The world market for packaging machinery value is expected to reach $42.2 billion by 2021, according to PMMI’s Global Trends Impacting the Market for Packaging Machinery 2018 report. As the worldwide market becomes increasingly larger and more complex, PMMI presents PACK EXPO International and the co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO (Oct. 14–17, 2018, McCormick Place, Chicago). The show will bring together more than 2,500 exhibitors and 50,000 packaging industry professionals over 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space.

PACK EXPO International will address the trends and challenges driving the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical device, cosmetics and personal care, industrial and household chemical, and other packaged goods industries. Attendees include manufacturers, managers, engineers, production supervisors, purchasers, brand managers, package designers, product development professionals and supply chain and logistics professionals from more than 40 vertical markets and companies of all sizes.

Attendees and exhibitors alike will have access to some must-see highlights at this year’s show:

The PACKage Printing Pavilion: Making its debut at PACK EXPO International 2018, the PACKage Printing Pavilion is the industry’s main stage for digital’s advantages for short-run, on-demand, cost-effective variable data and personalized packaging.

The Containers and Materials Pavilion: This year’s Containers and Materials Pavilion will address the latest innovations in paperboard, glass, metal and plastic. Flexible and resalable packaging options will also be on display as well as innovative containers and sustainable choices. The Pavilion will also feature the Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company, where visitors can view the award-nominated packages.

The Reusable Packaging Pavilion: As demand rises for sustainable packaging solutions, the Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), is a hotspot for reusable products, services and solutions for increasing sustainability across the supply chain. The RPA’s Reusable Packaging Center within the pavilion will offer free presentations on case studies and best practices for incorporating reusables.

PACK gives BACK: Sponsored by Rockwell Automation, PMMI’s regular benefit returns to PACK EXPO International with a networking event in support of PACK EXPO Scholarships, a scholarship program for U.S. and Canadian students majoring in packaging and processing. Guests can enjoy beer, wine, light appetizers and a performance by renowned stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalo. Tickets to the fundraiser are $75. The fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 15, kicks off with a networking reception at 4:30 p.m. followed by the comedy performance at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to get tickets, visit: https://www.packexpointernational.com/pack-gives-back

The Forum at PACK EXPO: Take advantage of free, unique, interactive presentations throughout PACK EXPO International. The Forum will feature 20-minute open sessions on the latest industry trends by the OpX Leadership Network, Institute of Packaging Professionals, Contract Packagers Association and PMMI Business Intelligence, followed by small group discussions and Q&A sessions.

Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN): Launched in 2016, PPWLN serves to recruit, retain and advance women in processing and packaging. The PPWLN breakfast is on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 a.m. The meeting will include presentations and discussions allowing peers to exchange ideas and experiences.

The Innovation Stage: In addition to the packaging and processing technologies that will be on display on the show floor, PACK EXPO International will be giving attendees access to free educational programming at The Innovation Stage. During the show, free 30-minute seminars presenting breakthrough technologies and techniques will be scheduled and will focus on a wide range of industry specific solutions. Located in the North Building, Booths N-4560, N-4570 and N-4580.

Student Opportunities
PACK EXPO International offers programs and activities aimed at getting students excited about careers in packaging.

  • The Amazing Packaging Race: Students are invited to discover the exciting possibilities in the packaging and processing industry by participating in the Amazing Packaging Race. In this fun and educational event, teams from colleges and universities across the U.S. race around the PACK EXPO International show floor to complete tasks at the booths of participating exhibitors. Wednesday, Oct. 17; 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Booth E-350.
  • CareerLink @ PACK EXPO: CareerLink, PMMI’s online job board, is going live at PACK EXPO International and the co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO in 2018. CareerLink @ PACK EXPO is an opportunity for PMMI members and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to meet with students and veterans pursuing careers in packaging and processing during one-on-one informational interviews. Interviews will take place at the show on Monday, Oct. 15 (9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) and Tuesday, Oct. 16 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) at booth E-353a. To register: http://sites.ennect.com/e5906??ssosid=tsl31af4o0bmmpfq4crmjdeu
  • Future Innovators Robotics Showcase: Come see high school robotics teams from the across the country showcase their design, engineering and troubleshooting skills.
    • Ask about their robot design
    • Inquire about the competition
    • Check out their innovations

Sunday - Tuesday, Oct. 14, 15 & 16; 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. at booth E-6620

Workforce Development: PMMI is offering popular training workshops at McCormick Place in Chicago to coincide with PACK EXPO International. https://www.packexpointernational.com/pmmiu

Risk Assessment Workshop – Oct. 12–13, 2018: Looking for ways to reduce downtime, improve productivity and ensure worker safety? Join PMMI’s Risk Assessment experts at PACK EXPO International and learn the tips and techniques to perform and document the important risk assessment process.

