Barrier Breakthroughs Highlighted at TAPPICon® 2026

The pressure is on. Brand owners want recyclable, PFAS-free packaging. Regulators are tightening expectations. Customers demand performance equal to—or better than—plastic. And mills must deliver all of it efficiently and at scale.

At TAPPICon® 2026, April 26–29 in Columbus, Ohio, coating, printing, and surface enhancement professionals will find a program designed to move innovation from the lab to the production floor. With a new streamlined program format organized across 12 industry sectors, attendees can customize their experience and focus only on the technical content that directly impacts their operation.

For those advancing molded fiber packaging, one session stands out.

Innovations in Barrier Coating for Molded Fiber

This high-impact session goes beyond lab theory to focus on what works on the production floor. Through applied technologies and experimental studies, presenters demonstrate how:

  • Material selection influences barrier performance and recyclability
  • Coating formulation affects grease, moisture, and oxygen resistance
  • Forming conditions impact strength, uniformity, and runnability
  • Processing variables determine manufacturability and performance

The emphasis is clear: scalable solutions.

Attendees will see how bio-based materials, optimized coating and drying strategies, and structured evaluation methods can be integrated into practical manufacturing systems—delivering reliable, PFAS-free molded fiber packaging that meets performance and sustainability goals.

Other key sessions designed for coating professionals include:

  • Government Regulations Panel
  • Defect Panel
  • Advances in Barrier Coating Processes
  • Novel Materials for Barrier Coatings – Parts I & II

View the full program

Uniting the Industry. Powering the Future.
TAPPICon 2026 brings together 1,500+ forest products professionals and features a large exhibit floor with 100+ top suppliers showcasing the latest technologies, materials, and equipment. It’s where technical conversations continue, supplier partnerships are strengthened, and new solutions are discovered.

From structured networking events to informal peer discussions, you’ll connect with the experts and innovators shaping the future of sustainable packaging.

Register Now — Deadlines Are Approaching

  • Early Bird pricing ends April 1
  • Hotel room discounts end April 3

Secure your savings. Reserve your room. And position your operation at the forefront of barrier coating innovation.

At TAPPICon 2026, you won’t just learn about sustainable packaging—you’ll gain the insight and connections to lead it.

For more information about the program, speakers, and events visit tappicon.org.