More than 2,300 exhibitors from 57 countries and 170,000 attendees are getting ready for Interpack 2005, the 17th International Trade Fair for Packaging Machinery, Packaging and Confectionery Machinery, to be held April 21-27 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The exhibition will feature machines, packaging materials, processing and packaging techniques for the food processing, confectionery, chemical and cosmetics industries, pharmaceuticals and the technical consumer goods industry.

Interpack 2005 will feature companies from all over Europe and North America. Sixty-five percent of exhibitors are from outside Germany, with Italy offering 407 companies, Great Britain 127 exhibitors, the Netherlands 120 companies, France 110 companies, and the United States 88 exhibitors. Forty U.S. companies will exhibit within the North American Pavilion, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America, Chicago. According to show organizers, exhibiting within one of the specialized pavilions has proved to be an ideal way for small to medium-sized companies to make a greater impact at large trade shows and is an effective way to begin or increase overseas trade. In addition to exposure at the show, all technical work at the show is included as part of the pavilion exhibit, MDNA is available to assist with translators when needed, and the U.S. Commercial Service staff will be on hand to assist with export and licensing questions.

The Interpack hall layout will feature suppliers of packaging machinery in halls 4-6, 7a, 8 and 11-17, while packaging materials manufacturers will be found in halls 7 and 9-11, and confectionery machinery in halls 1-3 and parts of hall 4.

According to the show’s organizers, food and beverage-related themes at Interpack 2005 are expected to include:

Longer stability of packaged fresh food products

Aseptic inline filling of stretch-blown plastic bottles

Improved convenience packaging

Strong market presence with packaging that advertises

Increased availability of packaging systems in 24-hour operations

Flexible systems for assortment packages and special dimensions for sales campaigns

Ecological and economic optimization of packaging

Gentle handling of pressure-sensitive products

Traceability of food in the supply chain

PET bottles with further improvements in gastightness

Applications for active packaging concepts

Protecting the originality of brand-name products

Transparent foils with high levels of brilliance  and UV protection

RFID also is expected to be top of mind for attendees. Potential RFID applications will be the focus of a special presentation, and technical demonstrations of the delivery and sale of goods will allow visitors to watch the technology at work in several contexts. The session will include short talks given by representatives of businesses and institutions such as the European Retail Institute.

Interpack is sponsored by the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association within the German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers Association; the Central Federation of the Paper, Board and Plastics Converting Industry; Glass Industry and Mineral Fiber Industry Federation, Specialist Association of the Container Glass Industry; Plastics Packaging and Packaging Films Specialist Association within the General Association of the Plastics Processing Industry; Industrial Association of Plastics Packaging and Films; Aluminum Industry Federation; Association of the Chemical Industry; German Pulp and Paper Association; and the Metal Packaging Association.