For us at NOVAPOR, the DALO Industry Days 2026 in Herning was more than just another trade fair. Above all, it was an opportunity to talk to companies and experts from the defense industry about specific applications – and about what modern defense packaging must deliver today.
Many of the technologies we saw in Herning face a particular contradiction: the systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated and sensitive technologically, while the conditions under which they are transported, stored and used can be extremely robust.
Electronics, sensors, optics, communication systems or drone technology must function where shocks and vibrations, dust, moisture, temperature fluctuations or demanding handling can be part of everyday life.
It is precisely at this interface that we deal with packaging.
"Do you do that too?"
We actually heard this sentence quite often during the DALO Industry Days. Many visitors initially knew NOVAPOR from a single area – for example custom foam inserts or protective cases. It quickly became clear in the discussion that defense packaging rarely requires only one of these components.
Anyone in Herning who initially looks for a specific protective case or foam for military applications , quickly realized in discussions with our experts that NOVAPOR focuses not on individual packaging products, but on developing the right protective solution. This is precisely where many discussions in Herning became technically interesting: the requirements for defense packaging and military transport packaging are becoming increasingly complex.
„This year, DALO Industry Days 2026 at the Herning Exhibition Center reached a new level. With more than 1,200 exhibitors from 28 countries and over 20,000 attendees, it was the perfect opportunity for NOVAPOR to showcase our range of innovative packaging solutions. We were thrilled from the start and had many productive discussions and meetings with both existing and potential customers. I am very pleased with how the event went; our colleagues did an outstanding job tailoring the stand perfectly to the occasion. I am already looking forward to participating in DALO Industry Days 2027.“
– Thomas Søgaard, CEO NOVAPOR Nordic
Defense Packaging: Sensitive technology meets harsh operating conditions
An optical system reacts differently to mechanical stress than a heavy electronic device. A drone has different geometries, sensitive components, and accessories than a communications system. Electronic assemblies may require ESD protection, while for another system, moisture, dust, or repeated handling are the decisive factors.
The transport chain also plays a role. Impacts and drops, continuous vibrations, stacking pressure, temperature fluctuations, and humidity all affect the product and packaging in different ways. At the same time, the packaging often needs to remain practical: Good defense packaging is not automatically the heaviest, most robust, or most heavily padded. It must be designed to withstand the stresses that can actually occur.
The process begins with an analysis of the application. From this, we develop the protection concept – from material analysis and design to application-specific packaging tests, the consideration of relevant safety standards and the documentation up to prototype construction and manufacturing. The result can be a custom-made package as well as a reproducible solution for mass production.
Particularly valuable: the personal conversations
Despite all the technology, one insight remains particularly important for us: trade fairs thrive on personal conversations. Many interesting topics don't arise at a desk, but when a customer stands before us, tells us about their product, and says: "We've actually been looking for a better solution for this for quite some time."
It is precisely these kinds of discussions that make events like the DALO Industry Days so valuable to us. With NOVAPOR Nordic in Denmark, the new representative office in Sweden, and our production and development facilities in Germany, we can directly support customers in Scandinavia while simultaneously drawing on a wide range of manufacturing capabilities.
„This was my first time at DALO. I was very surprised by the number of exhibitors from a wide variety of sectors and by the large number of visitors. We had many interesting discussions with a multitude of detailed questions, exciting project inquiries, and some problem presentations that we hadn't encountered before. I spoke with several exhibitors who, like us, described the quality of the discussions and the overall atmosphere at the trade fair as very good.“
– Carsten Liedtke, NOVAPOR Sales Manager D-A-CH Region
Interview
Mikael Produn, NOVAPOR Nordic, Sales Manager Sweden
NOVAPOR Nordic Sweden was represented at the DALO trade fair for the first time. What was your impression of the event?
Mikael Produn: I had the privilege of representing NOVAPOR Nordic ApS at the DALO Industry Days – a valuable experience, especially as a relatively new team member from a different market. The trade fair offered an excellent opportunity to quickly gain insight into the dynamics of the defense and technology packaging industry, meet potential customers, and learn about a wide range of requirements across the sector.
During these two days, I had numerous conversations in various languages with companies from all over the world. The international perspective was certainly inspiring, but my main focus is on the Swedish market, where I represent NOVAPOR Nordic locally.
The trade fair lasted two days and attracted thousands of visitors as well as hundreds of companies from the defense and security sectors. How do you assess the current demand in this market?
Mikael Produn: DALO offered a wide range of networking opportunities. We met companies with very different requirements for a broad spectrum of high-tech applications. The discussions clearly showed that technical and protective packaging is a priority in many segments. We clearly observed a strong and growing demand for professional and customized packaging solutions.
How great was the interest in NOVAPOR's product concept?
Mikael Produn: The discussions I've had clearly shown that NOVAPOR is the right partner for customized solutions in the defense and security industry. With our experience, our product range, and our professional approach, we can optimize existing solutions or guide customers to better alternatives.
Both walk-up visitors and the companies we proactively approached showed genuine interest in and appreciation for our solutions. NOVAPOR is perceived as a versatile and competent company.
What is your overall conclusion regarding NOVAPOR's participation in the event, and what plans are there for the defense market?
Mikael Produn: The DALO Industry Days were an excellent platform for learning, networking, and strengthening NOVAPOR's market position. There was great interest in our solutions, and the trade fair once again demonstrated that we are ideally positioned to support customers with advanced and reliable packaging solutions, thereby strengthening the entire defense supply chain.
I look forward to following up on the many promising contacts and conversations that arose at the trade fair. There is clearly potential to develop some of these contacts into long-term collaborations.
Our takeaway from Herning
We are taking away many good conversations, new contacts, and concrete ideas from Herning. We were particularly pleased by the recurring feedback that customers and prospective clients find the breadth of our capabilities exciting.
For us, this confirms a path we have been pursuing for years: not just offering a single packaging product, but developing the right protective and transport solution together with the customer. Many thanks to all customers, partners, and new contacts for the discussions at the DALO Industry Days 2026 in Herning. We look forward to the projects that will result from these discussions.