Herndon, Va.; August 6, 2026 — With sustainability now shaping equipment specifications, material selection, and operational decisions across packaging and processing, PACK EXPO International 2026 will give manufacturers a one-stop destination to compare sustainable packaging technologies, learn from experts, and find solutions that support measurable environmental and business goals. The need is clear: more than 82% of end users say they are actively engaged in sustainability adoption, according to 2026 The Ripple Effect: CPG Sustainability and the New OEM Spec Sheet, a new report from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

“Manufacturers have moved beyond asking whether sustainability matters; they are now determining which investments can deliver measurable environmental and operational results,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “That’s why PACK EXPO International 2026 gives them one place to compare technologies in operation, learn from experts, and identify practical solutions for their businesses.”

Taking place Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, PACK EXPO International 2026 will feature 2,600 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees from 40+ vertical markets. As the largest and most influential packaging and processing trade show in North America, the event gives attendees unmatched access to machinery, materials, automation, and sustainability-focused solutions in action.

Key sustainability-focused destinations and tools at PACK EXPO International 2026 include:

Innovation Stages — Three stages will feature fast-paced, 30-minute sessions fromled by top suppliers and technical experts, offering practical insights into the latest advances in packaging machinery, materials, automation, digital tools, and real-world applications. Sustainability-focused sessions include:

• Sustainable Load Stability: Reducing Plastic Without Sacrificing Performance
• Packaging Sustainability Myth Busters: Beliefs that Brands Still Get Wrong
• Navigating EPR: Source Reduction Strategies and the Levers Brand Owners Can Pull in Flexible Packaging
• Flexible Packaging That WOWs Consumers: Material That Excites, Surprises, and Delights

Sustainability Central — Presented by Packaging World and sponsored by EFP, LLC, this dedicated education hub will feature expert-led presentations, case studies, and trends shaping sustainable packaging. Attendees will learn how material choices, system design, and operational changes can reduce environmental impact while supporting business goals.

Thought leaders and innovators will share strategies to help attendees improve recyclability, advance circularity, reduce environmental impact, and stay ahead of customer and regulatory demands. Sessions include:

• Design for Recyclability is Required by Law. Are You Ready?
• Advancing the Circular Economy: How Collaboration Delivers Value
• Protect the Product, Reduce the Footprint
• 2026: The Year EPR Stopped Being Optional

Reusable Packaging Learning Center, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) — This educational stage gives attendees a practical look at how reusable packaging systems are being implemented across supply chains. Session topics include the State of the Industry 2026, technology AI & leveraging Data, public policy and retail automation.

Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) — Here, show attendees can explore reusable packaging systems from members of RPA and uncover solutions designed to reduce waste, improve durability, streamline logistics, and deliver measurable supply chain cost savings.

Sustainability Solutions Finder — This online tool helps attendees locate vetted PACK EXPO Green Exhibitors that offer eco-friendly materials, components, machinery, and services. Attendees can search by sustainability attribute, package type, or solution category.

Showcase of Packaging Innovations®, sponsored by Smurfit Westrock —This special show-floor display features award-winning packaging designs from around the world, including formats that push the boundaries of sustainability, recyclability, and material efficiency.

In addition, Dow is the official sustainability partner and sponsor of show-floor recycling. Dual-stream recycling and trash bins will be placed throughout every exhibit hall.

“Achieving sustainability goals requires more than a single material or technology; it takes a systems-level approach,” Pittas says. “PACK EXPO International gives manufacturers the opportunity to see how packaging design, equipment, reusable systems, and operational improvements can work together to reduce environmental impact while strengthening performance and long-term competitiveness.”

No other event delivers hands-on experience on this scale — with more technology, machines in motion, suppliers on-site, and access to expertise than anywhere else. PACK EXPO International is the industry’s most efficient platform to evaluate equipment, identify emerging trends, and make informed investment decisions — all in one place.

Learn more about sustainable packaging and processing solutions at PACK EXPO International 2026 and register today at www.packexpointernational.com.

August 5, 2026 – WECO introduces the Multiscan MXV-Bulk X-ray inspection system for in-shell nut applications. The system analyzes density differences inside each nut to identify hidden quality defects and insufficient kernel fill, as well as dense foreign material (FM). By removing these from the product stream, the MXV-Bulk helps processors achieve higher product grades, increase per-pound value and reduce the need for manual inspection.

“Nut processors have traditionally relied on optical inspection methods that cannot tell them what is happening inside the shell. While X-ray is broadly used in food processing, this is the first system of its kind to evaluate the internal quality of in-shell nuts in North America,” said Nick Lightfoot, Vice President at WECO. “With the MXV-Bulk, we’ve seen customers nearly eliminate the need for end-of-line manual inspection while raising their average product grade several points. When processors are selling on kernel yield, that combination can produce a meaningful improvement to the bottom line.”

Ideal for inspecting pecans, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and other nuts, the MXV-Bulk identifies and rejects a wide variety of product defects that show no obvious external signs including empty shells, insect damage and internal mold. It also removes FM including stones, glass, ceramics and embedded metal.

