The International Physical Internet Conference (IPIC) is the flagship annual event for the global Physical Internet community. Since its launch in 2014, IPIC has brought together researchers, industry leaders, innovators, and public authorities from around the world to explore how interconnected, open, and intelligent logistics systems can deliver efficiency, resilience, and sustainability at scale. IPIC 2026 represents a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, witness real-world implementations, and contribute to shaping the future of logistics and supply chain management in the era of the Physical Internet.

About the Physical Internet

The Physical Internet has opened a paradigm-breaking field encompassing the interconnectivity and interoperability of smart logistics networks, transportation systems, manufacturing systems, and supply chains. It enables seamless open asset sharing and flow consolidation on a massive scale. It aims for order-of-magnitude worldwide improvements in performance and capabilities, from a multi-criteria perspective including economic, environmental, and societal efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of supply chain and logistics ecosystems.

It is emerging and gaining traction all across the world, with many leading companies and startups testing and leveraging its principles and concepts; with a growing body of researchers and innovators engaged in further developing Physical Internet knowledge, theories, models, methodologies, and technologies.

IPIC 2026 theme: Supply Chain and Logistics Intelligence in the Era of the Physical Internet: Bridging High-Tech and Low-Tech Solutions.

Conference Types 

IPIC 2026 welcomes two complementary contribution types:

1. Research Contributions

Research Contribution submissions are intended for academic and scientific works that advance Physical Internet knowledge, theories, models, methods, and technologies. Submissions include, are not limited to:

• Conceptual & vision frameworks
• Feasibility & sustainability assessments
• Scientific case studies & living labs
• Modeling & methodology
• Technology development & validation
• State-of-the-art reviews
• Roadmapping

All methods & technologies are welcomed, including (non-exhaustive): Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Optimization & Operations Research, Digital Twins, Blockchain & Smart Contracts, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud/Edge/Fog Computing, Autonomous vehicles & robotics, Big Data analytics, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Additive Manufacturing.

Interdisciplinary contributions are welcome from academia, industry, and public organizations. Other types of contributions such as demos, panels, industrial sessions are also possible and are subject of separate call.

2. Practical & Innovation Contributions

This track invites proposals that go beyond traditional research papers and posters, dedicated to innovative formats that foster interaction, experience sharing, and practical impact within the Physical Internet community. It offers a unique opportunity to present ongoing projects, tools, methods, and experiences in an engaging and collaborative environment. 

We welcome proposals that showcase real-world implementations, emerging initiatives, educational innovations, or forward-looking perspectives related to the Physical Internet. Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Special sessions and thematic workshops
• Panel discussions and roundtables
• Demonstrations of physical or digital prototypes
• Industrial case studies and project reports
• Best practice reviews
• Tutorials and training sessions
• Interactive formats and community-building activities
• Lightning talks and pitch sessions
• Prospective research agendas or structured roadmaps

Who Can Submit?

Practice & Innovation contributions may be authored by participants from any discipline and any type of organization, including academia, industry, start-ups, public institutions, and non-profit organizations. Interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder proposals are strongly encouraged.

Application Domains & Business Models

• Hyperconnected supply chain & logistics systems
• Urban and city logistics
• E-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment
• Reverse logistics and circular economy
• Sustainable and green logistics
• Synchromodal and multimodal transportation
• Manufacturing and production integration
• Cross-border and international logistics
• Sharing economy platforms for logistics assets
• Platform business models and marketplaces
• Servitization and Logistics-as-a-Service
• Collaborative logistics and horizontal cooperation
• Transition strategies and implementation roadmaps

Special Issues

Several special issues in top journals in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations Management are planned for selected papers from the conference. Details will be announced soon.

Submission Guidelines

For Research Contributions

Research contributions must be submitted online via EasyChair, following the IPIC 2026 template and the instructions below.

• Paper length: Max 10 pages, A4, single column, English
• Format: Must use the IPIC 2026 template
• Content: Original, unpublished work
• Publication: IPIC 2026 proceedings with DOI
• Presentation: In-person required
• EasyChair Submission: easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ipic2026 

Please note that you must first create an EasyChair account to access the submission link. If this is your first time using EasyChair, please visit the "How to Make a New Submission" page for an overview of the submission system.

Templates for research paper/poster

• IPIC 2026 Research Contribution Abstract Template
• IPIC 2026 Research Contribution Full Paper Template
• IPIC 2026 Poster Template

For Practical & Innovation Contributions

Practical & Innovation contribution proposals must be submitted by email to ipic2026.contact@kedgebs.com, to enable the organizing committee to review and coordinate the proposed formats.

Proposal format: One-pager clearly describing

• Title and abstract
• Topic and objectives
• Proposed format and structure
• Target audience and people involved
• Expected outcomes and interaction mode

Expectations: Creativity and originality in session design are highly valued; the organizing committee will work with selected contributors to refine formats and ensure a dynamic conference experience.

In-person: All sessions will be conducted exclusively in person, regardless of the format selected.

Important Dates

Research Contributions dates

Practical & Innovation Contributions dates

Outreach

Conference proceedings will be produced with the accepted full papers and poster abstracts contributions. The Proceedings papers are to be made available in the below locations (except if requested otherwise by the authors).

• Posting within the IPIC conference website: www.pi.events
• Archived within the ALICE Knowledge Platform
• Archived within the Georgia Tech SMARTech repository which is indexed by Google Scholar. The Georgia Tech Library will provide DOIs for publication by registering each item with DataCite. Please note that DOIs will not be processed until AFTER the conference and when the Conference Proceedings are finalized.

Review Process

All submitted papers will be evaluated with regards to their suitability for the conference, originality and technical soundness.

• Research and Innovation contribution abstract submissions will be respectively reviewed by the Scientific Committee (peer-reviewed) and the Program Committee.
• Research papers will be peer-reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
• Authors of accepted abstracts of papers, posters and presentations will be invited to present them in related conference sessions, in-person during the Conference or in online video format.

For more information, please contact us via ipic2026.contact@kedgebs.com.