(Reported by FoodTechX Editorial Center) | June 16-18, 2026, Shanghai New International Expo Centre
The 24th World Pharmaceutical Ingredients China Exhibition (CPHI China 2026) and the 19th World Pharmaceutical Machinery, Packaging Equipment and Materials China Exhibition (PMEC China 2026) successfully concluded on June 18 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. As an industry platform dedicated to serving the construction of modern food factories, FoodTechX (www.foodtechx.com) dispatched its editorial and technology selection team to participate throughout the event. With the core objective of "finding innovative packaging materials, high-quality functional food ingredients, and cutting-edge processing equipment for food companies," the team conducted in-depth visits to all exhibition halls, including those for natural products, pharmaceutical machinery and packaging equipment, bioengineering, laboratory instruments, formulations, and international brands, and conducted in-depth interviews with several key exhibitors.
I. Food Industry Upgrading Through Pharmaceutical Exhibitions – What Are We Focusing On?
This year's CPHI & PMEC China utilized over 250,000 square meters of exhibition space, bringing together more than 3,700 domestic and international exhibitors, covering thirteen core exhibition areas including APIs, natural products, pharmaceutical excipients, biotechnology, pharmaceutical machinery and packaging equipment, packaging and drug delivery systems, life science instruments, cleanroom and environmental protection, and pharmaceutical outsourcing services. The FoodTechX team went beyond the traditional food exhibition perspective, focusing on cross-industry technologies and materials solutions that can be migrated to modern food factories.
II. On-site Insights: Three New Trends Empowering the Food Industry
🔬 Trend 1: Jet Milling and Liposome Delivery Technology – A New Direction for Functional Food Processing Packaging
In the Natural Products and Bioengineering exhibition area, several companies showcased jet milling coupled with liposome nano-encapsulation technology, used to micronize and encapsulate easily oxidized and poorly absorbed functional ingredients such as curcumin, coenzyme Q10, plant polyphenols, and probiotics at the cell level.
This is significant for food factories:
• Improved bioavailability: Liposomes protect active ingredients from stomach acid degradation and promote intestinal absorption;
• Improved processing adaptability: The solubility and dispersibility of ultrafine powders are significantly improved, making them suitable for various product forms such as beverages, powders, and dairy products;
• Flavor masking: Effectively masks the bitterness or distinctive odors of functional ingredients.
FoodTechX has included this direction in its list of key process packaging equipment and raw materials. In the future, it will introduce integrated ultrafine grinding and liposome preparation units and matching wall materials that meet food GMP standards to help customers build high-value-added functional food production lines.
📦 Trend Two: The Promotion of Square Paper Drums in Raw Material Storage and Transportation Packaging – Reducing Logistics and Warehousing Costs
In the Packaging and Drug Delivery Systems exhibition area, square fiberboard drums with food-grade PE liners are gradually replacing traditional round iron drums and round plastic drums for the storage and transportation packaging of bulk raw materials (plant extracts, food additives, protein powder, etc.).
Compared to traditional round drums:
• Pallet loading capacity increases by approximately 20%~30%, significantly reducing space between containers and warehouses;
• The paper-based outer drum is recyclable and biodegradable, meeting the ESG and green low-carbon requirements of food companies;
• The sealed inner liner meets food contact standards, adapting to modern pre-processing procedures from unpacking to feeding to dust removal.
This seemingly minor packaging material upgrade actually provides a tangible tool for food companies to reduce costs and increase efficiency in their supply chains. FoodTechX will collaborate with compliant suppliers to list food contact certified square paper drum solutions on its platform for buyers to compare and select.
🏭 Trend Three: Pharmaceutical-Grade Hygiene Design and Modular Equipment – Raising Cleanliness Standards in Food Factories
At the PMEC exhibition hall, leading domestic equipment manufacturers showcased CIP/SIP in-situ cleaning and sterilization systems, hygienic homogenizers, aseptic filling modules, and modular extraction and concentration units. Their design concepts far surpass traditional food machinery – higher surface roughness control (Ra≤0.8μm), dead-angle-free pipeline design, and fully automated cleaning verification records.
With increasingly stringent requirements for microbial control in clean labeling, short-shelf-life fresh foods, and functional beverages, food factories are moving towards "quasi-pharmaceutical-grade" clean production. FoodTechX believes that introducing GMP-verified machinery and piping components is a crucial reference for the next stage of food processing equipment upgrades.
III. FoodTechX's Actions – Realizing Cross-Industry Innovation in Food Factories
Through this in-depth visit to CPHI China 2026, the FoodTechX team has identified a batch of high-quality raw materials (natural extracts, functional ingredients, encapsulation additives) that can be readily transferred to the food industry, processing and packaging equipment compatible with food standards, and cost-reducing packaging solutions.
We will continue to list screened, verified products and services suitable for food factories on the FoodTechX platform (https://www.foodtechx.com), covering:
• Food processing and sterilization equipment (F1)
• Filling and packaging equipment (F2/F3/F4)
• Water treatment and utilities equipment (F5/F6)
• Food ingredients and additives (F9)
• Accessories, consumables, and laboratory instruments (F7/F11)
This aims to help food companies "avoid pitfalls, benchmark more, and implement solutions quickly" when selecting equipment, improving the platform's user experience and decision-making efficiency.
FoodTechX—Helping to Build Modern Food Factories!
Compiled by: FoodTechX Editorial Center | June 18, 2026, Shanghai
Business Contact: Support@foodtechx.com