Nuts enter the system on a belt designed to stabilize and distribute product evenly for consistent scanning. The MXV-Bulk captures and analyzes images of each object as it passes through the inspection zone. When it identifies out-of-tolerance product or FM, it signals the air valves to eject the unwanted material.

MXV-Bulk complements optical sorting, aspiration and other separation methods on the line. Optical sorters identify external characteristics such as color, size, shape and surface condition, while aspiration separates material based primarily on weight and aerodynamic properties. X-ray inspection adds information about internal density, helping processors build a more complete quality-control strategy.

Designed for straightforward operation, the MXV-Bulk does not require a highly specialized operator to maintain consistent results. Operators set the density threshold directly on the touchscreen, defining the tolerance that determines how fully a nut must be filled to be accepted. The system can also evaluate fill within specific areas of each nut, allowing inspection to be configured for differences among varieties and quality targets.

MXV-Bulk was developed through close collaboration between WECO and Multiscan Technologies, both Duravant operating companies, by combining Multiscan’s X-ray technology with WECO’s nut-processing expertise. WECO leads Multiscan’s commercial and support activities in the Americas, while Multiscan serves as WECO’s lead in the EMIA region and beyond.

MXV-Bulk is available for sale worldwide and for lease in the United States, Mexico and Canada. WECO supports processors with installation and startup services, preventive maintenance, technology upgrades and 24/7 emergency assistance to help sustain inspection performance and production uptime throughout the life of the equipment.

Nineteen engineering talents from ten countries have completed Sidel's Nextgen Innovation Lab, spending three weeks exploring real-world challenges in packaging, sustainability and automation.

Held at Sidel’s Octeville-sur-Mer site in the north of France, the programme brought together university students to collaborate with Sidel experts on real industrial challenges, including: sustainable operations and packaging, digital technologies and industrial AI, robotics and human-machine collaboration, computer vision and AI-based inspection for quality and mechatronics and intelligent machine control.

Designed to strengthen connections between academia and industry while inspiring the next generation of engineering talent, the three-week programme combined technical workshops, site visits, customer engagement and hands-on project work. The group of 19 worked in teams to develop proof of concepts, prototypes and business cases, before presenting their final results to a panel of senior Sidel leaders and technical experts.

The programme ended in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievements across five categories, including Best Overall Innovation, Most Customer-Centric Solution, Most Disruptive Concept, Most Inspiring Speech and Most Ready-to-Apply Solution.

“Innovation happens when different perspectives come together. The Nextgen Innovation Lab created a unique environment where young engineers could collaborate with Sidel experts, challenge existing thinking and develop solutions to real industrial challenges,” said Ko Hoepman, Executive Vice President of Equipment, Innovation and Portfolio at Sidel. “Throughout the programme, participants demonstrated impressive creativity, technical expertise and collaboration, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that made this an inspiring experience for everyone involved.”

“I didn’t realisethere was so much innovation and such a wide range of expertise behind the manufacturing of the products I use every day, and that's been a very pleasant surprise,” one of the young engineers commented. "My first impression of Sidel was very good. It's clearly a company that values its talent, from engineers to operators.”

"It's refreshing to work on real industrial challenges while having direct access to experts who are so open to sharing their knowledge,” another added.

The Nextgen Innovation Lab forms part of Sidel's wider commitment to developing future engineering talent, strengthening relationships with leading universities across Europe and encouraging fresh thinking to help shape the future of sustainable, packaging solutions. This positive experience has already had a lasting impact, with several participants expressing an interest in continuing their journey with Sidel.

For more information on the Nextgen Innovation Lab, visit the Sidel website.

July 28, 2026 – Today, the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) announced that Chris Davison has informed the board of his decision to step down as president & CEO, effective December 31, 2026.

Davison joined the CCC in the summer of 2021 as vice-president, stakeholder and industry relations and was appointed president & CEO in July 2023. In his role, he has led through a period of significant change for Canada’s canola industry, including trade challenges and uncertainty in its two largest markets. Davison also oversaw the refresh of the CCC’s strategic framework and organizational restructure and advanced several important market access, market development and policy priorities.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Chris for his leadership and dedication to the CCC and Canada’s canola industry,” says Kevin Wright, chair of the CCC’s board of directors and general manager of the Great Lakes Region with ADM. “The board is grateful for his contributions on several fronts, including guiding the organization through complex market and trade challenges and positioning it for the future. We wish him continued success.”

“It is an honour and a privilege to serve the Canadian canola industry in this capacity,” says Davison. “I am extremely proud of what the CCC team has accomplished on behalf of our members and the broader industry during a period of unprecedented change and volatility. There are also very good reasons for optimism moving forward, including major investments in domestic processing and export infrastructure, growing opportunities for canola in biofuel production and energy security, and record production in 2025.”

The board of directors will begin the process of identifying the CCC’s next president & CEO immediately.

The Canola Council of Canada thanks Chris Davison for his service, leadership and commitment to Canada’s canola industry.

The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. The CCC’s mission is to facilitate market access and strategic development and enable industry innovation to grow the value and profitability of Canadian canola. For more information, visit canolacouncil.org.