Young Talents Day interpack: Your entry into the packaging industry

Bachelor's degree, master's degree or training in the packaging industry: discover your career opportunities at the interpack Young Talents Day

The interpack trade fair brings you together with companies working on the packaging solutions of tomorrow and shows you the paths available in this diverse industry. That's why the last day of interpack 2026 will be dedicated to "Young Talents" – everything here will focus on providing you with the right guidance for your studies or training in the packaging industry.

The day is therefore aimed specifically at young people who are looking for a suitable degree programme, training, internship, trainee programme or opportunities for a dual study programme. Whether you want to study packaging technology, train as a food technology assistant, or choose a completely different field, here you will find all the information you need directly from the industry.

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That's why interpack's Young Talents Day is a must-do

Discover exciting companies from a wide range of industries at interpack 2026

Meet HR managers from well-known international and regional companies

Gain in-depth insights into theoretical and practical approaches to starting your career

Get an open insight into the packaging industry

Receive ideas, inspiration and valuable contacts for your bachelor’s, master’s or training programme

Speak directly with HR managers and experts from the following fields: Packaging technology, Operations engineering, Packaging materials technology, Electrical engineering, Business management, Food technology, Machine and plant management

All information at a glance

Young Talents Events at a glance

Young Talents Tour (in German)

By Young People for Young People

Experience interpack from a new perspective: Melissa, Konstantin, Elias, Viktoria, Marvin and Tanaro are young talents who are making their mark in the packaging industry and showing what the future of the sector could look like.

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SPOTLIGHT Forum

Attracting the Next Generation

The interpack SPOTLIGHT Forum on 13 May 2026 will focus on young talents and fresh perspectives on career entry and recruiting. Look forward to honest insights, new contacts and exciting ideas from young professionals and companies.

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Science Slam

Science meets entertainment

At the SPOTLIGHT Science Slam, young researchers turn their work into an exciting, creative show full of energy and aha moments. Experience science up close, pick your favorite, and explore the world of packaging in a whole new way.

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Career Tour (in German)

Discover attractive apprenticeships

Are you still in school and looking for an apprenticeship? Then take part in the Career Tour and discover your career opportunities live at interpack. We will put you in touch with companies that offer apprenticeships.

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Women in Packaging

Voices of the Industry

Be there on 11 May 2026: The packaging industry offers many careers with a future for women. Women in Packaging is interpack's networking event specifically for women, featuring leadership, careers and community building.

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Start-Up Zone

Meet the Future of Packaging

Start-up Insights: In the Start-up Zone, you can see what drives young companies in the packaging industry. Network and get fresh inspiration on topics such as sustainability, smart packaging, digitalisation and efficient processes

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Technical professions with a future: How young talents found their way into the packaging industry

From the interpack MAGAZIN

Young people who are already pursuing their careers provide exciting insights into their degree programmes and apprenticeships.
You will learn how they decided what to study or which vocational training programme to pursue, which company they work for, what tasks they perform in their day-to-day work, what interests them about the packaging industry and what lessons they have already learned along the way.

NEW!

Experts & Pioneers

22.01.2026

Young. Curious. Future-ready: What the next generation thinks about the industry

Six interpack Young Talents, six perspectives: What excites the next generation about the packaging industry – and which change would they set in motion right away? A look at the ideas that could shape the future of packaging.

You have to pack up pretty much everything for shipping, and if you can be there live when new, more environmentally friendly packaging solutions are being developed, I don't want to miss out on that.

Elias Dillig - Electronics technician for industrial engineering - Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbH + Co. KG

My decision to start at Schubert came after I did a voluntary internship and saw a packaging machine for the first time. I was completely fascinated by the technology.

Melissa Becker - dual student of industrial engineering - Gerhard Schubert GmbH Verpackungsmaschinen

What fascinates me most about the packaging industry is its versatility. As a central component of global supply chains, it is relevant in almost all industries.

