Middle East Companies Eye interpack 2023
Düsseldorf will be hosting interpack 2023, where the global packaging industry will meet with innovations presenting the entire value chain and discussing top trends. After six years and a forced absence during the pandemic, the world’s leading trade fair – a trendsetter for the future themes of the industry – is up and running again to be held from 4 to 10 May, 2023, at the prodigious Messe Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre.
The focus is on packaging machines, packaging materials, and related process technology for the bakery, beverage, confectionery, food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, non-food, and industrial goods sectors.
Such is the popularity, that less than a year before the start of the event, interpack 2023 is already fully-booked in advance occupying the entire 306,000 square meter exhibition space. Over 2000 exhibitors will occupy 18 halls and targeted exhibition areas with new special shows and forums to demonstrate the industry’s innovative strength.
How connectivity, security, and sustainability will impact the future of the packaging industry that’s on an evolving mold will be demonstrated at interpack 2023. Project Director for interpack Thomas Dohse says, “Conditions like scarcity of resources and disrupted supply chains pose great challenges to the industry, while simultaneously, factors such as increasing demand, new technology, and a growing awareness of sustainability bring huge opportunities for bigger strides ahead.”
Visitors from the food industry will find everything of their choice in a single platform including bakery, beverages, and confectionery, besides other related areas such as cosmetics, pharma, non food and industrial goods sectors.
Incidentally, the Middle East is witnessing a remarkable growth in the food packaging industry accounting for 5% of global consumption. With demands expected to reach 44 million tons by 2026 – an increase by 21% – market studies show the adoption of new and improved packaging and processing technologies to expand the current production levels.
Saudi Arabia holds around 30% of the regional market consumption, followed by Iraq and the UAE. Research reveals a steady rise in consumption of packaged food, with Iraq’s consumption expected to rise by 28%, Saudi Arabia’s by 22%, and the UAE’s by 19% by 2026.
Baked food was the largest category within the packaged food segment, with sales expected to touch 18 million tons up to 2026, an estimated increase by 20%. Dairy products are next on the list, expected to increase sales by 19% by 2026; items such as rice, pasta, and noodles by 25%; and the confectionery sector by 14% during the same period.
Companies from the MENA region are expected to participate in droves at interpack 2023. The exhibition will allow businesses to focus on building a circular economy, enhancing resource management, adopting digital technologies, and improving product quality and safety in line with the sharp increase in global demand for the latest and most innovative equipment and machinery for the processing, production, and packaging of beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.
“This event has always served as a platform to showcase the latest developments in technology, and we are pleased to bring it back to the 2023 edition. We were also glad to receive a large number of visitors from the GCC countries in our previous exhibition and expect a similar turnout in the coming edition. The Middle East market has witnessed significant growth in the packaged food sector and is well positioned to explore and use the latest packaging innovations that can positively impact the market,” adds Dohse.
