Packaging and automation shape Hort Connections

HORT Connections 2026 showcased an industry balancing sustainability ambitions with the practical realities of productivity, labour availability and operational efficiency, with packaging innovation and automation solutions featuring strongly across the Adelaide show floor.

The Abbe team made a strong showing with a stand made by the company.

Held from 2–4 June, the annual gathering of Australia's horticulture sector attracted growers, packers, suppliers and technology providers from across the country. While the event's focus extends well beyond packaging, a walk through the exhibition halls revealed a sector actively exploring new materials, improved recyclability, smarter product identification and greater automation.

Among the packaging developments on display, fibre-based formats continued to gain momentum. Detpak showcased a range of paper-based solutions, including flow wrap, top-seal punnet formats and paper rewind options for vertical form fill seal applications. The company also highlighted fresh produce packaging designed to reduce plastic use while maintaining shelf appeal and functionality. Visitor interest centred on solutions that could balance sustainability goals with shelf-life requirements and kerbside recyclability.

Detpak's Christian Bell shows off the paper-based flowwrap packaging.

Detpak hinge-lid punnet for Perfection Fresh.

One of the more notable developments was a paper-based hinge-lid punnet developed for Perfection Fresh Australia, while Detpak's sustainable flow-wrap concepts demonstrated how paper and alternative window materials are continuing to evolve for fresh produce applications.

"There was strong recognition that Detpak is delivering packaging that can reduce plastic use, maintain kerbside recyclability, support shelf life, and create on-shelf differentiation," said Mark Rohrlach, regional manager – Australasia at Detpak.

The company said the show exceeded expectations, generating a strong pipeline of opportunities and confirming growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions within the fresh produce sector.

Opal Packaging was out in colourful force, with its team sitting down with growers, customers and industry partners to understand what they need from packaging. Opal says the demand for practical, fit-for-purpose solutions is growing, sustainability expectations are rising and local manufacturing capability matters more than ever. Among the solutions on display by Opal was its kerbside recyclable paper-based punnet with a purpose-built de-nester engineered specifically for cardboard. The result is a commercially viable system now operating at scale for a major berry producer.

Opal in action at HORT.

Mono-material HDPE onion bag solution from Propak Industries

Recyclability also featured prominently on the ProPak Industries stand, where the company highlighted its collaboration with Mitolo Family Farms on a mono-material onion bag manufactured entirely from HDPE. The solution eliminates the traditional copper clip, which can complicate recycling processes, and is produced using customised REV Puma thermo-sealing equipment supplied by ProPak.

Flexible packaging remained an important category for produce marketers seeking greater shelf impact. Filton Packaging showcased a range of flow wrap, bagging and sleeve solutions, with visitors responding strongly to the company's latest print capabilities enabled by Esko Quartz plate technology. A potato pack featuring high-quality graphics attracted particular attention as growers continue to explore packaging as a point of differentiation in increasingly competitive retail environments.

Filton Packaging CEO and co-founder Ryan Worthington said visitors were particularly interested in the quality of the company's print output and new Quartz plate technology.

Filton co-founder Ryan Worthington with a potato bag printed on the company's new Bobst press.

"We saw strong engagement across the event, with plenty of meaningful conversations with both existing customers and new prospects," Worthington said.

Elsewhere, Visy displayed several fibre-based transport and protective packaging solutions, including Paper Bubble Wrap for fruit tray cushioning and moisture management, alongside Visycell insulated shipping systems being used as alternatives to expanded polystyrene shippers.

Visy paper bubble wrap.

Product identification and traceability also remained on the agenda. Result Group showcased its involvement in the 'Sweet As' campaign with Australian Sweetpotato Growers Inc, which uses natural branding technology to apply promotional messages directly onto sweet potato skins.

Meanwhile, GS1 Australia continued its industry education efforts around the transition to 2D barcodes ahead of the Sunrise 2027 initiative.

GS1 2D: One scan, limitless possibilities.

Alongside packaging innovation, automation emerged as a dominant conversation throughout the event.

Equipment suppliers reported strong interest from growers and packers seeking solutions to improve throughput, reduce labour dependence and improve operational consistency.

The Intralox team fielded many enquiries for the Series 4500 DARB Sorter conveyor.

Intralox attracted significant attention with its Series 4500 DARB Sorter conveyor, designed to transfer cartons and crates efficiently within high-throughput packing operations. According to the company, increasing labour costs and the need for higher production volumes are driving greater interest in automated handling systems.

"The interest in our technology was significant as we see an increasing trend to increase automation to manage higher throughputs and manage labour costs," said Robert Ireland, business development analyst – food business unit at Intralox Australia and New Zealand.

Select Equip reported similar conversations around productivity, with visitors showing strong interest in weighing technology capable of reducing product giveaway and improving packing accuracy. The company said many businesses attending the show were exploring automation for the first time, reflecting broader industry efforts to improve efficiency without major increases in labour requirements.

Select Equip team with customer in front of the High Dream multihead weigher; l-r: Tomer Pinhasi; Doriana Mangili from the Sweeter Banana Co-operative; Shame Lamour and James White.

Select Equip showcased the latest High Dream 4.0G Multihead Weigher, a versatile weighing solution used across a wide range of food industries. Given the fresh produce focus of the event, the company demonstrated how the technology can help growers and packers improve weighing accuracy, reduce giveaway and increase packing efficiency.

"The conversations reinforced the growing focus on productivity, labour efficiency and consistency across the fresh produce sector," said Kellie Emmett, marketing lead at Select Equip.

Toyota Materials Handling at Hort Connections.

The productivity focus extended beyond packing and inspection technologies. Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) showcased a 1.8-tonne Toyota forklift and 1.6-tonne Toyota electric pallet jack, with the company reporting strong interest from visitors. According to TMHA, the models remain widely used across Australia's fruit and vegetable sector, while the event provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with growers and packers across the industry.

A&D Weighing also reported a strong show, using Hort Connections to showcase its product inspection systems and engage with customers on emerging compliance and quality assurance issues. The company noted particular interest in discussions around e-weights and AQS, reflecting the sector's continued focus on accuracy, compliance and operational performance.

A&D Weighing's Julian Horsley with APPMA's Denni Egan.

The common thread running through many exhibitor discussions was that sustainability and productivity are no longer separate conversations. Whether through recyclable packaging formats, fibre-based alternatives, improved traceability, smarter handling systems or weighing automation, suppliers are increasingly being asked to deliver solutions that support both environmental and commercial outcomes.

For packaging professionals, Hort Connections offered a useful reminder that fresh produce remains one of the most dynamic categories for packaging innovation, where shelf life, presentation, recyclability, labour efficiency and cost pressures must all be balanced in a highly competitive market.

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