New Name And Clear Direction For A Growth Region: Pacprocess MEA To Become Interpack MEA

pacprocess MEA will be known as interpack MEA in future and will continue to expand its role within the interpack alliance network. Messe Düsseldorf is thus strategically developing the event and strengthening its presence in the region. interpack MEA will continue to be held alongside Food Africa, creating additional opportunities for exhibitors and visitors to connect.

From 2026, there will be an interpack MEA. Six years after its inception, the former pacprocess MEA is thus focusing even more strongly on the international markets in the region. ‘The new name positions the trade fair as the central hub for the processing and packaging industry in the Middle East and Africa,’ says Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack and the interpack alliance. ‘It reflects the dynamic development of the industry and firmly anchors the event in our global network.’

This was announced during the opening ceremony of pacprocess MEA and the parallel event Food Africa, Africa’s most important food trade fair, which is also part of the interpack alliance. The trade fair duo will take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo. More than 1,200 exhibitors from 45 countries will be present, the exhibition grounds are fully booked, and numerous key players are on board. Both events also benefit from the support of the local business community, authorities, associations and Egyptian government organisations. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, and the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, among others.

Strong partnership combines expertise

Food Africa and the future interpack MEA are organised by Messe Düsseldorf in collaboration with its local partners IFP Group and Konzept. Both contribute in-depth market knowledge, many years of experience and a strong network – a combination that creates optimal conditions for exhibitors and trade visitors.

‘Industry in Egypt and the entire MEA region is investing heavily in efficiency, automation and quality standards. With the new interpack MEA brand, we are creating a link between this growing demand and international solutions that will enable the next step in development,’ says Tamer Safwat, Managing Director at Konzept – Exhibitions & Event Management. ‘With interpack MEA, we offer companies in the region exactly the platform they need for their growth course. We support them in investing more quickly, tapping into new technologies and positioning themselves more successfully in the market,’ says Albert Aoun, Chairman & CEO of IFP Group.

A location of strategic importance

The markets in the Middle East and Africa are among the fastest-growing regions in the global processing and packaging industry. The food packaging market here was worth around 23 billion US dollars in 2024 and is set to grow to more than 33 billion US dollars by 2032. Egypt plays a key role in this: the country is investing heavily in packaging and processing, establishing new production zones and modernising existing facilities. International brands are expanding their capacities, while local companies are professionalising their processes. With an expected market volume of around 4.9 billion US dollars in 2030, Egypt’s packaging market is one of the fastest growing in the world. This creates significant opportunities for innovation, market entry and investment for technology providers, machine manufacturers and material producers.

As interpack MEA, the trade fair continues to gain international appeal – supported by the continuity, trust and global recognition that have characterised the interpack brand for decades. It offers exactly the platform that this growth region needs to translate its potential into concrete projects and partnerships.

The first interpack MEA will take place from 7 to 10 December 2026.

www.messe-duesseldorf.de

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ALS User Meeting And Smart Factory Information Day

Digitalisation as a success factor

• Arburg provided practical information on ALS, arburgXworld and Smart Factory
• Practical relevance: Live demonstrations, expert and customer presentations
• Networking: Around 160 participants and specialists engaged in-depth exchange of expertise

Customers and interested parties were able to learn how to use digital tools to keep their production under control at two interlinked events held by Arburg in Lossburg. The Smart Factory Information Day on 26 November +2025 was designed specifically for beginners, while the ALS User Meeting on 26 and 27 November was aimed at users who already use Arburg’s MES. With a total of about 160 participants, both events were fully booked.

The events was designed to provide participants with practical information on how to use digital support to meet the current challenges in their production, as well as the needs of their customers. In addition, there were live demonstrations and best practice examples and also an opportunity to network with other users and with Arburg’s entire “Digital Solutions” team.Peter Kowalewski, Director of IT Digital Industrial Solutions, was delighted with the response: “These two events were attended by about 160 participants, all of whom were thoroughly impressed by the focused transfer of expertise and the in-depth networking”.

Exciting insights into Arburg’s MES and customer portal

The half-day event Smart Factory Information Day was designed by the Digital Solutions team at Arburg as an ’event with in-depth insights into digitalisation for greater transparency, flexibility and efficiency in production’. Among other things, the aim was to get to know and experience Arburg’s digital tools. These include the arburgXworld customer portal and the Arburg host computer system ALS, the company’s MES. This was also an opportunity to learn more about success stories that showcase the advantages of digitalisation. At the user meeting the following day, ALS users then obtained detailed information about the innovations and developments of the Arburg host computer system, the customer portal and the control assistants.

Practical presentations by users for users

On both days, this exclusive expertise transfer event took the form of presentations by Arburg specialists as well as ALS users. Lukas Krüger from Arburg’s Technical Sales department explained how digital assistants can make companies more efficient, while keynote speaker Tobias Herwig, Managing Director of fischer Consulting GmbH, shed light on this topic in his practical presentation entitled “Lean and Digital Processes for Competitiveness in Production”. Further practical insights were provided by Sembach, Novapax, H&K Müller, ZF Lifetec, Trelleborg and Presspart.

