Interpack 2026: Theegarten-Pactec to debut industry-first ‘double-lane’ system
Markus Rustler, managing director of Theegarten-Partec and president of the Interpack 2026 trade fair.
As the global packaging industry prepares for Interpack 2026, Theegarten-Pactec has revealed a high-tech line-up that aims to redefine speed and efficiency in the confectionery and food sectors.
Leading the charge is Markus Rustler, who serves a dual role as managing director of the Dresden-based firm and president of the Interpack 2026 trade fair.
A market first: double-lane continuous motion
The centerpiece of the company’s 2026 showcase will be an industry-first: a twin-lane continuous-motion solution for stock cubes. By combining the BHS and BLM machines, Theegarten-Pactec has developed a system capable of wrapping soup tablets in fold wrap before placing them into display cartons at unprecedented speeds.
“A twin-lane continuous-motion machine of this kind is something entirely new on the market,” said Markus Rustler. “For visitors interested in outstanding engineering, seeing the mechanical and electrical design of this system in operation with real product will be the highlight of the show.”
Combatting cost pressures with TCO
With global manufacturers facing intense margin pressure, Rustler addressed the “premium” positioning of Dresden-engineered machinery. He argued that while the initial capital expenditure for Theegarten-Pactec systems is higher, the total cost of ownership (TCO) offers a superior return through:
Footprint optimisation: delivering high output on the smallest possible factory floor space.
Minimal intervention: reducing the need for constant operator oversight.
Retrofit longevity: engineering machines for multi-decade service lives with the ability to adapt to new formats.
High-speed sustainability
A major hurdle in the “green transition” has been the drop in production speeds when switching from plastic films to recyclable paper or mono-materials. Theegarten-Pactec claims to have solved this bottleneck.
The company’s latest systems can process cellulose-based and mono-material films at the same high speeds previously reserved for conventional laminates. “Sustainability isn’t only about materials; it’s about the machines themselves,” Rustler noted, emphasising that the flexibility to change formats quickly prevents equipment from becoming obsolete as consumer trends shift.
Versatility in minutes
Flexibility remains a core theme for the 2026 showcase. The new FPC6 flow-wrapping system — featuring an entirely new machine design — will be demonstrated alongside the CHS modular wrapper.
The CHS, featured in a “smart bunch” configuration, highlights the company’s ability to switch between complex styles like double-twist or top-twist in a matter of minutes or hours, rather than days. This agility allows manufacturers to respond to last-minute retail orders without compromising on throughput.
The interpack presidency
As president of Interpack 2026, Rustler’s vision extends beyond his own booth. He characterises the upcoming event as a “defining milestone” for the industry, where the focus will shift from theoretical innovation to practical, “smarter” packaging solutions that are ready for immediate deployment in a volatile global economy.
