Interzoo 2026 once again proved why it remains one of the most important dates in the international pet industry calendar. Held in Nuremberg from 12–15 May, the show brought together pet brands, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and innovators from across Europe and beyond, with packaging, sustainability and product performance high on the agenda. This year’s event welcomed approximately 2,400 exhibitors from roughly 70 countries across 15 exhibition halls, creating a busy and highly valuable few days for the global pet trade.

For Law Print & Packaging, Interzoo 2026 was another valuable opportunity to demonstrate our continued commitment to the pet care market. Having exhibited at Interzoo since 2008, our return to Nuremberg allowed the sales team to reconnect with long-standing contacts, build relationships with new and emerging brands, and present the latest developments across our flexible and rigid packaging solutions. This year, we exhibited from Stand 9-413b within the British Pavilion, supporting both our UK customers and our expanding EU customer base.

Law Print at Interzoo 2026

After four busy days on the show floor, our team returned with fresh insight, new conversations to follow up, and a clear sense of where the European pet market is heading next.

Our stand welcomed visitors from across the pet food, treat, supplement, grooming and wider pet care sectors. Conversations focused on the same key challenges we are hearing across the industry: how to improve recyclability, strengthen shelf appeal, protect product quality, support premium positioning and manage packaging complexity without compromising performance.

As ever, Interzoo was more than a trade show for us. It was a chance to listen. Face-to-face conversations remain one of the best ways to understand what pet brands are working towards, from established manufacturers looking to rationalise packaging ranges, to challenger brands seeking practical, scalable formats that support growth.

Flexible Packaging On Show

Flexible packaging remains at the heart of Law Print’s pet care offer, and it was one of the strongest areas of interest throughout the show.

Visitors were particularly interested in solutions for dry pet food, treats, functional snacks, supplements and wet pet food applications. Our flexible range includes high-performance printed films and laminates, stand-up pouches, flat bottom bags, quad seal bags and woven formats designed to support durability, barrier performance, shelf presence and consumer convenience.

A major focus was our recyclable flexible packaging offer, including mono-material PE/PE structures available across stand-up pouch, quad seal and flat bottom formats. These solutions are designed to help brands move towards easier-to-recycle packaging while retaining the strength, heat sealability and resealable features needed for demanding pet food applications.

Large-format flexible packaging was also a key discussion point. Our Totani large flat bottom and quad seal “Box Pouch” formats generated strong interest from brands looking for premium, stable, high-impact packs for larger weights. These formats are suitable for pet food, cat litter, horse feed and pet supplements, with pack sizes ranging from 6kg up to 12kg and closure options including single lip, Aplix®, slider and pocket zippers.

For brands seeking a more premium on-shelf presence, flat bottom bags continue to offer strong advantages. Their box-like shape, stable base and five graphic panels create excellent branding opportunities, while the format can help reduce material use compared with more traditional structures.

Rigid Packaging: A Growing Opportunity for Pet Care Brands

This year also gave us the opportunity to showcase the wider packaging possibilities now available through our expanded portfolio with SCGP.

Alongside our established flexible packaging expertise, visitors were interested in rigid packaging formats for pet grooming, hygiene and care products. Through our collaboration with SCGP, Law Print can now support additional rigid formats including plastic bottles, tubes and jars, with a wide range of cap and closure features. These formats are particularly well suited to pet grooming, hygiene and personal care-style applications where functionality, product protection and shelf presentation all need to work together.

This wider portfolio sparked valuable conversations with brands developing beyond traditional pet food. As the pet care category continues to expand into shampoos, balms, supplements, dental care, skin and coat products, and premium grooming ranges, the ability to offer both flexible and rigid packaging through one trusted partner is becoming increasingly important.

For Law Print, the benefit is simple: we can support customers across more of their packaging requirements, from flexible food and treat packs to rigid care and grooming formats, while helping maintain brand consistency, technical performance and supply chain efficiency.

Key Market Trends

Several clear themes emerged across the show floor, panel discussions and networking events.

1. Health, wellbeing and functional nutrition continue to grow

Pet health remains one of the strongest drivers in the European market. Interzoo’s own trend coverage highlighted the rise of products focused on preventive care, wellbeing, functional snacks, supplements, probiotics, postbiotics, vitamins and targeted nutrition.

For packaging, this means clarity and trust are more important than ever. Brands need packs that communicate health benefits quickly, protect sensitive ingredients effectively, and give consumers confidence at the point of purchase. For treats, supplements and functional products, resealability, portion control, easy opening and clear on-pack messaging are becoming core expectations rather than optional extras.

2. Sustainability is now built into the value chain

Sustainability was one of the most discussed topics at Interzoo 2026. The show’s official trend report described sustainability as no longer a niche product trend, but an issue affecting product development, production, sales and retail presentation across the pet industry.

This was reflected in the conversations at our stand. European pet brands are increasingly looking for packaging that can support recyclable material choices, reduced material use, clearer environmental claims and long-term regulatory readiness. The challenge is to balance sustainability with the barrier, durability and pack performance that pet food and pet care products require.

