Ipack-Ima 2003 re-focuses

The international exhibition for packing and packaging, materials handling and food processing industrial machinery will be held on 4-8 March 2003 in the Fiera Milano exhibition fairground.

With around 1,500 companies already taking up stands, the organisers have reported that space is now virtually sold out. Most companies have confirmed their participation, including a high foreign participation of 400 exhibitors.

Ipack-Ima 2003 will host cutting-edge companies in all its product areas. High calibre names are especially numerous in the traditional areas of packing and packaging, the historic "core business" of the show, as well as in the pasta processing machines and technology - where Ipack-Ima is a mainstay event worldwide. The organisers also report that food processing is also on the rise, with its success being supported by bakery products and beverages, and above all soft drinks.

Ipack-Ima 2003 has a marked international flavour with an attendance of foreign delegations (producers) from 15 countries, while national group participation will come from the US and Taiwan exhibitors.

The organisers also say that they are expecting a very strong showing for the Italian packaging and food processing machine producers at Ipack-Ima 2003. Last year, exports accounted for 82 per cent and 76 per cent respectively of total sales, making Italy the world's second largest exporter after Germany.

Furthermore, the organisers say that they are expecting a substantial increase in the number of visitors now that more business travel is taking place following the events of 11 September 2001. Interpack, held in Düsseldorf last April, was greatly overshadowed by the event, posting a sharp decline in American participation. Added to this is the interest that German producers are showing in the buoyant Italian market, which will account for the largest number of foreign exhibitors and represented companies present at Ipack-Ima 2003.

Meetings and high-level satellite events will accompany the exhibition. The programme has already defined some of the most important topics: at Pack-Mat, the SpazioIncontri area will host a series of conferences, seminars and round tables targeting professionals, with one or more appointments scheduled each day.

Noteworthy international events will also be held during the exhibition, such as the first Conference of the European Packaging Institutes Consortium and a day dedicated to the Food Industry, which is in line with the Ipack-Ima's key role as a worldwide mainstay event in the area of pasta processing machinery and technology.

Numerous meetings and debates, presentations and conferences will be organised directly by the major companies in the sector. Recycling and Re-use Consortia such as Conai and Comieco will also participate, organising a series of meetings.

The last time the triennial event was held, in 2000, Ipack-Ima the Fiera Milano exhibition fairground was visited by 79,000 people 10,000 of whom came from 122 foreign countries.