AI & Tech, Cold Chain & Logistics, Labelling and Contamination Control zones will make their debut on the show floor at CPHI Milan in October, the later in partnership with the International Confederation of Contamination Control Societies.
“The zones join the ten existing zones at the event, bringing suppliers from outside the traditional pharma value chain onto the show floor.”
Four new specialist zones will be launched at CPHI Milan this year, bringing suppliers from outside the traditional pharma value chain onto the show floor alongside the industry’s established exhibitors. The AI & Tech, Cold Chain & Logistics, Labelling and Contamination Control zones join the ten existing zones at the event, which takes place on October 6-8, 2026, at Fiera Milano (Rho, Milan, Italy).
Find out more about the new zones here on the CPHI website.
The thinking behind the zones is that a growing share of what pharma manufacturers and CDMOs now need comes from adjacent sectors: software, logistics, automation, compliance technology and smart packaging. Each zone gives those suppliers a defined place to meet pharma and biotech buyers dealing with regulatory pressure, digital transformation, supply chain disruption and rising patient expectations.
“Pharma is evolving rapidly, and innovation increasingly depends on collaboration beyond traditional industry boundaries,” said Tara Dougal, Event Director, CPHI Milan. “These new zones are designed to help companies from adjacent industries showcase their expertise, from AI-driven manufacturing and digital compliance to resilient logistics and next-generation labelling solutions.”
THE FOUR ZONES
“A growing share of what pharma manufacturers and CDMOs now need comes from adjacent sectors: software, logistics, automation, compliance technology and smart packaging.”
AI & Tech covers software, digital infrastructure and intelligent technologies for pharmaceutical operations and commercial performance, including manufacturing optimisation, quality management, predictive maintenance, regulatory compliance, CRM platforms, real-world evidence and analytics.
Cold Chain & Logistics focuses on the technologies and services behind compliant, resilient and sustainable distribution of biologics, cell and gene therapies and other temperature-sensitive medicines: temperature-controlled packaging, real-time monitoring, storage, transportation and supply chain orchestration platforms.
Labelling brings together suppliers of serialisation and track-and-trace technologies, smart packaging, e-labelling, RFID and sustainable materials for packaging, manufacturing and regulatory teams working on compliance, traceability, anti-counterfeiting and patient engagement.
Contamination Control, prompted by stricter global standards and the revised EU GMP Annex 1, is a dedicated platform for suppliers supporting sterile manufacturing, cleanroom operations and contamination risk management: cleanroom specialists, monitoring system providers, containment equipment manufacturers, sterilisation technology providers and compliance consultants.
ICCCS PARTNERSHIP
The Contamination Control Zone is being run in partnership with the International Confederation of Contamination Control Societies (ICCCS), which represents contamination control associations and cleanroom experts in more than 20 countries, runs international cleanroom certification programmes and supports ISO standards work.
“This partnership represents an important step towards positioning contamination control not as a supporting function, but as a critical pillar of product quality and patient safety.”
With the sector’s own major events having disappeared in recent years, the partnership is intended to give the contamination control community a single recognised global meeting point. ICCCS will shape certification sessions, technical workshops and knowledge-sharing forums, and its members get preferential rates and priority stand access. Both sides describe 2026 as a foundation year, with the scale of the first edition determining how far the collaboration goes in subsequent years.
“This partnership represents an important step towards positioning contamination control not as a supporting function, but as a critical pillar of product quality and patient safety,” said Hasim Solmaz, Chairman of ICCCS.
Andres Silva, Global Head of Business Development at Informa Markets, said the aim was to make contamination control “a key focus area, not only for 2026, but as a long-term priority for the industry”.
FIND OUT MORE
CPHI Milan 2026 takes place on October 6-8, 2026, at Fiera Milano (Rho, Milan, Italy). Registration is open at: cphi.com/europe.
