Alongside growing demand for meat, poultry and seafood predicted, market analyst The Freedonia Group predicts demand for packaging in these markets will increase by 3 percent annually through 2015.

This activity represents a significant opportunity for meat manufacturers, but it will also challenge them to meet evolving consumer demands, ensure product freshness and flavor, advance sustainability goals on the line and comply with new regulations resulting from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It’s a tall order, but by sourcing innovative new processing and packaging technologies, meat processors can overcome these hurdles without sacrificing profitability.

PACK EXPO International 2012 (Oct. 28-31, 2012, at McCormick Place in Chicago) will provide access to a wide range of technologies as well as actionable insight from industry leaders to help meat processors resolve issues up and down the line. With more than 1,800 exhibitors and projections for 46,000 attendees, the show will be the single largest event in North America to address processing and packaging innovation this year.

Solutions on display will include equipment and materials to increase throughput, reduce waste, minimize changeover, comply with rigorous food-safety regulations and enhance the efficiency of coding and labeling applications.

The show’s customer-centric approach to addressing different needs and vertical markets will help brand owners make the most of their time in Chicago:

• Attendees concerned about compliance with FSMA regulations can stop at the Food Safety Summit Resource Center, sponsored by BNP Media. There, they can address their questions with leading industry and subject matter experts.
• The Processing Zone will return to Chicago. The area dedicated to processing technologies will feature solutions to enhance production efficiency, advance sustainability goals and increase output. Processing solutions will also be on display across the show floor.
• For the latest in material and container innovation, The Brand Zone will be home to the latest plastic, paperboard, glass, labeling techniques and reclosable packaging options. Special features in The Brand Zone include interactive displays and presentations about packaging trends around the world and advanced materials with special on-floor education opportunities by consultancies Mintel and Material ConneXion to learn.

Meat processors can benefit further from the insights shared at the Conference at PACK EXPO. Presenters include ConAgra, owner of leading meat industry brands such as Slim Jim, Banquet and Hebrew National. Sessions will be divided into several tracks to address sustainability, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and other important topics.

With dedicated pavilions, features and educational programming, PACK EXPO provides a comprehensive event for meat and poultry processors to discover innovation that will help them meet evolving consumer demands, new regulatory standards and sustainability goals.

Register for PACK EXPO International 2012 at www.packexpo.com. The early attendee registration fee is $30. After October 8, 2012, registration costs $60.