Viktoria Belschner - Dual student in International Business - Gerhard Schubert GmbH Verpackungsmaschinen

What fascinates me about the packaging industry is the challenging nature of packaging a wide variety of products efficiently and securely.

Marvin Erkelenz - Electrical engineer for industrial engineering - FAWEMA GmbH

As an automation engineer, I find the processes in the packaging industry fascinating because they require the implementation of numerous motion control systems.

Konstantin Kuhl - electrical engineer - Theegarten-Pactec GmbH & Co. KG

I am fascinated by the fact that packaging is the interface between product, people and the environment. It protects sensitive goods, enables quality and safety, and at the same time has a major impact on sustainability.

Tanaro Schädler - Innovation Engineer AI & Data - Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG

Your entry into the packaging industry: popular degree programmes and training courses

Whether in technology, design, or logistics – the packaging industry offers a wide range of degree programs, vocational trainings, and future-proof career paths.
It is international, system-relevant, and shaped by strong technological progress, creating secure jobs and exciting roles in which young people can take on significant responsibility.
If you are looking for an industry that is innovative, stable, and meaningful at the same time, you will find many suitable paths here.

Degree programmes for those interested in technology

If you love technology, want to understand systems or are enthusiastic about materials, processes and innovative solutions, you will find a particularly wide range of suitable degree programmes in the packaging industry.

Packaging technology

Packaging technology is the core engineering degree programme in the industry. Over six to seven semesters, you will learn about materials science, machine and plant engineering, design, sustainability, logistics and quality management. Many universities place great emphasis on laboratory work, practical projects and close cooperation with industry, so that you can gain practical experience early on and implement real packaging projects. Dual or practice-integrated study models are also widespread in this field.

Studying packaging technology opens up a wide range of career opportunities – from development and production to quality assurance, sustainability projects and supply chain management. Typical employers for young people studying packaging technology are Krones, Syntegon, and Multivac.

Process engineering

Process engineering gives you a deep understanding of industrial material and energy processes. Topics include thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, mechanical process engineering, material processing and process simulation. You will often work in development, production or automation departments at mechanical engineering companies or packaging manufacturers such as ATP Engineering & Packaging or Henkel.

Food Technology

This degree programme combines basic scientific principles with technology and quality management. You will learn everything about processing, hygiene, sensory analysis, shelf life, sustainable packaging concepts and production processes. One example of a company in this field is B&B Verpackungstechnik.

Career opportunities for creative minds

If you enjoy design, think visually or want to develop new products, the field of packaging design offers exciting prospects.

Packaging design

Packaging design is about combining creativity, function and sustainability. You will develop shapes, layouts, structures, prototypes and brand identities. The course covers materials science, CAD, prototyping, sustainable design and user experience. Employers include companies such as Color Service SRL or Anro.

Paths for all-round talents

If you are versatile, enjoy organising, understand technical contexts and can think economically, interdisciplinary study programmes are particularly well suited to you.

Industrial engineering

Industrial engineering combines technology, management and economics. You will learn about production systems, logistics, quality management, project management, automation, technical fundamentals, business administration and controlling. As an industrial engineer, you will work for packaging manufacturers such as G. Mondini S.p.A. or KHS.

Business management with a technical focus

A business degree with a focus on technology or sustainability prepares you for interface roles: project management, supply chain, product management or sustainability management. Content includes corporate management, circular economy, innovation, digitalisation and technical fundamentals. Employers include virtually all companies in the packaging industry – especially large, globally active groups with sustainability ambitions.

Training for doers

Training in the packaging industry is perfect for people who enjoy practical work, quickly grasp technical concepts, take on responsibility in a production environment and enjoy turning materials into finished products. For doers who appreciate dynamism, technology and further development, training in the packaging industry is one of the most attractive areas for starting a career.

