European corrugated board production runs at scale and shapes supplier priorities. In 2025 roughly 52 billion m² of corrugated board were produced and more than 40% is used for food packaging. That market context frames Fefco 2026 in Madrid as a concentrated showcase for manufacturers, conversion machinery and labeling solutions.
Dates and format for Fefco 2026 in Madrid
Fefco 2026 takes place from 27 to 29 May 2026 in Madrid. The event lists 320 exhibitors for this edition. Venue details are not provided in the event data.
Types of companies and sectors represented at Fefco 2026
Expect exhibitors focused on corrugated packaging manufacture, conversion machinery, printing and labeling equipment, and suppliers to the e-commerce packaging chain. Industry figures indicate more than 320 companies active in the sector across Europe and about 590 corrugating plants, reflecting a broad supply base for production and equipment buyers.
Key numbers relevant for commercial teams
- 320 exhibitors registered for the fair.
- European corrugated board output in 2025 estimated at 52 billion m².
- Corrugated packaging protects over 75% of European goods.
- 88% of corrugated packaging content comes from recycled material.
Those numbers underline two commercial priorities: scale of demand and the prominence of circularity as a procurement criterion.
Practical B2B prospecting tips for Fefco 2026
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Segment the exhibitor list by equipment type and application. Focus first on vendors whose machines and services match your product formats.
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Prepare technical one-pagers and use cases. Clear specifications on volumes, formats and sustainability requirements speed up technical screening.
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Book meetings in advance. With 320 exhibitors on the floor, pre-arranged 30-minute sessions for demos and technical checks save time and avoid ad-hoc misses.
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Set measurable contact goals. Track number of technical meetings, sample exchanges and quote requests to evaluate trade-show ROI.
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Prioritize live demos and material samples. In corrugated packaging, seeing machine performance and board samples often decides procurement discussions.
Sustainability and supply chain signals at Fefco 2026
The sector’s circularity credentials are significant. With an 88% recycled content rate and full recyclability of corrugated solutions, sustainability is a procurement filter. Buyers should request lifecycle assessments and fibre-traceability data when evaluating offers on the show floor.
Final thought and official link
For companies buying packaging machinery or specifying corrugated solutions for food and e-commerce, Fefco 2026 in Madrid concentrates relevant suppliers and technical displays. Prioritize a shortlist of exhibitors, bring technical dossiers and schedule demos before travel. Official details and registration are available on the event website https://www.fefco.org/.
Registration and tickets on the official website: registration.fefco.org
