FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPMC To Salute "The Invisible Hero" on Sterile Packaging Day 2026

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) invites the global healthcare packaging community to celebrate Sterile Packaging Day 2026 on Wednesday, February 4. The SPMC will lead an in-person celebration at MD&M West in Anaheim, CA, and an online celebration on LinkedIn.

This year's event theme,  "Sterile Packaging: The Invisible Hero," shines a light on the silent guardian that protects patients well before treatment begins. From ambulances to operating rooms, sterile packaging keeps life-saving medical tools and supplies safe until the moment they’re needed.

In-Person Celebration: Informa + SPMC Blood Drive

The in-person celebration will center around the Informa + SPMC Blood Drive at the Anaheim Convention Center. SPMC is rallying show exhibitors and attendees to collect 30 units of blood, which can potentially save as many as 90 lives.

"As we celebrate The Invisible Hero, we encourage donors to dedicate their gifts of life to the heroes in their own lives," says Maddie Hahn, Marketing Manager at Paxxus and SPMC Marketing Committee Chair. "Representatives from SPMC's member companies will be on hand with refreshments, giveaways, music, and commemorative photo opportunities." 

Online Celebration: Use the Sterile Packaging Day Toolkit

The SPMC has released its toolkit webpage to help supply chain partners, healthcare teams, professionals, and educators easily join the celebration. The online resource includes free downloadable social media graphics, logos, "Invisible Hero" artwork, electronic wallpapers, infographics, celebration ideas, and FAQs for first-time participants.

Visit the website to sign up for the Informa + SPMC Blood Drive and download the 2026 resources. Join the conversation and share your celebrations using #SterilePackagingDay and #InvisibleHero.

About SPMC

Formed as a council of the Flexible Packaging Association in 1994, SPMC is a consortium of companies committed to patient protection by providing sterilization packaging for life-saving medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The SPMC collaborates with supply chain partners and regulators to provide packaging requirement guidance, test methodology clarity, standards development, and user education. SPMC member companies use their wealth of experience for the betterment of all. All SPMC work is performed voluntarily by member companies, including Amcor Flexibles, Beacon Converters, Berry Global, Charter Next Generation, Paxxus, PPC Flexible Packaging, Printpack Medical, SteriPax, Vonco, and Winpak.

For more information, contact:
Dani Diehlmann, Vice President, Communications
Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council 
A Council of the Flexible Packaging Association
ddiehlmann@flexpack.org