Interpack17: Day #1 Highlights
Industry 4.0 and a fundamental collaboration with clients in technology development were among underlying concepts in the industry’s dialogue, as seen on the first day of interpack.
With about 2,700 exhibiting companies from 60 countries recorded in 2017, trends for the packaging supply chains and processing are set in the halls of Messe Düsseldorf. Spread over 19 halls, this year’s show is the largest yet, according to the organizers, who anticipate over 170,000 visitors.
The implementation of industry 4.0 can be seen in a wide range of “live” examples and approaches at interpack, as it is one of the major priorities for exhibitors and visitors alike. In addition, the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association showcases the Technology Lounge (Hall 5 Stand 38), to display innovative ideas and concepts driving machinery development, brainstormed in association with partners from industry, science and research.
VDMA’s Industry Outlook
The German food processing and packaging machinery manufacturing companies look forward to the interpack trade fair full of confidence, according to the association. “For years, our industry has shown a positive development and the German manufacturers can look back on a record year,” said Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the VDMA, at interpack.
Last year, the companies generated machines and plants worth EUR13.3bn, an increase of 2.4% compared to the previous year. “The current development of the industry is a good thing for us, so we expect a growth in sales of between 3 and 4% for the entire sector covered by the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association,” Clemens added. Demand from abroad is the driving force of the industry, as last year’s exports amounted to EUR8.3bn. This was an increase of almost 4% compared to the previous year.
Europe remains the most important sales region, according to the association’s research data. In 2016, the German manufacturers exported food processing and packaging machinery worth EUR4.1bn. After Europe, Asia is the most important sales region for German food processing and packaging machinery. In 2016, machinery and equipment worth 1.4 billion euros went to Asian countries.
“Smart Future” is the header under which the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association within VDMA gives partners from industry, research and development the opportunity to present their latest developments in packaging technology. The exhibits show ideas and solutions for tomorrow’s machines.
From Virtual Reality to Everyday Reality
Virtual reality is increasingly present at trade shows and at home at interpack too, as it is becoming a useful tool in showcasing technology, processes – from the big picture to zooming to the smallest components. One company illustrating this is Haas: an augmented reality tour of four of their wafer lines is available via tablet, starting from the component showcased to display the line in its entirety. It can be “dismantled” to show pieces of interest in complete detail.
The comprehensive equipment display at the Haas booth includes lines that can quickly swap belts for product variations. This is a priority that can be seen with GEA’s machinery, fast belt changeovers ensure not only shorter downtimes, but also allow for easy and fast equipment cleaning. GEA Comas and GEA Imaforni are presenting their range of integrated bakery solutions for cracker, cake, pie, biscuit and cookie manufacturing at the GEA stand in hall 7a (B09/B31).
Habasit presents its timing belts solutions for the packaging industry (Hall 3, booth B49), introduced as one of the company’s most versatile products yet. The HabaSYNC timing belts comes with an extensive range of covers, textures and accessories.
Sandvik also presents its best in belts for the baking industry (Hall 3, Stand F44). Bake ovens belts represent Sandvik’s largest food-related market, and can be produced in widths from 800 – 3500 mm. The company supplies belts in carbon or stainless steel to suit the needs of a whole variety of food processing applications. They can be supplied in solid form, or perforated to provide a lighter alternative to wire mesh belts.
PMMI Highlights
More than 210 members of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, showcase global processing and packaging machinery solutions at interpack. PMMI’s Business Intelligence will release the 2017 Global Packaging Trends report, produced by Euromonitor and sponsored by PMMI, Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association, Italian Manufacturers of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery, and the Processing & Packaging Machinery Trade Association. This report explores key trends driving packaging innovations such as increasing awareness of health and wellness and growing concerns about environmental impact while identifying hot spots for packaging growth in all regions of the world.
We are preparing additional updates on our visits at the stands in the four bakery-dedicated halls, and our picks on the essential developments in Düsseldorf, on www.worldbakers.com.