5 key takeaways from IPPE 2026 on food processing facilities
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2026 in Atlanta brought together global experts in poultry, meat and food processing. Despite extreme weather and challenging travel conditions, the show attracted visitors from South Africa, the Middle East and beyond. At PolySto, we focus on complete hygienic environments — walls, ceilings and wall protection — and our conversations at IPPE confirmed that operational hygiene excellence begins with choosing the right construction materials.
1. Sealants drive hygiene and cost efficiency
Food processing companies visiting our booth shared recurring challenges with silicone joints in poultry, pork, and beef facilities. Poor-performing sealants not only drive up maintenance costs but also create hygiene risks. Many were interested in HygiSeal, a solution proven to last for years — joints remain intact, cleaning is simpler, and maintenance costs are reduced. Several returning customers confirmed its long-term reliability, highlighting the tangible benefits of choosing durable, hygienic sealants."
2. Durable walls for renovations and new builds
Several food processors also raised concerns about the durability of metal sandwich panels, which often show rust, cracks, or dents within a year. For renovations, solutions like CleanSheet provide long-lasting, hygienic surfaces, while specifying HygiWall-prefinished panels in new builds ensures immediate hygiene compliance. Visitors emphasized that choosing the right wall systems from the start reduces maintenance needs, prevents contamination risks, and supports long-term operational efficiency.
3. Innovative wall-to-floor transitions
Many companies highlighted the challenge of cleaning corners. Innovations such as our prefab CleanRock kerbs simplify cleaning in hard-to-reach areas and prevent contamination. CleanRock is our own engineered core material, combining very high impact resistance with a non-porous, water-tight structure, ensuring long-term wall protection in demanding food-processing environments. A new next-gen model will be available within a few months, offering even more efficient and hygienic solutions for wall-to-floor transitions.
4. Floor drainage is essential
Food processing operators and facility managers emphasized that proper drainage is critical. High-quality floors and floor-to-drain systems prevent water pooling and microbial hotspots, streamline cleaning and help maintain hygiene standards. Selecting experienced partners for these systems is key to achieving reliable, long-lasting results.
5. Robotics and automation in response to labor challenges
With a shortage of skilled labor, robotics is becoming increasingly important in processing and logistics. Food processors noted that integrating automation is most effective when facilities are designed and built with hygienic walls, floors, and protective surfaces that can withstand washdowns and heavy equipment. Thoughtful construction ensures that automation improves efficiency while maintaining strict hygiene standards, making the facility safer and more resilient.
Building for hygiene, innovation, and operational excellence
Conversations at IPPE confirmed that hygiene isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into every decision, from sealants and hygienic panels to prefab kerbs and polyethylene wall ledges. Facilities using these solutions achieve higher efficiency, safety and adaptability, setting the standard for modern food processing environments.
