Why the Packaging Industry Must Be at Mobile World Congress 2026 ?
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) is globally recognized as the leading event for connectivity, digital transformation and emerging technologies. At first glance, it may seem far from the packaging industry. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The future of packaging is being shaped by digital technology, and MWC has become a strategic meeting point to understand where the industry is heading.
The global packaging industry is currently valued at over USD 1 trillion per year, making it one of the largest and most strategic industrial sectors worldwide, driven by food, beauty, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce. With steady annual growth of around 3–4%, the market is expected to exceed USD 1.4 trillion within the next decade, fueled by smart packaging, digital traceability, AI-driven manufacturing and circular models such as refill. This massive transformation is precisely why Mobile World Congress has become a key strategic event for the packaging industry, as it showcases the technologies that are redefining how packaging is designed, produced, connected and experienced.
Packaging Is Becoming a Smart, Connected Interface
Packaging is no longer just a physical container. Today, it is a digital interface between brands and consumers. At MWC, the most advanced technologies for smart packaging take center stage:
Digital twins and real-time data systems
IoT and connected devices
NFC, RFID and smart labels
Sensors for traceability, freshness and authenticity
These technologies are transforming packaging into a data-generating, interactive and secure communication channel, redefining how brands interact with end users.
Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Packaging Development
AI is no longer experimental — it is already transforming the packaging value chain. At MWC, industry leaders present solutions that directly impact packaging.
AI-driven design for shape optimization, lightweighting and decoration
Smart manufacturing and predictive maintenance
Quality control and defect detection through computer vision
Consumer behavior analysis based on connected packaging data
AI enables faster development cycles, lower environmental impact and smarter decision-making across the entire lifecycle of packaging.
Sustainability, Digital Traceability and Compliance
Sustainability is now a regulatory, strategic and reputational priority for packaging. MWC showcases the digital backbone that makes sustainable packaging measurable and verifiable:
Digital Product Passports
Blockchain for material traceability
Carbon footprint monitoring in real time
Smart supply chain transparency
These technologies are essential to meet upcoming European regulations on recyclability, recycled content and extended producer responsibility.
Packaging as a Brand Experience Platform
At MWC, technology meets creativity. Packaging evolves into a brand experience platform through:
Augmented Reality (AR) connected to packaging
Interactive mobile-driven packaging experiences
Personalized content activated through smart codes
Enabling Refill, Circular and Digital Business Models
MWC is also where future business models are being built. For the packaging industry, this means:
Technology is the key enabler that allows sustainability to scale with profitability.
Smart refill systems connected to digital platforms
Circular economy models powered by data and traceability
Packaging-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions
Why MWC Matters for the Future of Packaging
Attending Mobile World Congress is not only about discovering technology — it is about strategic positioning. The packaging industry is moving from a materials-driven sector to a technology-driven ecosystem, where value is created through:
MWC is where this transformation becomes visible, tangible and actionable.