately RMB 53.482 million) to acquire a 60% stake in Hungarian printing and packaging company Gelbert Eco Print. The transaction includes an earn-out clause, with the final payment over the next two years tied to performance targets. The acquisition aims to establish a strategic foothold in Europe, combining YUTO's smart manufacturing capabilities with Gelbert's local resources to more efficiently meet the regional sourcing needs of international clients.
4. Date & Location: May 19, 2026, Purchase, New York, USA (International Paper headquarters location)
Theme: International Paper completes acquisition of Delmarva Corrugated Packaging
Details: Global paper and packaging giant International Paper announced in May that it had completed the acquisition of Delmarva Corrugated Packaging, a corrugated box plant based in Dover, Delaware, USA. The company stated that the move aims to strengthen its East Coast regional service capabilities and sustainable material supply. This acquisition contributed to International Paper's net sales of USD 5.97 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 13.4% year-over-year increase, with after-tax earnings from continuing operations of USD 76 million, a turnaround from a net loss of USD 124 million in the same period last year. Separately, Germany's Blue Cap AG signed an acquisition agreement on May 7, 2026, to acquire 100% of Janoschka AG, a provider of prepress solutions and packaging printing tools. Janoschka employs approximately 1,500 people across production sites in 12 countries and generated revenues of around EUR 90 million in 2025.
Other Recent Developments Worth Noting
Esko World 2026 will open on June 3, 2026, in New Orleans, USA. The three-day conference, themed "Jazz up your packaging," will cover key areas such as AI-driven packaging workflows, cloud collaboration, sustainability and compliance, and end-to-end packaging ecosystems.
PRINT DIGITAL CONVENTION 2026 will be held for the first time on June 16–17, 2026, at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany, focusing on the strategic convergence of print and digital media.
PRINTING United Expo 2026 is scheduled for September 23–25, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the USA, with over 800 exhibitors expected. It will feature the inaugural PRINTING AI Pavilion showcasing AI applications in the printing industry.
Smithers forecasts that the global digital printing market will reach USD 232.3 billion in 2026, historically surpassing a 21.6% share of the total printing market.
