TL;DR: At PPMA 2026, three trends stood out. First, QR codes are replacing barcodes to improve traceability – and Tesco is the first UK supermarket to move a full range to QR-only packaging. Second, manufacturers are turning to AI-powered inspection and flexible automation to reduce waste, avoid product recalls and address labour shortages. Third, connected production data, predictive maintenance and digital twins are set to improve efficiency and control. Together, these trends are moving the industry towards full end-to-end traceability.
TRACEABILITY, INSPECTION, AUTOMATION AND DATA: MY KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM PPMA 2026
When I attended PPMA Show at the NEC Birmingham last month, I observed that processing and packaging are developing quickly. In fact, the technologies on the show floor this year felt noticeably more advanced than the year prior. This is because regulations are tightening, consumers expect more from the products they buy and retailers want more visibility across their supply chains.
In this blog, I highlight the three trends that stood out to me at this year’s show – greener packaging, flexible automation and the smarter use of data – and how they’re shaping the future of manufacturing and supply chains…
Traceability and the rise of the QR code
A common theme I encountered was the growing focus on traceability, particularly in packaging where traditional barcodes are set to be replaced by QR codes. This shift is being driven by retailer requirements and the opportunity for shops to build post-sale consumer engagement into the codes.
A speaker session I attended by Tesco and GS1 UK explained why the change to barcodes – which have barely changed in 50 years – is happening. The linear barcode carries just one piece of information: the product’s GTIN. A QR code built on the GS1 Digital Link standard*1 still scans at the till, but it can also link to online content such as recycling guidance and brand stories. Data such as batch numbers, expiry dates and supplier site codes can be encoded too.
Tesco is leading the way on this. After a two-product proof of concept demo in 2024, it became the first UK supermarket (in April 2026) to transition an entire product range*2 – its own-label core sausages – exclusively to QR codes, removing traditional linear barcodes entirely.
For Tesco, the benefits are clear: stopping expired products being sold, reducing food waste through better expiry date visibility and giving shoppers more information about where their food comes from.
Despite this progress, Tesco said adding QR codes on production lines at high speed is a challenge. Its current focus for the roll-out is short-shelf-life fresh products that require lower production line speeds.
Automation, robotics and quality control
While at the show, I spoke to various exhibitors about technology for food and product inspection, verification and quality control. Suppliers are increasingly using AI-powered vision systems, OCR technology and automated inspections to catch errors before products leave the factory. The drivers for this are: reducing waste, avoiding costly product recalls and protecting brand reputation.
A number of exhibitors at the show displayed collaborative robots and flexible automation solutions, which are designed to improve efficiency and help manufacturers to tackle ongoing labour challenges.
Flexibility is the key word. As product ranges become more varied and runs become shorter, manufacturers need equipment that can adapt quickly without sacrificing output.
Software and data visibility
The final theme I observed was the importance of manufacturing software and data visibility. Production lines generate huge volumes of data, but much of it has traditionally sat in separate systems or on paper records, making it hard to act on. Businesses are now looking for tools that bring that information together and turn it into actionable insights that improve compliance, yield, efficiency and process control.
With retailers and regulators expecting more detailed records, digital systems that capture production, quality and batch data automatically make audits simpler and reduce the risk of human error. In addition, real-time dashboards can help teams to spot where materials are being wasted or where a line is underperforming, so they can intervene before small issues become costly ones.
Process control is also becoming more predictive. AI-powered maintenance tools analyse equipment data to flag potential failures before they can cause downtime, while digital twins allow manufacturers to test changes virtually and commission new lines faster.
The move to QR codes aligns closely with this. A code carrying batch and expiry information turns every pack into a data point that travels through the supply chain, paving the way for automated recalls and, eventually, full end-to-end traceability.
An exciting time for the industry
What struck me most at PPMA was how closely these themes are linked. Traceability depends on reliable inspection; inspection depends on good data; and flexible, automated lines are required to deliver at scale.
Ultimately, the manufacturing sector is advancing quickly – and it’s truly an exciting place to be right now.
*1: GS1 UK: GS1 Standards
*2: Tesco: Tesco sausage range becomes first UK products to switch over exclusively to QR codes. April 2026