Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair Opens Its Doors for the 31st Edition
The Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair has officially opened its doors for the 31st time, bringing together a comprehensive range of products and solutions addressing the diverse needs of the industry, from packaging and printing and converting technologies to machinery solutions and food and beverage processing technologies. Welcoming industry professionals from Türkiye and across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, the fair provides an important platform for manufacturers, suppliers, investors and purchasing professionals to explore new business opportunities and establish valuable commercial connections.
One of the leading trade platforms for the packaging industry in the Eurasian region, the Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair is taking place from October 13–16, 2026, at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center. Organized by Reed Tuyap Fairs İnc. in cooperation with the Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) and with the support of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade, the fair is also supported by the Packaging Machinery Association (AMD), Label Manufacturers Association (ESD), Turkish Flexible Packaging Industry Association (FASD), Cardboard Packaging Manufacturers Association (KASAD), Corrugated Cardboard Manufacturers Association (OMÜD) and Rigid Plastic Packaging Manufacturers Association (SEPA). Spanning 120,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space across 14 halls, the event welcomes domestic and international companies and their representatives.
The opening ceremony was attended by RX Tüyap General Manager Berkan Öner; Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD) President Zeki Sarıbekir; Chairman of the High Advisory Council of the Turkish Machinery Federation (MAKFED), Adnan Dalgakıran; Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB), Vefa İbrahim Aracı; President of the Assembly of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI), Ender Yılmaz; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI), Erdal Bahçıvan; and Vice Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Çetin Tecdelioğlu, alongside representatives of industry associations and the business community.
Visitors Expected from More Than 130 Countries
Speaking at the opening ceremony, RX Tüyap General Manager Berkan Öner highlighted that Eurasia Packaging Istanbul is Europe's second-largest packaging industry fair and the largest and most influential annual packaging exhibition in the Eurasian region. He noted that this year's edition opened with the participation of more than 1,100 companies and company representatives from 35 countries.
Emphasizing the extensive digital and traditional promotional activities carried out throughout the year in domestic and international markets, Öner stated that these efforts continue to strengthen the fair's global recognition and reach.
"Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair plays a vital role as a trade platform connecting Türkiye's packaging industry with global markets. This year, we aim to welcome visitors from 135 countries, further expand our international reach and reinforce our position as one of the leading meeting points for the global packaging industry.
"Through our promotional activities across 40 countries, we have brought together an international VIP buyer delegation of approximately 200 professionals, particularly from the food, beverage, cosmetics, e-commerce, logistics and catering sectors. By facilitating one-to-one business meetings between these buyers and our exhibitors, we aim to create new commercial connections. We hope these B2B meetings will contribute to increasing our country's export volume," Öner said.
Istanbul to Become the World's Packaging Capital for Four Days
Addressing the opening ceremony, Zeki Sarıbekir, President of the Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD), emphasized the industry's collective efforts to reinforce the trust Türkiye's packaging sector has earned globally and build a stronger industry for future generations.
"What began more than 30 years ago as a modest gathering of 50 exhibitors across approximately 1,000 square meters has evolved into an international event that now brings packaging professionals from around the world to Istanbul. This transformation reflects both the manufacturing strength of Türkiye's packaging industry and the reputation it has established in global markets. Once again, Istanbul will become the world's packaging capital for four days," Sarıbekir said.
Sarıbekir reported that the industry's exports exceeded USD 3.8 billion in the first half of 2026, representing an increase of approximately 9% compared with the same period of the previous year. He also highlighted that the sector's trade surplus approached USD 1.6 billion, rising by nearly 13% and reaching its highest first-half level in the past seven years.
Referring to the industry's targets of reaching USD 50 billion in market size and USD 10 billion in exports by 2030, Sarıbekir stressed that increasing the share of high-value-added products would be just as crucial as expanding production capacity.
"Increasing the share of value-added products in our exports is essential to maintaining our industry's long-term competitiveness. We have the experience, engineering expertise and manufacturing infrastructure needed to achieve this. As competition intensifies in global markets, we can strengthen our position through design, technology and sustainable production.
