Innovation, design, and sustainability took center stage at the 2025 Paris Packaging Week, where the latest trends and technological advancements in the packaging industry were in the spotlight. With a brand-new venue and a more refined structure, the event welcomed visitors with an enhanced experience.
As per our tradition, we participated in the event to showcase our latest products, build valuable connections, and gain firsthand insights into the evolving industry landscape. But what new innovations did we encounter? What trends are shaping the future of packaging? And what key takeaways did we bring back? Read on to explore the highlights of Paris Packaging Week with us! We asked our most pressing questions to Ágnes Formeszter, Head of Regional Sales.
Paris is a city of luxury and grandeur. Did this reflect in this year’s Packaging Week?
The event moved to a larger venue this year, and I believe the main idea behind this decision was to attract a new wave of visitors. If the same exhibitors attend year after year, some may start wondering if it’s worth coming, thinking they’ve already seen everything in previous editions. Moving to a bigger hall allowed new exhibitors to join, and this year’s event was much more segmented, making the exhibition even more engaging for visitors.
What kind of segmentation did you notice?
There was a clear distinction between different sections. The beauty segment stood out, occupying about two-thirds of the exhibition space, showcasing packaging manufacturers catering to the cosmetics and beauty industry. Beyond that, there was a beverage section, an aerosol section, and, of course, a packaging and box manufacturing section where we exhibited. The overall execution of the event was truly high-end—the marketing was excellent, the communication was on point, and to answer your first question, the atmosphere undoubtedly exuded luxury.
Which products and innovations were in focus for us this year?
Similar to last year, Keskeny Printing focused on collapsible rigid boxes—our flat-packable premium boxes. Another major highlight was our 2024 innovation: our fully automated production of paper bags with Japanese bottom, alongside our standard-bottom bags. While we’ve been producing paper bags for a while, the demand for Japanese bottom bags has been growing, especially in the luxury sector. We invested in this development last year, making it the perfect time to showcase it at our booth.
As an exhibitor, how would you describe the event’s traffic, quality, and visitor composition?
Compared to last year, we had about half as many visitors at our booth, which was initially surprising. However, we received far more relevant inquiries than before. Although the overall footfall decreased, the quality of engagements significantly improved. I believe this was due to the way the organizers structured the exhibition. The layout was color-coded—each segment had a designated color, guiding visitors effectively. For example, the cosmetics section was marked in pink, with pink carpets and decorations reinforcing the theme. Our section, dedicated to box manufacturing, was assigned purple, and the design elements reflected this. This setup helped attendees navigate directly to the areas relevant to their interests, making interactions more purposeful. Those who visited our booth were specifically looking for boxes or secondary packaging, leading to more valuable discussions.
What packaging and industry trends do you see emerging this year and beyond?
Sustainability continues to be a dominant theme. The European Union recently published a report stating that packaging waste has increased four to five times over the past 15 years, with a significant portion coming from plastic bags, bottles, and other packaging materials. Following this report, the EU urged member states to implement changes in this direction. We see this trend clearly in the market—customers are actively seeking paper-based alternatives to traditional plastic and metal packaging solutions.
At Paris Packaging Week, Keskeny debuted the Keskeny Culture Collection paper bag line. Could you introduce this collection and share the visitor feedback?
We set up a display for the collection at our booth, and its vibrant colors made a strong visual impact. Many visitors stopped by to admire the designs – even those who didn’t step into the booth itself. This response proved that our marketing team’s vision was spot-on. The concept behind the collection was to connect the two key locations where Keskeny exhibits – Paris, Milan – with Budapest through art. The idea was to incorporate works by artists who lived and created in these cities and countries or whose art resonates with their essence. As a result, our four standard-bottom bags featured a line from Endre Ady’s poem Autumn in Paris alongside his portrait and the Eiffel Tower, and Ady’s At Milan Cathedral with an illustration of the Milan Cathedral, and Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka’s The Lonely Cedar paintings, and Miklós Radnóti’s In Your Arms, a love poem fitting both France and Italy. Thus, we ended up with one design focused on Paris, one on Milan, and another two with a more neutral historical and artistic context. Although Csontváry also created works in Italy, Radnóti’s love poem fits both France and Italy.
Additionally, we created a Japanese-bottom bag as a symbolic bridge, featuring the Eiffel Tower and Budapest’s Nyugati Railway Station (both designed by Gustave Eiffel) on one side and the Milan Cathedral alongside St. Stephen’s Basilica on the other. Two design students particularly loved this concept, and we gave them bags as a token of appreciation. Most visitors, however, were more intrigued by the construction of the bags—the Japanese and standard-bottom designs—and the fact that Keskeny manufactures them fully automatically, without manual intervention. The design, colors, and overall presentation attracted significant attention, bringing many people to our stand.
How do international events like this impact client relationships, both existing and potential?
Many of our existing clients were also exhibitors, particularly larger agencies. These exhibitions provide an excellent opportunity to catch up with them in a different setting. While they frequently visit us, the conversations here are different—we discuss market trends rather than just ongoing projects. These events are invaluable for gathering commercial insights. Additionally, we met numerous new potential clients. Some had seen us at previous editions but now had projects that made our solutions relevant to them. Others specifically sought out Keskeny Printing, already familiar with our reputation for ‘Nice Quality.’
Overall, how did you find the exhibition? Any plans for next year or the upcoming Milan event?
As I mentioned, the new layout had both advantages and drawbacks. Our booth was slightly more tucked away this year, so we’re already working on securing a more central location within our section for next year. One thing is certain—we’ll be back! As for our 2026 concept, that remains a surprise. We’ll start revealing exciting details closer to the event, so be sure to follow Keskeny Printing on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Who knows? We might even drop some exclusive sneak peeks along the way!