“These practical presentations by customers for customers were just as valuable as the opportunity to speak directly with development specialists from Arburg. The consistently positive feedback on our digital products and services once again underlined that we are among the pioneers in the industry when it comes to digitalisation”, said Benjamin Franz, Manager of Digital Solutions who was delighted with the success of these two events.

www.arburg.com

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Iperal Transforms Fresh Supply Chain With Tosca’s Automation-Ready Reusable Plastic Crates

Iperal, one of Northern Italy’s most dynamic supermarket chains, has built its reputation on quality, service and a close connection to the communities it serves. With 56 stores, more than 50,000 employees and an expanding fresh offering, the retailer’s operations have grown significantly since its founding in 1986. This growth reached a new milestone in 2025 with the opening of the Fresh Food Centre in Giussano (MB), a 50,000 m facility designed to manage fresh products and Iperal’s own “Fatto da Noi” (Made by Us) range. Equipped with fully automated systems and powered by 4,300 solar panels, the new hub sets new standards of efficiency, quality and sustainability.

The launch of the new centre prompted Iperal to rethink a long-standing logistical challenge: the reliance on cardboard, plastic and wooden crates to move fruit and vegetables from suppliers to stores. These single-use and mixed-material solutions generated large volumes of waste, contributed to unstable pallet handling, and led to inconsistent in-store presentation across locations. With the opening of the Fresh Food Centre, Iperal saw a clear opportunity to move away from single-use materials and invest in a more efficient, sustainable solution compatible with automation that would support both the company’s growth and its environmental commitments.

Tosca’s reusable, automation-ready plastic crates deliver transformation

Iperal selected Tosca’s Wood Look reusable plastic crates (RPCs) and bins to create a streamlined, sustainable and automation-ready packaging system. Designed for resilience and repeat use, the RPCs combine the aesthetic appeal of a traditional wooden display with the durability, hygiene and product protection of plastic. This wood-look finish helps create clean, attractive and well-organised shelves that elevate the shopper experience and support increased sales. Through Tosca’s pooling model, each crate is collected, cleaned and redeployed multiple times, eliminating the waste associated with single-use packaging and providing a cost-efficient circular solution.

Today, Iperal uses Tosca’s 60×40 and 30×40 RPCs in multiple heights as well as larger bins that move seamlessly from suppliers to the Fresh Food Centre and onward to stores. Their standardised footprint and consistent build quality enable smooth handling, efficient stacking, and uniform presentation of fresh products once in store – an important element of Iperal’s customer experience.

“Our partnership with Iperal is a great example of how reusable packaging can unlock both operational and environmental value,” says Gian Paolo Mezzanotte, Managing Director – Italy, France, Spain at Tosca. “By introducing a standardised,

reusable system, we’ve helped simplify logistics, enhance product quality, and support Iperal’s long-term sustainability goals.”

A visible leap in efficiency, sustainability, and automation performance

Since making the transition, Iperal has observed clear benefits. Pallet stability has increased, making handling safer and more predictable – an essential advantage for an automated facility. The consistent crate dimensions streamline stacking and movement through the warehouse, helping reduce downtime and supporting a smooth material flow. The simplification of waste management has also been significant, with less reliance on single-use materials and fewer disposal processes required.

Tosca’s solutions have integrated into Iperal’s automated systems with ease and delivered measurable improvements in operational efficiency: “Tosca’s automation-ready RPCs fit seamlessly into our existing lines, ensuring smooth handling, consistent stacking, and reliable flow through every stage of the automated process,” explains Lorenzo Zecca – Supply Chain Director at Iperal. We’ve seen faster throughput, fewer stops on the line, and more consistent performance overall. The durability and uniformity of the RPCs have reduced disruptions, improving both efficiency and reliability across our operation and supply chains.”

In stores, shoppers now encounter fresh products presented in a cleaner, more uniform way, reinforcing Iperal’s commitment to quality. The crates’ durability protects produce more effectively during transport, contributing to a reduction in damage and a more reliable supply of high-quality goods.

Environmentally, the shift to reusable packaging supports Iperal’s broader sustainability commitments – reducing packaging waste, lowering CO emissions, and promoting more responsible use of resources. While precise savings are still being measured, the benefits are visible every day in smoother operations, reduced waste, and an enhanced shopping experience for customers.

A growing partnership shaping the future of Iperal’s supply chain

The success of the collaboration has inspired Iperal to expand the use of Tosca’s reusable assets to additional suppliers, including partners in Spain and the Netherlands. The retailer is also exploring ways to enhance its in-store replenishment operations to improve ergonomics and efficiency further. Describing the collaboration as “constructive, productive, and efficient”, Iperal views Tosca as a strategic partner in building a smarter, greener supply chain fit for the future.

www.toscaltd.com

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