Electronics technician for industrial engineering

Electronics technicians for industrial engineering ensure that modern packaging machines and production facilities function reliably. The training lasts 3.5 years and combines electrical engineering, automation, control programming and maintenance. You will learn about PLC systems, sensor technology, drive technology, troubleshooting and process optimisation, and you will work directly on machines a lot. Career opportunities for electronics technicians for industrial engineering exist in the areas of maintenance, servicing, automation, technical management and process safety. Typical training companies are mechanical engineering firms such as Syntegon and large packaging manufacturers such as ALPLA.

Media technologist for printing

Media technologists for printing combine technology with design. During your training, you will learn about printing processes, colour management, materials science, pre-press, machine control and quality control. You will prepare print data, set up machines and ensure that packaging designs are transferred perfectly onto cardboard, films or labels. Later on, you can specialise in packaging printing, pre-press, inks/varnishes, machine operation, production planning or quality management. Media technologists for printing typically work in packaging printing companies such as Edelmann or label manufacturers, film processors and print service providers in the packaging sector. Packaging technologist Packaging technologists develop, test and produce packaging made of paper, cardboard, plastic or composite materials. The three-year training programme combines materials science, machine operation, CAD basics, die cutting, adhesive technology, quality assurance and production planning. You will work closely with development, design and pre-press. You can work in production, development, technical planning and quality assurance, and later become a master craftsman, technician or move into packaging.

Packaging Technologist

Packaging technologists develop, test, and manufacture packaging made of paper, cardboard, plastic, or composite materials. The three-year training program combines materials science, machine operation, CAD fundamentals, die-cutting tools, adhesive technology, quality assurance, and production planning. You work closely with development, design, and prepress teams. You can work in production, development, technical planning, and quality assurance, and later advance to become a master craftsperson, a state-certified technician, or specialize further in the field of packaging.

Packaging Fun Facts

Bubble wrap was actually invented in 1957 as futuristic 3D wallpaper. After failing as a wall covering, it took off as protective padding and has been an indispensable part of packaging ever since.

Mycelium packaging ("Mushroom Packaging") is "grown" from mushroom threads and agricultural waste in just seven days – it is completely home-compostable and therefore a biological alternative to polystyrene.

The Coca-Cola contour bottle from 1915 was deliberately designed so that it could be recognised "in the dark or even broken" – a legendary briefing that made packaging design history.

Ooho – a completely edible water bubble made from algae membrane – was created in 2013 as a student project at Imperial College London. Today, marathon runners swallow the whole thing, contents and all, instead of throwing away cups.

The original patent specification for corrugated paper was filed by Albert Jones of New York on 19 December 1871. The material was originally used to pad fashionable top hats before conquering the world of cardboard packaging.

In 1879, printer Robert Gair's steel ruler slipped while scoring a paper bag. The cut showed that paperboard could be cut and folded in a single step – marking the birth of the pre-folded folding box, the precursor to all cardboard boxes.

In 1959, US engineer Ermal Fraze turned the pull tab into an art form out of sheer picnic necessity. In 1962, Iron City beer cans went into production with it, and by 1965, around 75% of all US breweries were using the pull-tab opening system.

When Tropicana replaced its iconic Tetra Pak packaging with a sleek glass design in 2009, sales plummeted by 20% within two months – prompting the company to hastily revert to the old look.

In 2016, the Florida microbrewery Saltwater Brewery launched the first edible beer six-pack rings made from spent barley and wheat. When they end up in the sea, they disintegrate or are simply eaten by fish.

FAQ

What entry-level opportunities are there in the packaging industry?

There are many ways to enter the packaging industry, including through vocational training or a (dual) degree program.

Why is the packaging industry a good career path?

It is international, innovative, sustainable, and systemically important—with secure jobs, modern technology, and many opportunities for development.

Which degree programs are particularly popular?

Degree programs such as packaging technology, food technology, and process engineering are in high demand.

What will I learn in the Packaging Technology program?

Materials science, machine and plant engineering, sustainability, logistics, quality management, and technical processes.

Which training courses are particularly in demand?

Electronics technician for industrial engineering, packaging technology technician, media technology technician for printing, and machine and plant operator.