The packaging and processing sector, like so many industries, continues to adopt more automation technologies to overcome labor challenges while improving productivity and efficiency.

Many of these automation solutions could be seen at PACK EXPO International 2026, a large event for the packaging and processing sector, and are highlighted in our video above.  

Jorge Izquierdo, vice president, market development at PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies which hosts PACK EXPO, noted in a presentation at the show that the association’s 2026 Packaging State of the Industry report found automation remains a top priority area for the sector.

Implementation of automation helps to ensure consistency and safety are achieved and can be used for certain tasks to leave human operators available for other work that requires their skill.  

This automation could be seen at PACK EXPO in the form of robots used for pick and place tasks; Izquierdo noted that robots can now be found throughout packaging and processing lines because of the benefits they provide. Conveyor systems and fully automated machines capable of forming cardboard trays were other examples of automation that could be seen on the show floor.

And key to many of these automated systems and machines are motion control technologies which enable them to function as desired. Pneumatic and electronic technologies, and several solutions combining the two, could be seen throughout the event as well. These solutions allow the precise movement desired in many applications.

Watch our video above to see some of the latest motion control and automation solutions that were on display at PACK EXPO 2026 in action.

Technologies featured in the video include:

• Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow Conveyance System comprised of the company’s portfolio of VarioFlow technologies, including belts, flux chain and more to show how they can all be used together in a single cohesive system.
• Emerson High-Speed Pick-and-Place Demo which utilizes the company’s electric slide actuation technology paired with vacuum grippers to rapidly pick up and unload small LEDs.  
• Emerson Hybrid Motion Demo showcasing a pneumatic motion control setup, an all-electric option and one that includes both pneumatic and electric technologies working together in a single motion control solution.
• Emerson Precision Proportional Control demonstration offering an example of how pressure can be tightly controlled for back-and-forth movements of a pneumatic cylinder as well as moving a ping pong ball up and down at various heights.
• Festo IP69K Rated Components and Soft Gripper demo showing the company’s electric and pneumatic components, including its new soft gripper technology, in a washdown scenario which the components are able to withstand due to their IP69K ratings.
• igus 3D Printed Plastic for Motion Applications demonstration shows how the company is applying 3D printing capabilities to motion plastics such as those that can move aluminum cans without scratching them as this demo is intended to show.
• igus Robotic Solutions demo offers a look at how the company is helping ease adoption of robotics by providing customers with the various components they may need for their application as well as engineering help to get the robot setup and working as quickly as possible.
• Joyce/Dayton EDrive Electric Linear Actuator demonstration shows how the company’s electric actuator technology works.
• SOMIC Automated Packaging Machine which mostly utilizes electric technologies to automate the formation of boxes but in some cases pneumatics are used as well such as for some of the smaller movements or where cost may be a factor.
• Wexxar Bel IPAK FS100 Automatic Flange Sealer pairs servo motors with pneumatics to precisely place and then seal corrugated cardboard trays in a fast and efficient manner.

View the content below to learn more about these and other technologies displayed at PACK EXPO International 2026.