interpack 2026: Women in Packaging unites strong voices from all over the world

With an inspiring keynote from Tetra Pak to kick things off, a high-calibre panel discussion and interactive networking sessions, Women in Packaging is entering its next round at interpack 2026 – and is more powerful, connected and inspiring than ever before.

With “Women in Packaging”, interpack 2026 is once again sending a strong signal for female empowerment, diversity and the future of women’s careers in the industry. The format is aimed specifically at women of all career levels – from ambitious career starters to experienced experts, managers and founders. The focus is on inspiration, eye-level dialogue and specific impetus for the individual career path.

On 11 May 2026, participants can look forward to a programme at the Congress Center Düsseldorf that connects and sets things in motion: a keynote speech will provide strong content-related impetus, an international panel discussion will highlight different career paths and perspectives, and topic-driven networking rounds will create space for genuine exchange, new contacts and mutual support.

Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack, says: “Women in Packaging was still an exception when it premiered in 2023 – today, dialogue on these topics is an integral part of the industry. This exchange is becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of qualified personnel and future skills. interpack introduces a particular international dimension in this respect: participants from all over the world meet speakers from Europe, the USA, South America and Australia and combine different perspectives.”

Keynote: impetus for sustainability and diversity

This is the also the vision of Caroline Babendererde, Head of Sustainability Mid Europe at Tetra Pak®. With around 30 years of experience in environmental and sustainability management, including more than two decades in the packaging industry, she is one of the major proponents of sustainable packaging solutions in Europe. In addition to her professional activities, she is a guest lecturer on sustainable packaging and cross-discipline sustainability topics at universities. Her perspective demonstrates how closely linked topics such as sustainability, recruiting young talent and the visibility of career paths are. “Packaging is a crucial component of food safety,” says Caroline Babendererde. “We need to demonstrate much more clearly that it protects products, ensures quality and prevents food losses. In doing so, we will be making a direct contribution to security of supply and climate protection. We want to actively strengthen this awareness – among young people, career starters and, of course, not only among women, because those who recognise our industry’s responsibility and innovative strength also see its strong future opportunities.”

“When it comes to diversity, I hope that equity and diversity will soon be a matter of course. We are making progress, but we still have work to do, especially in the apprenticeship and education sector.”

Panel: perspectives on careers, change and the future of the industry

The panel will bring together representatives from industry, international organisations and science, thus uniting different perspectives on the development of the processing and packaging industry – shaped by participants’ personal experiences, international career paths and individual focuses.

Jill Evanko, CEO of Duravant, will provide insights from the viewpoint of a top manager who has led international industrial companies through transformation and growth.

Dr Kerstin van Wijk, Global Head of Innovation Packaging Adhesives at Henkel, represents industrial practice, combining technological innovation with concrete applications along the value chain.

Luciana Pellegrino, President of the World Packaging Organisation, has enjoyed an exemplary international career in the packaging industry. As the first woman to head the global industry association, she brings along many years of experience in global cooperation between organisations.

Prof. Dr Julia Hartmann from EBS University combines experience from research, consulting and supervisory bodies and will highlight how sustainable transformation can be strategically anchored in companies.

The panel will be moderated by Nerida Kelton, Vice President Sustainability & Save Food at the World Packaging Organisation and Executive Director, AIP: “The first Women in Packaging event at interpack 2023 showed us that events like this are desired by the global industry. What makes it so special are the open discussions, the networking, the opportunity to be inspired by women who have already travelled this path, and the occasion for participants to ask questions, discuss challenges and learn from one another. For me, it’s about meeting new people, hearing their stories and strengthening my own global network of inspiring women in the packaging industry that I can draw on in the future.”

Topic Hubs: exchange that makes connections

New at Women in Packaging are the “Topic Hubs”, topic-driven networking rounds on Career Pathways & Mentorship, Community Building & Peer Networks, Personal Branding & Visibility, Balancing Work & Life and Future Generation & Skills. They will be accompanied by Topic Ambassadors who will structure and deepen the dialogue.

Shannon Doherty-Andall, Chair of Sustainability Working Group, International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association, is representative of the interface between sustainability, regulation and industrial implementation. Dr Afsaneh Nabifar from BASF combines scientific expertise with international transformation work along the value chain.

Dr Kathrin Gimpel, CHRO at the renowned brand manufacturer Teekanne, will introduce the perspective of leadership, organisation and corporate culture.

Monica Battistella, Sustainability Manager at Taghleef Industries, contributes her experience in circular economy and regulatory topics as well as her work in international initiatives.

And Kaie Kaas-Ojavere, CEO and co-founder of the start-up KIUD, represents the topic of entrepreneurial innovation and new approaches in the field of circular packaging solutions.

The Topic Hubs create a practical framework in which experiences can be shared, challenges discussed and new contacts forged.

Event details

Date: Monday, 11 May 2026

• Time: 10:30 am

Location: Congress Centre Düsseldorf, 2nd Floor, Room 26, 27, 28

The programme will be hosted by Emily Whigham, journalist and presenter.

Free registration is now open via the following link, places are limited:

https://www.interpack.de/de/Anmeldung_zu_Women_in_Packaging

About interpack

Every three years, interpack gathers together the world’s processing & packaging sector in Düsseldorf for one week. Its focus: packaging solutions and packaging materials; packaging machines and the related process technology for the food, beverages, confectionery, baked goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. As an internationally leading trade fair, it draws experts from across the world to exchange ideas about the latest technologies and solutions and provides impetuses for the sector’s future topics. The next interpack will take place in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026. Around 2,800 exhibitors from around the world are expected.