The PPMA Show 2026 (22–24 September, NEC Birmingham) brings one of its most diverse and technically advanced exhibitor line-ups to date.

From full packaging lines and nitrogen generation systems to colour-on-demand labelling, fluid management and optical sorting, this year’s event offers manufacturers a rare opportunity to see next-generation solutions operating live.

Epson: colour-on-demand labelling 

Epson will use stand A54 in Hall 5 to demonstrate how its ColorWorks range can transform labelling workflows through fully in-house, full-colour production. Visitors will be able to test the durability of printed labels, explore water and smudge resistance, and see how colour-on-demand printing eliminates the need for large stocks of pre-printed labels.

Epson’s team will show how manufacturers can respond instantly to SKU changes, regulatory updates and seasonal promotions while reducing waste and improving sustainability. Phil McMullin, head of sales for commercial & industrial printing at Epson UK, emphasises that businesses can “print exactly the labels they need, when they need them,” without compromising quality.

AM Labels: new colour printers, digital presses and automation systems

AM Labels marks its 30th anniversary with a wide-ranging showcase on stand A23. The company will present new colour label printers including the Epson D3800e, the Epson C8000, C4000 and 6000 series, and the OKI Pro1050 with white ink capability.

Visitors will also see the Afinia X350 roll-to-roll digital press and the Canon LX-D400, which makes its UK debut at PPMA. Alongside printing technology, AM Labels will demonstrate automation systems such as the LabelPack Panda print-and-apply unit and the LabelPack Label X JR applicator. The company will also advise on bespoke labelling software, in-house label production and outsourced label printing services.

Autopack Group: full packaging lines and a new weighing division

Autopack arrives at PPMA with its largest machinery display to date across stands A12 and B20. The company will introduce Autoweigh, its new weighing and inspection division, and run more than 25 machines live. Demonstrations include the Technosys A300 quad seal coffee packaging system with degassing valve, the A200 VFFS line paired with an Autoweigh linear weigher and Sesotec EX1 X-ray unit, and the AP500 auger-fed sack filling system for powders and granules.

Autopack will also show its AP400 valve sack packer, AP600 automatic sack placer, bulk bag discharger, MH25 premade pouch system for sports nutrition, and MH200 spouted pouch machine running recyclable pouches. A complete liquid line — from unscrambling and air rinsing to filling and capping — will also be in operation, alongside Van Rijn bucket filling and lidding systems.

Atlas Copco: nitrogen generation and process cooling for MAP

Atlas Copco’s stand B82 will centre on a new nitrogen generation skid system designed for modified atmosphere packaging. The system enables manufacturers to produce food-grade nitrogen on-site with purities between 99 and 99.9 percent, reducing reliance on cylinder deliveries and improving packaging consistency.

The company will also present the NGP 8+ generator, capable of reaching 99.999 per cent purity, and highlight its Variable Cycle Saver technology, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 40 percent. Complementing the nitrogen systems, Atlas Copco will showcase its TCX industrial chillers, process filtration solutions and oil-free compressed air technologies.

Watson-Marlow: advanced fluid management for hygienic processing

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions will highlight hygienic pumping technologies on stand G12. The Bredel CIP pump will demonstrate automatic shoe retraction for improved clean-in-place performance, while the MasoSine Certa Sine pump will show how gentle, low-shear handling benefits sensitive food and beverage products. Watson-Marlow’s peristaltic pumps will also be featured, offering precise dosing accuracy and sterile fluid transfer for applications where hygiene and repeatability are critical.

Beckhoff: cabinet-free automation and flexible motion technology

Visitors to Stand F40 will see demonstrations of technologies designed to help machine builders create more compact, flexible and easily adaptable machinery, while giving end users greater freedom to respond to changing production requirements.

A central focus will be the MX-System, Beckhoff’s modular approach to cabinet-free automation. The system brings functions including control, I/O and drive technology together on a robust IP65 baseplate, with power and data distributed through integrated busbars. Its plug-and-play construction can simplify machine installation and make systems easier to reconfigure when production requirements change.

Visitors will also be able to see Beckhoff’s expanding drive portfolio, including the compact AX1000 servo drives and new AF1000 variable frequency drives.

The stand will also feature a two-axis pick-and-place demonstration developed with UK linear motion specialist, HepcoMotion, alongside Beckhoff’s latest motion control, industrial PC, Linux-based control and compact vision technologies.

Visitors will be able to see the systems operating live and speak with the Beckhoff UK team about how the technologies could be applied to packaging, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and wider processing applications.