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Packaging industry specialists will share insights into sustainability, recyclability, packaging design, food safety and production efficiency at Propak Cape 2026, where the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) will present a free-to-attend seminar programme alongside the exhibition.
The programme will explore trends, developments and challenges shaping the packaging industry, with sessions covering the circular economy, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), recycling, plastics and packaging innovation.
Propak Cape takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 27 to 29 October 2026.
Packaging design and sustainability in focus
The programme gets underway with IPSA national secretary Bill Marshall sharing highlights of the latest packaging design trends emerging from the 2026 Gold Pack Awards and Student Gold Pack Awards.
Sustainability and the circular economy will feature prominently. Edwin Botha, recyclability and life cycle assessment officer at Fibre Circle, will explore the gap between sustainability and recyclability in packaging design.
Masale Manoko, head of sustainability for Sub-Saharan Africa at Tetra Pak, will examine how collaboration, technology, infrastructure investment, community empowerment and consumer education can help grow South Africa's carton collection and recycling economy.
New recycling solutions will also be discussed, with Bobst's Manuel Cortizo presenting the company's One Barrier programme and Sascha Skora, senior sales director at Reifenhäuser Blown Film GmbH, presenting EVO GEN3 Packaging Films for a Circular Economy.
Extended Producer Responsibility on the agenda
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the circular economy will feature across the programme, with sessions examining stewardship, regulation, compliance and the future of South Africa's packaging industry.
Speakers include Dr Kishan Singh, Janine Osborne, Keith Anderson, Makgabo van Niekerk and Telly Chauke.
Food safety, plastics and production efficiency
The programme will also address practical industry challenges, including food safety and FSSC 22000 Version 7 updates with Antoinette Maake, ethylene management in fresh produce with Lianne Jones, glass recycling with Shabeer Jhetam, and the state of the plastics industry with Annabe Pretorius.
Additional sessions will examine static control on packaging production lines and technologies that can help protect profit margins and accelerate growth.
Propak Cape 2026: dates and registration
Propak Cape 2026 takes place from 27 to 29 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore packaging, food processing, plastics, printing and labelling solutions while connecting with technical specialists and industry experts.