The triennial METPACK returns this year as the world’s leading expo for the metal packaging industry. To be held from 2-6 May, 2023, at Messe Essen, Germany, the much-awaited event gives opportunities to learn about innovative production processes, efficient machines, and the latest trends, and will be a crucial reunion of the industry after a lapse of six years.
The event holds special significance as accredited research centres expect the metal packaging market, with innovative products and processes, to have a global annual growth rate of 4% for the period 2020-2027.
Into its 10th edition, METPACK 2023 will feature around 320 exhibitors, and expects to receive an international audience of over 7,000 trade visitors coming from around the globe to explore products and services which will introduce a modern approach to the production, refinement, and recycling of barrels, bottles, cans, containers, metal boxes, and tubes.
Italy’s Aetna Group, a world leader in the packaging industry, specializing in end-of-line solutions will be making its maiden promotion of its two reference brands Robopac and Ocme, which have palletising and depalletising systems, stretch film wrapping systems, and laser-guided vehicles, guaranteeing an efficient and extremely flexible end-of-line.
International ink specialist hubergroup will present its sustainable portfolio for metal decoration which includes conventional as well as UV inks and coatings and matching fountain solution additives. The relaunched NewV tin MGA series, designed for sage UV printing on food cans, and the newly developed UV coatings for metal decoration applications will be the highlights. Jan Museler, Product Manager Metal Decoration at hubergroup, says, “We are excited to present our metal decoration concept at METPACK for the first time and it’s a great opportunity to discuss and network the need for metal decoration printers.”
US-based INX International Ink Co. will demonstrate a full range of products, including the latest ones, for two- and three-piece cans, monobloc containers, and direct-to-metal digital decoration and brand colour management solutions, with daily presentations about sustainable ink innovations and INX Color Perfection. Referring to the significance of METPACK 2023, Renee Schouten, Vice President of Marketing, INX International Ink Co., says, “The metal decorating industry has experienced rapid change since 2017, and many of our new developments have taken place in the last three years since the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Sun Chemical will be presenting its unique range of metal packaging solutions under the theme of transformation with metal packaging. The company will demonstrate how it is working in unison with its Japanese parent company DIC Corporation, to provide a full range of metal decorating products for two- and three-piece cans, aluminum collapsible tubes, and monobloc aerosol cans and bottles to support can makers, converters, and brand owners respond to increasing consumer demands for more sustainable packaging.
While METPACK 2023 exhibition halls will be pulsating with live demonstrations and elaborate presentations, the adjoining Congress Center West becomes a think tank with the METPACK Conference, having industry experts from the entire production chain of metal packaging.
Dr. Daniel Abramowicz, Chief Technology Officer at Crown Holdings, will open the session with his keynote, highlighting technical innovations in metal packaging over the last quarter century. Neil Finley, Head of Global Food Safety at Henkel (UK) and chair of the CEPE Can Sector Group, will take on the important and ever-expanding area of migration and regulation, and talk about food contact risk assessment of BPA-NI coatings for metal packaging. Challenges in developing the next generation of coating machines will also be discussed by Koenig & Bauer MetalPrint.
Additional speakers will be from Greek chemical supplier Chrotex, American can manufacturer Crown Holdings, German coating specialist Koenig & Bauer MetalPrint, Japanese tinplate manufacturer Nippon Steel, and German surface treatment specialist Plasmatreat, with interesting contributions from Enpack, SLAC, and Stolle.
Doubling as a nucleus for innovations and a communication platform, the METPACK Innovation Award will be conferred by a high-calibre jury to particularly trendsetting developments which reduce costs and increase quality.
With the global industry highlight now reopening with interpack (4-10 May, 2023); trade fair visitors can experience both, the trade fair and the conference with a combined ticket of 285 euros. “We are confident that METPACK 2023 can take place with its usual size and internationality. On the part of the exhibitors, we have recently experienced a lot of understanding and encouragement, with a clear message. The industry needs METPACK and would rather come back to Essen today than tomorrow. With interpack taking place at Düsseldorf
at the same time, we are again expecting considerable synergies with the visitors,” says Messe Essen Managing Director Oliver P. Kuhrt.
Opening hours:
2-5 May, 2023: 9am to 5pm.
6 May, 2023: 9am to 3pm
