The largest and most comprehensive processing and packaging convention in North America is coming back to Chicago. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, PACK EXPO International 2018 will take place Oct. 14-17 at McCormick Place, covering the emerging trends and innovative technologies that will help food and beverage manufacturers achieve operational excellence and remain competitive and nimble to meet consumer demands for convenience, flexibility and personalization in their rapidly changing markets.
More than 50,000 packaging and manufacturing professionals are expected to attend PACK EXPO International, which is co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO. From plant managers to quality control experts to supply chain specialists to packaging designers, attendees will get the chance to check out over 2,500 exhibitor booths, attend free educational seminars and network with their peers.
Top-tier suppliers from around the world will showcase best-in-class packaging and processing solutions, including inventive materials and containers, advanced manufacturing equipment, cutting-edge machinery systems and process controls, sophisticated robotics, and supply chain enhancements. Many of these exhibitors will feature full-scale equipment in action and product demonstrations at their booths to help attendees understand the products and make better purchasing decisions.
Attendees will be able to connect with exhibitors like Harford Control, an automation company that supplies a suite of modular software products to help food and beverage processors with lean manufacturing. Piab, a supplier of industrial vacuum technology, will be on hand to showcase how its Kenos gripper can be used with a cobot to grip a variety of products. For attendees interested in capitalizing on the healthy eating trend, Clextral will feature its twin screw extruders, which transform plant protein mixtures into meat, seafood and poultry analogs for market-ready entrées. Packaging exhibitors will include Triangle Package Machinery Company, which will demonstrate how its vertical form/fill/seal bagging machine allows manufacturers to run multiple package styles on the same machine. Attendees will even be able to seek advice from architecture and engineering firms like CRB about how to best renovate or construct food and beverage plants.
Beyond the show floor, attendees will also get the chance to explore the industry trends that are affecting their operations at the Innovation Stage. These free, 30-minute educational seminars will cover topics such as food safety technology, smart packaging, sustainability, remote monitoring, the Internet of Things (IoT) and high pressure processing.
