EXPO PACK México 2024: Latin America's Largest Packaging and Processing Trade Show Opens Today

The largest packaging and processing trade show in Latin America, EXPO PACK México (June 4–7, 2024; EXPO Santa Fe México) opens today with more than more than 700 world-class exhibitors displaying the latest materials and technologies over 20,000 net square meters of exhibit floor space.

This year’s show opens as the packaging machinery market in Mexico is at a record high, based on the newly released Mexico’s Packaging Machinery Market – Trends and Opportunities report produced by show organizer, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The research indicates the packaging machinery market value in 2023 reached US $1.13 billion, growing 25% in a single year and breaking the US$1 billion mark for the first time.

With more than two-thirds of the market planning to invest in new processing equipment in 2024, the timing for this year’s EXPO PACK México could not be better. “Our research shows that the demand for packaging and processing machinery in the Latin American market remains stronger than ever, with a significant increase in investments in large packaging machinery projects compared to last year,” says Celia Navarrete, director of EXPO PACK. “Additionally, more than half (51.6%) of the companies participating in the research indicate they are working on projects that integrate both packaging and processing equipment.”

This show brings together packaging and processing professionals from more than 40 vertical markets to explore the latest trends and advancements under one roof.

The show's global focus is clear, with nine international pavilions representing Brazil, Canada, China, the United States, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Taiwan. The PMMI Pavilion alone will feature 108 exhibitors and span 5,049 square meters of net floor space. “PMMI members have made a strong commitment to the growing Mexican market, with over 200 PMMI member companies represented throughout the show floor at this year’s event,” reports Navarrete.

The show also features a robust education program, beginning with this morning’s (June 4) keynote address at 11 a.m. discussing carbon-neutral packaging and featuring leading brand owners such as Natura México and Grupo Hada presenting ways for brands to offset emissions through packaging and calculate carbon emissions efficiently.

Additional keynotes include:

• Wednesday, June 5, the Latin American Chapter of the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) will present a panel with representatives from Walmart Mexico & Central America, Unilever Mexico, and the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) to discuss Gender Equality and Diversity in the Packaging Industry in Latin America.
• On Thursday, June 6, an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) will describe how the technology is revolutionizing packaging and related challenges, opportunities, and innovations.

In addition to the Keynote sessions, the full education program includes:

• Innovation Stage sessions on topics such as quality inspection, sustainability strategies, automation in manufacturing processes, packaging innovation impact, and smart industrial cleaning. All Innovation Stage content is available on-demand at EXPO PACK Online.
• The AMEE Envase Estelar Awards ceremony will be held today, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Salon D. Presented by the WPO. The Mexican Association of Packaging (AMEE) invited the entire packaging sector to participate in the annual AMEE Stellar Packaging contest. Participating companies, designers, or students submitted proposals in several categories (food, beverages, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical, industrial, domestic, health and beauty, and packaging) which were evaluated by a special jury. Winners are awarded prizes for innovation, marketing, safety, export, and social responsibility. The packaging with the highest score will be awarded the Best of Show award. This winner will receive a special report on its innovation and development process, which will be published in various digital and print media of the packaging industry.

Several networking sessions are taking place throughout the show as part of the mission to bring the industry together. These include a Young Professionals Network Breakfast on June 5 and the Vision 2030: Continuous Improvement Forum on June 6.

• PMMI's Young Professionals Network will host a FREE breakfast during EXPO PACK México for industry professionals 35 years old or younger. During the event, attendees will listen and interact with an executive panel moderated by Jorge Izquierdo, PMMI's vice president of market development, and learn about their career paths and gain leadership insights.
• Vision 2030 is an event in PMMI's suite of continuous improvement forums for consumer goods companies and equipment suppliers. Focused on identifying and discussing solutions to the industry's most important challenges, the event offers an opportunity to discuss best practices in packaging and processing operations directly with industry leaders, benchmark internal processes and practices, maximize productivity in new facilities, and implement new technologies.

Sustainability is a key theme at this year’s show, and nearly 100 exhibitors are participating in the EXPO PACK Verde program. Exhibitors with sustainable products and services such as biodegradable packaging, new packaging reduction processes, recyclable and recycled-content materials, or technology to reduce carbon footprint are easily identified by the EXPO PACK Verde program icon at their stand and in the online exhibitor directory. “In today’s world, sustainability has become a top priority for businesses across all sectors, including packaging. So, it’s crucial for EXPO PACK México to have an initiative like EXPO PACK Verde,” Navarrete says.

Attendees can search for EXPO PACK Verde exhibitors online and in the mobile app. Three education sessions address sustainability solutions, which also can be identified with the EXPO PACK Verde icon.

EXPO PACK México 2024 offers attendees a range of resources, including an online exhibitor directory and a mobile app sponsored by ProMach. These tools help visitors plan their time effectively at the show. The PyME (Pequeña y Mediana Empresa) icon identifies over 200 companies providing products or services for small to medium-sized enterprises, facilitating easy identification through online searches and the mobile app.

EXPO PACK México 2024 is the ideal place to discover the latest trends, seek out sustainable solutions, and network with packaging and processing industry professionals. By participating in EXPO PACK México 2024, attendees can gain valuable insights into technologies and solutions that minimize environmental impact while remaining profitable. The show is open today through Friday, June 7. Attendees can register online or on-site at EXPO Santa Fe México for $200 MXN.