At the recently concluded Print4All Conference 2026 in Varese, Italy, ACiMGA and ARGI—the two trade associations representing the Italian printing and converting machinery industry—announced the creation of PACTA (The Printing & Converting Technology Alliance). This new project, jointly developed by the two associations, represents the printing and converting technology ecosystem in Italy in an even more integrated way.
The new alliance stems from the desire to consolidate a collaboration built over the years through initiatives such as Print4All and the Print4All Conference, as well as numerous activities dedicated to innovation, training, and international promotion of the sector.
The goal is to offer the sector a more authoritative and recognisable representation capable of enhancing the strategic role of printing and converting technologies within the Italian and European manufacturing industry.
Strategic Supply Chain for Manufacturing
The global printing technology market is currently worth approximately $500 billion and continues to grow thanks to the development of packaging, innovative materials, and high-value-added applications.
In this scenario, ACiMGA and ARGI together represent a wealth of industrial and technological expertise that covers the entire value chain—from the design and construction of printing and converting machines and systems to digital technologies, finishing, and material transformation solutions.
PACTA aims to network producers, technology providers, and expertise, strengthening the sector’s institutional clout and promoting shared analysis, monitoring, and development tools.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Training
PACTA was founded with a broad vision of the industry. Printing and converting are not just an industrial sector, but a set of technologies present in everyday life through applications ranging from packaging to communications, from industrial decoration to textiles, from automotive to electronics. These technologies contribute to sustainability, product customisation, and the competitiveness of the entire production system.
The priorities of the new alliance include the development of projects related to artificial intelligence, the circular economy, innovative materials, and the training of new generations of professionals.
Broader Vision
“With PACTA, we are taking an important step in evolving the representation of our industry. Printing and converting technologies are an essential element of contemporary manufacturing. They also play a crucial role in the innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness of industrial supply chains. Through this alliance, we aim to strengthen our capacity to collaborate and pool expertise and projects. We also aim to offer the industry an even stronger and more authoritative voice in dealings with institutions, the market, and international stakeholders,” says ACiMGA President Marco Calcagni.
Marco Marangoni, President of ARGI, adds, “The creation of PACTA represents the natural evolution of a collaboration that over the years has demonstrated how the value of the supply chain increases when skills are communicated and integrated. Today’s market requires vision, knowledge sharing, and joint planning. With this initiative, we aim to build a permanent development platform for printing and converting technologies, capable of supporting companies in the challenges of digital transformation, sustainability, and international growth.”
Observatories, Events, and International Promotion
Among the activities planned by PACTA are the creation of observatories dedicated to markets and technological trends, the development of training initiatives aimed at schools, ITS Academies, and young professionals, and the organisation of events and opportunities for discussion for member companies.
The alliance will also work to strengthen the sector’s communication and promotional activities in Italy and abroad. PACTA will operate in close synergy with the Print4All project, helping to consolidate its role as a reference platform for the entire supply chain and to strengthen the international positioning of Italian printing and converting technologies.
With PACTA’s launch, both ACiMGA and ARGI are ushering in a new phase of strategic collaboration. The goal is to build a stronger, more innovative, and more competitive system, capable of leveraging the technological expertise of member companies and guiding the future of the industry with a shared vision.