Law Print’s focus remains on helping customers make practical, technically sound transitions. That means considering the product first, then recommending the most appropriate packaging structure, format and feature set to support performance, sustainability and commercial goals.

3. Premiumisation is shaping packaging decisions

The humanisation of pets continues to influence product development across Europe. FEDIAF’s 2025 figures show 299 million pets in European households, 139 million pet-owning households and a European pet food market valued at €29.3 billion, reflecting a sector driven by quality, innovation and consumer trust.

As pet owners increasingly treat pets as family members, brands are investing in packaging that feels premium, considered and trustworthy. At Interzoo, this was visible across food, treats, accessories and care ranges. Strong print quality, tactile finishes, clean typography, structured packs and consistent branding across different pack sizes all played a role in helping products stand out.

For flexible packaging, this is where formats such as flat bottom bags, quad seal bags and high-quality pouches continue to perform well. For rigid packaging, premium bottles, jars and tubes can elevate grooming and care products while supporting convenience and brand recognition.

4. Alternative proteins and specialist diets are gaining momentum

Interzoo highlighted alternative protein sources as another key trend, including new animal-based and plant-based ingredients, insect proteins, vegan and vegetarian dog food options, and single-protein products designed to support pets with intolerances or allergies.

These products often require packaging that can do more than simply contain the product. It needs to protect freshness, manage aroma, maintain shelf life, and communicate specialist claims clearly and responsibly. As this category grows, technical packaging advice will become increasingly important, especially for brands scaling from niche product launches into broader retail distribution.

5. Convenience and functionality remain essential

Across both flexible and rigid formats, convenience was a consistent theme. Pet owners expect packaging to be easy to store, easy to open, easy to reseal and easy to use in daily routines.

For flexible packaging, that means zippers, Aplix® closures, tear notches, spouts, laser scoring and stable pouch structures. For rigid formats, it means dependable closures, controlled dispensing, comfortable handling and formats that fit naturally into the home.

This is particularly important as pet care becomes more specialised. Functional treats, supplements, grooming liquids, dental care products and hygiene ranges all need packaging that supports repeat use and helps make the consumer experience as simple as possible.

Networking, Sustainability and Industry Discussion

One of the highlights of Interzoo 2026 was the strength of the wider event programme. Beyond the exhibition halls, the show created valuable opportunities for networking, learning and discussion around the future of the pet industry.

Our team participated in networking and discussion-led events throughout the week, joining conversations around sustainability, packaging innovation, consumer expectations and responsible growth. Interzoo’s programme included dedicated meeting and networking opportunities, including the Pet Sustainability Coalition networking event on 12 May, Women in Petfood Leadership networking, exhibitor stand parties and the Interzoo Party.

The PSC Interzoo Networking Event also hosted the inaugural European Pet Sustainability Awards, recognising progress across areas including sustainable packaging innovation, ingredient innovation, climate action and collaboration.

Sustainability discussions were further supported by the first Interzoo Sustainability Conference, held on 11 May. The programme explored green pet parent behaviour, packaging and corporate responsibility, circular economy models, ethical sourcing and collaboration across the pet value chain.

For Law Print, these conversations reinforced something we have believed for a long time: progress happens through collaboration. Packaging suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, industry bodies and brand owners all have a role to play in creating packaging solutions that are commercially viable, technically effective and more responsible.

What We’re Taking Away from the Show

Interzoo 2026 confirmed that the European pet care market is full of energy, ambition and innovation.

The brands we spoke to are not looking for one-size-fits-all packaging. They want guidance, technical understanding and options that suit their products, customers and long-term strategy. Some are focused on recyclable flexible formats. Others are exploring premium rigid solutions for care and grooming. Many are looking for ways to simplify supply chains, improve consistency across ranges, and build packaging strategies that can evolve with regulation and consumer expectations.

For Law Print, the show reinforced the importance of offering a broad, practical and future-focused packaging portfolio. With flexible and rigid solutions now forming part of our wider offer, we are well placed to support pet brands across more categories, more formats and more stages of growth.

Looking Ahead

Now that the sales team has returned from Nuremberg, the follow-up conversations are already underway. Interzoo 2026 gave us the chance to reconnect, listen, share ideas and demonstrate how Law Print can support pet brands across the UK, Europe and beyond.

From recyclable flexible packaging and large-format pouch innovation to rigid containers for grooming and hygiene applications, our focus remains the same: helping brands protect their products, strengthen their shelf presence and make packaging decisions with confidence.

Thank you to everyone who visited us at Stand 9-413b in the British Pavilion. It was a pleasure to meet so many passionate, forward-thinking pet businesses, and we look forward to continuing the conversations started in Nuremberg.

If you would like to learn more about our flexible or rigid packaging solutions for the pet care market, get in touch with the Law Print team today.

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If you’d like to learn more about Law Print’s packaging solutions or discuss your next project, get in touch directly with our team here.

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