The first edition of UKPackaging Expo ran from 3rd – 4th September at Manchester Central, a landmark venue at the heart of a buzzing northern city. The event quickly established itself as a valuable hub for networking, education and sourcing, giving packaging suppliers and professionals a dedicated platform in the north of England – a region described by one visitor as “full of doers” whose forebears helped launch an industrial revolution that changed the world.
A diverse mix of top-tier exhibitors presented an inspiring array of packaging innovations and robust manufacturing solutions for industries ranging from FMCG and pharmaceuticals to automotive and aerospace. The show floor featured everything from industry giants such as Unilever, through to British manufacturing stalwarts including Facer, Protek and Record Packaging Systems, alongside newcomers such as N&E Innovations (ViKang), which was making its UK market debut.
Turnkey production-line machinery, adhesive applications, sustainable packing tape, pallet-stabilising solutions, cartons to prevent leakage, recycled plastics, roll bags and ecommerce-ready delivery packets were all on display. Meanwhile, organisations including Sheffield Hallam University, Innovate UK, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North of England Packaging Society, WWF, and expert sustainability consultants Beyondly and Aura Pioneering offered guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other urgent issues for the sector.
Exhibitor and Visitor Experience
Luke Wilson, owner of Facer, a company with 85 years of heritage, said he was impressed by the quality of engagement: “It’s been quality over quantity, and those conversations equalled what we’ve had at shows with much higher footfall. Some visitors came specifically to see us, and we met everyone from start-ups to established brands and even some major retailers. The location in the north really works, and it’s been great for networking. They’ve put on a good show.”
The Managing Director of Protek, Eamon Talbot, echoed the positive mood: “We’d taken a break from exhibiting for six years but saw this as the right opportunity. The Expo is close to home, within budget, and we’ve had enquiries from companies solving problems as well as those developing brand new products. For us it’s also about networking – many of our potential customers were exhibiting too. We provide one piece of the jigsaw, but here we’ve found partners to help customers build complete solutions.”
At Mark Forged, which showcased the world’s first composite and metal printer, Oscar Cutts reported good lead quality: “It’s worth it in my opinion. The Expo’s well organised, the venue works, and it’s cost-effective and efficient.”
For N&E Innovations (ViKang), the event marked a UK first with their cashew-based, industrially compostable clingfilm. Devi Krishna said: “We think this is the only product in the global market offering antimicrobial properties, tensile strength and cost competitiveness all in one. Some catering companies have stepped away from clingfilm because they couldn’t find a sustainable option – this could be a game changer. Networking here has been excellent, with buyers, manufacturers and potential partners showing real interest – even in non-food applications.”
Visitor feedback reinforced the sense of optimism. Adrian Robinson of Seidel GmbH commented: “It’s good to see someone disrupt the status quo. A lot of decisions are made in the south, but the doers are in the north. With so much industry in the north-west, it makes perfect sense to hold an exhibition here. Footfall may be lower than some shows – it’s the first year, after all – but what matters is the quality of discussion. There’s a reason companies like Unilever are here with a strong presence, and the next edition will be even stronger.”
The Sustainability Imperative
If one message stood out from the inaugural UKPackaging Expo, it was that sustainability and EPR compliance are now non-negotiable. The Content Theatre drew consistent crowds as exhibitors and visitors sought clarity on the complex and fast-evolving regulations and their cost implications.
Gillian Garside Wright, MD of Aura Pioneering, summed up the mood: “The UK is lagging behind Europe and the US on EPR, so businesses are understandably anxious. It’s about capturing data and knowing your obligations, which change depending on where products are sold. We have to update our advice constantly, as the requirements shift week by week. Digital passports on packaging are likely to come, though very small businesses don’t need to panic yet, as many will fall below the thresholds.”
She added that her team had met “a wide cross-section of visitors – retailers, brands, recyclers, manufacturers – and had some really valuable conversations.”
Looking Ahead
With a clear mission to champion practical innovation and foster meaningful business connections, UKPackaging Expo 2025 will continue to serve the real-world needs of packaging professionals across food and drink, beauty, manufacturing, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and beyond. Sustainability will remain at the heart of the show, with exhibitors encouraged to demonstrate genuine environmental credentials and technologies aligned with circular economy and net-zero goals.
At the close of the inaugural edition, Jordan Bamford, Managing Director of UKPackaging Expo, said: “We’re delighted with how the first show has gone and proud to have delivered a brand-new event for this sector in the north of England. It’s good to innovate and try something different, so we’re happy to be seen as a disruptor – bringing something new, inspiring, cost-efficient and straightforward. This is just the beginning.”
“I said from the start that our goal was for exhibitors and visitors to leave our event equipped with tangible, business-building knowledge and insight, having forged important new relationships and being inspired by the ground-breaking sustainable products and best-in-class turnkey solutions our industry has to offer. We are now looking forward to an even bigger and better showcase in November next year, when we will hold the event at our next northern powerhouse destination, the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool.”
Find out more
The next edition of UKPackaging Expo will take place on November 10th and 11th 2026, at the Exhibition Centre, located dockside at KingsDock, Liverpool.
For exhibition enquiries and visitor registration, visit www.ukpackagingexpo.co.uk