"Our future growth lies in responding to evolving global demands with our own technologies and designs. This is where the next stage of development will take place, and I firmly believe Türkiye's packaging industry has the capability to make that transition," he added.
Adnan Dalgakıran, Chairman of the High Advisory Council of the Turkish Machinery Federation (MAKFED), underscored the critical role packaging plays in product branding and emphasized the need for Türkiye to adapt to changing conditions of global competition.
"Türkiye is no longer in a position to compete on the basis of low labor costs. We must therefore identify the factors that will define our next competitive advantages. The packaging industry has the potential to become one of Türkiye's key strengths, not only through technology but also through design.
"Packaging plays a major role in building product brands. However, to succeed, we must understand not only the sociological characteristics of our own society but also those of the countries to which we export.
"The only constant in the world is change itself. Even if Türkiye is not among the countries driving that change, we must demonstrate the ability to understand global transformation quickly and adapt to it effectively," Dalgakıran stated.
Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB), highlighted the export performance of the chemical and plastic packaging industries and their contribution to Türkiye's economy.
"Today, we are celebrating the opening of the 31st Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair, the largest and one of the most prestigious meeting points for Türkiye's packaging industry.
"Between January and September 2026, exports from our chemical industry reached USD 25.8 billion, an increase of approximately 7% compared with the same period last year. Our year-end target is USD 35 billion.
"The plastics industry, one of our most dynamic sectors, has made a significant contribution to this performance. During the first nine months of 2026, exports of plastic packaging increased by 12.6% year on year, reaching USD 3.2 billion.
"We know that these achievements are no coincidence. They are supported by a strong and well-established industry structure. I wish all our exhibitors a productive and commercially successful fair," Aracı said.
Ender Yılmaz, President of the Assembly of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI), emphasized the strategic importance of the packaging industry in supporting a wide range of manufacturing sectors and highlighted the growing need for sustainability- and efficiency-driven transformation.
"Packaging is an essential yet often overlooked part of our daily lives. It enables products to be protected, transported, stored and delivered safely to consumers.
"In this respect, packaging is more than a manufacturing sector. It is a strategic industry supporting a broad economic ecosystem, from food and healthcare to machinery, logistics and retail.
"Türkiye's packaging industry comprises more than 3,000 companies and provides employment for over 100,000 people. The annual value of the economic ecosystem generated by the sector is estimated to exceed USD 30 billion.
"However, the conditions of global competition are changing rapidly. Manufacturing alone is no longer enough. We must design better, produce more efficiently, use resources more intelligently and develop solutions with a lower environmental impact.
"Sustainability is no longer a matter of choice. It has become essential to the future of our industry," Yılmaz stated.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Erdal Bahçıvan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI), highlighted the significant contribution of the packaging industry to Türkiye's manufacturing and export performance, stressing that its development directly supports growth across other industrial sectors.
"Packaging is an integral part of our lives and makes a significant contribution to industrial development. As you improve your packaging, you enhance the quality of your products. As your products develop, you are encouraged to invest further in packaging.
"We are therefore looking at an interconnected structure in which each area supports the other and accelerates industrial growth.
"The packaging industry plays a major role in Türkiye's manufacturing, industrial development and exports. Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair serves an extremely valuable purpose by connecting our products, projects and innovative solutions with existing and potential buyers.
"Despite the challenges facing both Türkiye and the global economy, the enthusiasm, determination and optimism demonstrated by our industrialists at this fair reflect the resilience and manufacturing capabilities of our industry," Bahçıvan said.
During his speech, Bahçıvan also expressed special appreciation to Bülent Ünal, Chairman of the Board of Tüyap Fairs Group, acknowledging his long-standing vision and significant contributions to the development of Türkiye's exhibition industry, the strengthening of its industrial base and the expansion of international trade.
Türkiye Must Increase Its Share of the Global Packaging Market
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Çetin Tecdelioğlu, Vice Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), highlighted the export potential of Türkiye's packaging industry and emphasized the need to increase its global market share while accelerating investments in sustainable manufacturing.
"The successful organization of Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair for 31 years demonstrates the manufacturing and export strength of our industry.
