Voting is now open for the Packaging Machine of the Year category at the International Confectionery Awards 2026, giving readers the opportunity to recognise outstanding confectionery packaging machinery demonstrating innovation, efficiency and technical excellence.
The award celebrates the engineering expertise behind modern confectionery packaging, recognising manufacturers developing advanced technologies that improve packaging speed, precision, flexibility and operational performance across the global confectionery industry.
Recognising Confectionery Packaging Machinery Innovation
This year’s shortlist brings together four finalists representing different areas of confectionery packaging innovation, from high-speed flow wrapping and automated product feeding to advanced chocolate bar wrapping and flexible packaging systems.
The finalists for Packaging Machine of the Year 2026 are:
FPC6 – Developed by Theegarten-Pactec, this high-performance flow wrapper delivers speeds of up to 1,500 products per minute while accommodating paper-based packaging and recyclable mono-material films. Featuring tool-free sealing system changeovers, automated recipe management and Flying Splice technology for uninterrupted film-roll changes, the machine helps confectionery manufacturers improve flexibility, minimise downtime and maintain consistent packaging quality.
FT-iFLEX Flow Wrapper – Developed by Bradman Lake, this next-generation horizontal flow wrapper incorporates Rockwell Automation’s iTRAK intelligent track technology to deliver precise, zero-pressure product positioning and variable-pitch feeding. Featuring automatic size changes, tool-less format changeovers and compatibility with recyclable films, the machine supports flexible confectionery packaging while improving operational efficiency, reducing downtime and accommodating multiple product formats.
LTS-DUO – Developed by LoeschPack, this high-performance, two-stage fold-wrapping machine packages up to 275 chocolate bars per minute. Incorporating decentralised servo technology, the system enables format changeovers up to 50% faster while accommodating different packaging materials, including paper, aluminium, film and cardboard. Integrated 3D product inspection and predictive maintenance features further improve packaging accuracy, reliability and machine availability.
SMART Line – Developed by IMA Eurosicma, this intelligent dynamic feeding system automates the handling, alignment and distribution of confectionery products to single or multiple wrapping machines. Capable of processing up to 120 rows per minute in multi-station configurations, the system incorporates dynamic buffering, real-time synchronisation and automated product re-feeding to maintain continuous production, reduce interruptions and improve packaging line efficiency.
Together, the finalists highlight the diversity of packaging machinery development across the confectionery industry and the different approaches manufacturers are taking to improve automation, product protection, sustainability and operational flexibility.
Joseph Clarke, Senior Editor of International Confectionery, said: “The quality and diversity of nominations we have received this year highlight the creativity, innovation and expertise driving the global confectionery industry forward.
“Now it is over to our readers to decide who deserves to win from our finalists. These awards provide an opportunity for the industry to celebrate the products, solutions and individuals making a genuine contribution to the future of confectionery, and I would encourage everyone across the sector to get involved and cast their votes.”
Cast Your Vote Today
Voting for Packaging Machine of the Year is now open here.
Readers can explore the four shortlisted machines before selecting the innovation they believe deserves this year’s award.
Voting closes on 9 November 2026.
The winner of Packaging Machine of the Year will be revealed during the International Confectionery Awards 2026 ceremony on Thursday, 26 November, broadcast via LinkedIn Live.