Certified Trainer Workshop – Oct. 14–15, 2018: PMMI’s Certified Trainer Workshops will equip your company with strategies and tactics to train well across all employee skill levels including service technicians, service and training managers, maintenance technicians, internal trainers, line supervisors, and any employee tasked with training fellow employees or customers.

Introduction to Field Service – Oct. 15–16, 2018: Field service technicians are the face of your organization. While technical proficiency garners the most attention, there is far more to being a technician. This 2-day workshop explores non-technical knowledge and skills needed to be a great technician. Topics include: Customer Service, Troubleshooting, Environmental Issues, Safety, Training and Service Call Follow Up.

PACK EXPO International Mobile App: Navigate both shows like a pro with our free mobile app

  • Look up exhibitors, products and educational sessions
  • Create and save a personal agenda of what you want to see and do
  • Navigate from booth to booth with the interactive map
  • Get news and notifications about demos, giveaways and more
  • Access your agenda anywhere

App available for download early August.

 

Some of the innovations attendees will discover on the show floor include:

Innovative shrink sleeve technology
Dreamoncup (Booth #S-1532) offers brand differentiation and visibility with 360 degrees of imaging and messaging with its new inline sleeving machine and shrink sleeve technology. The system provides a more sustainable approach to package printing, reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption by 50 percent. The in-line location extends great flexibility in dimension and maintenance.
Applications: Packaging, Food

Recyclable film requires no capital investment
Bemis (Booth #S-3705) will feature a new polyethylene ultra-clear recyclable film that requires no capital investment. Encore film offers the operator the benefits of low haze, good stiffness and high gloss. Additionally, it incorporates convenience features like press-to-close zippers. The film can consistently run on existing equipment at similar processing speeds, mitigating any learning curves for operators.
Applications: Packaging, Food

Five new solutions improve vision and inspection on the line
Filtec (Booth #S-2021) will showcase five new technologies assisting with varying aspects of vision inspection. ECI is an inspection service with a compact production line footprint capable of providing high-speed container integrity inspection prior to the filler. INTELLECT + VISION is the newest vision platform offered by Filtec, operating at speeds exceeding 1200 CPM. AURATEC is a smart and dependable pressure/vacuum inspection system that expertly evaluates 3D data. QUADVIEW is a compact stand-alone system that provides a 720 degree field of view inspection. The FILTEC 3-CI is a compact case erector that can handle multi-tier cases and boxes that are shrink-wrapped.
Applications: Case Erection, Packaging, Automation, Inspection

Metal detector addresses foreign material inspection challenges
Loma Systems’ (Booth #N-5724) IQ4 Metal Detector Series boasts an abundance of industry-first features. The cutting-edge solution improves on design, performance, usability and quality benefits, all while ensuring a low cost of ownership. The IQ4 Metal Detector features a 7-inch color touchscreen, optimized detector mechanics and a faster auto-learn functionality, ensuring the sensitive and accurate delivery of inspection data.
Applications: Inspection

Container sterilization solution reduces environmental impact and operating costs
Serac, Inc. (Booth #S-2814) will feature a new container sterilization solution that serves as an alternative to the chemical treatment process. Design of the BluStream is based on an accelerated electron beam that enables the elimination of all types of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and mold. In addition, the BluStream module is more compact and simpler than other chemical sterilization solutions.
Applications: Sterilization

Film slitting device wraps multiple products; cuts film usage
Farbal (Booth #E-8826) has introduced a film slitting device from its line of plastic film wrapping machines that can slit film during the wrapping process, allowing the machine to wrap two or three products at the same time. This process allows companies to avoid changing film widths and pack one large product with several smaller ones. In the end, Farbal’s solution provides greater sustainability with the use of less film.
Applications: Packaging

Eco-friendly adhesive stitching and inspection technology Nordson (Booth #S-2030) will feature an adhesive application inspection device to ensure specific adhesion parameters are met. The EcoBead inspects the adhesive dispensed onto each package and, depending on the accuracy of the adhesive, will send a signal to the light tower or the ejection system. Features include easy installation, drop-in design, built-in laser pointer that helps to aim sensor head, automatic stitches for adhesive savings, reduced setup time and increased inspection accuracy.
Applications: Inspection

PACK EXPO International brings together industry professionals from around the world to catch up on the latest technologies and trends. Registration, which includes access to both PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is $30 until Sept. 28, after which the price increases to $100. For more information and to register online, visit packexpointernational.com or hcpechicago.com.