"Last year, Türkiye's packaging industry generated USD 7.3 billion in exports, and this year we aim to exceed USD 8 billion. However, our share of the global packaging market, valued at approximately USD 380 billion, remains at around 2%. We must increase this figure.
"By investing more, expanding our production capacity and establishing stronger commercial relationships in new markets, we can strengthen the global presence of Turkish packaging products.
"At the same time, sustainability, next-generation packaging technologies and reducing carbon footprints remain among our industry's key priorities.
"Accelerating investments in waste management and energy transition will be essential for our companies to maintain their competitiveness in international markets.
"I hope this fair will pave the way for new partnerships, stronger export performance and continued growth across our industry," Tecdelioğlu stated.
The Entire Packaging Value Chain Under One Roof
Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair showcases a comprehensive range of innovative and sustainable solutions spanning the entire packaging value chain. From packaging products and machinery to food and beverage processing equipment, printing and converting technologies, beverage and liquid food production systems, and integrated manufacturing and logistics solutions, visitors can explore a broad spectrum of products and technologies under one roof.
Bringing together industry professionals from Türkiye and international markets, the fair serves as an important business platform for manufacturers, suppliers, investors and purchasing professionals seeking to establish new commercial relationships and explore potential business opportunities.
International Buyer Delegations Gather in Istanbul for B2B Meetings
The International Hosted Buyer Program at Eurasia Packaging Istanbul brings together purchasing and sourcing professionals from international markets with exhibiting companies.
Through B2B meetings with buyers from Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and other regions, the program aims to generate new business opportunities in packaging machinery, food processing technologies and related industry solutions.
The program enables professionals with specific purchasing requirements across selected product and technology categories to connect directly with relevant suppliers, facilitating targeted business discussions and potential commercial partnerships.
Next-Generation Solutions and Sustainability Take Center Stage
Growing demand for greater production efficiency, more effective resource utilization and sustainable manufacturing practices continues to accelerate technological transformation across the packaging industry. Eurasia Packaging Istanbul brings together solutions addressing these evolving industry priorities.
Visitors can explore the latest developments in packaging design and manufacturing technologies, alongside automation solutions, material optimization, resource efficiency, recyclable materials and applications supporting circular economy objectives.
Beyond discovering new products and suppliers, the fair offers industry professionals an opportunity to evaluate technologies that can optimize production processes, improve operational performance and enhance their competitiveness.
End-to-End Solutions at the Food-Tech Eurasia and Printpack & Converting Special Sections
Bringing together comprehensive solutions for the packaging industry, Eurasia Packaging Istanbul Fair provides industry professionals with an opportunity to explore a wide range of products and technologies covering every stage of production, from manufacturing processes to finished products.
The Food-Tech Eurasia Special Section offers a complementary technology platform for food and beverage manufacturers looking to explore solutions across different stages of production. These include processing and preparation technologies, production lines, filling systems and packaging solutions, all brought together under one roof.
Meanwhile, the Printpack & Converting Special Section showcases the latest solutions in packaging printing, labeling, corrugated cardboard, paper and cardboard packaging production, and converting technologies. From printing and lamination to cutting and coating, the section enables industry professionals to explore technologies designed to enhance production processes and operational efficiency.
Young Packaging Designers to Be Recognized
The National Packaging Design Student Competition, which plays an important role in identifying and encouraging young talent in packaging design across Türkiye, has been organized annually since 2004 by the Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association (ASD), in cooperation with Reed Tüyap Fairs INC., as part of Eurasia Packaging Istanbul.
The winners of the competition's 22nd edition will be announced at a reception held on the evening of the fair's opening day.
The Packaging Industry Ecosystem Comes Together in Istanbul
With a history spanning more than three decades, Eurasia Packaging Istanbul continues to unite different segments of the packaging industry around international trade and business development in 2026.
Open to visitors from October 13–16 at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center, the fair brings together a comprehensive industry ecosystem, ranging from packaging manufacturers and machinery suppliers to food processing technology providers and companies specializing in printing and converting solutions.