The signs are pointing to growth: the Supplier fair for the food and beverage industry „Anuga FoodTec“ opens from 20 to 23 March 2018 opened its doors at the Cologne Exhibition Centre and is delighted with the rising number of exhibitors. More than 100 new companies from the Packaging industry have played a significant role in this.
Every three years, Koelnmesse GmbH organises what it considers to be the leading international trade fair for all aspects of food production. This time, the number of exhibitors is expected to increase by 13 per cent to 1,700, according to the team around Event manager Matthias Schlüter. Accordingly, the industry show will also occupy eight per cent more space, namely 140,000 square metres. In addition to the familiar Halls 4.2, 5.2, 6 to 9 and 10.1, Hall 10.2 will be newly occupied for „Anuga FoodTec 2017“.
The „Food Packaging“ area at „Anuga FoodTec“ is traditionally located in Halls 7 and 8. Due to the boom in exhibitors this year, parts of Hall 9 will now also be dedicated to packaging machines, packaging materials, automation solutions and control and regulation technology. „Industry 4.0“ will play a very special role in many of the solutions on show. New technologies for packaging food and beverages more safely and with a longer shelf life will also be on show.
Unique success concept allows Anuga FoodTec to grow further
Why is „Anuga FoodTec“ so successful? What will be the key trade fair trends for the packaging industry? Matthias Schlüter, „Director Anuga FoodTec“ at Koelnmesse GmbH, answers these questions in an interview with „packaging journal“.
pj: Mr Schlüter, you presented the programme for the next Anuga FoodTec in Parma. What was the reason for this?
Matthias Schlüter: With Parma, we have chosen a place that stands for the careful production of food. The production of the famous Parma ham follows a centuries-old tradition and at the same time utilises state-of-the-art food production techniques. At the same time, the partnership between the „Fiere di Parma“ and Koelnmesse made Parma an ideal venue for the press conference.
pj: What makes Cologne so attractive as a trade fair location for a supplier fair for the food industry?
Matthias Schlüter: Cologne is the number one trade fair centre for 25 economic sectors. Around 80 trade fairs, guest events and special events every year make Koelnmesse one of the world's leading trade fair organisers. One of the successful strategic cornerstones is the „Global Competence in Food and FoodTec“ area of expertise. Trade fairs such as Anuga, ISM and Anuga FoodTec are established as leading global trade fairs at the location. By combining them with activities in other growth markets around the world, we offer our customers customised events and synergy effects for successful and sustainable business. But it is certainly also the unique concept that makes Anuga FoodTec continue to grow year after year. It covers the entire production chain. The large and spectacular exhibitor presentations show applications live in action. Entire production lines are set up and operated for the duration of the trade fair.
Cologne is also easy to reach for exhibitors and visitors in the heart of Europe.
pj: What trends have characterised the food industry since the last trade fair three years ago?
Matthias Schlüter: I would like to highlight „just“ three trends here. Firstly, the topic of „sustainability and resource efficiency“ is a constant. It had a permanent place at the previous Anuga FoodTec and will have it again this time. Solutions and innovations will be presented that focus on the efficient use of energy and water and the reduction of food losses in production.
Another challenge for the sector remains the topic of „Industry 4.0“. Control technology is becoming increasingly important in order to ensure the networking of various system components. As a result, companies that may previously have seen themselves more as metalworkers must also offer software solutions in order to fulfil customer requirements. Our trade visitors can experience the latest state of the art and find out how they can organise their production processes for the future.
Another trend: consumers are becoming increasingly demanding and require food to be safe and harmless to health. Of course, this also applies equally to organic products. Only if they are processed using the latest technology can food manufacturers guarantee, for example, that there are no foreign bodies in the products or that the shelf life is extended using the latest packaging techniques without altering the food as such.
pj: How has the „Food Packaging“ sector developed since the last Anuga FoodTec?
Matthias Schlüter: Compared to the last trade fair, we have been able to attract over 100 new exhibitors from the packaging sector, meaning that we were no longer able to accommodate the companies in Halls 7 and 8, which were previously fully booked. Numerous suppliers will now also be presenting their offerings in Hall 9. Obviously, word has got around that the previous exhibitors were very satisfied with their trade fair results. We are therefore noticing a strong trend that more and more packaging manufacturers are discovering Anuga FoodTec for themselves who previously exhibited at packaging trade fairs.
pj: What makes Anuga FoodTec particularly interesting for visitors from the packaging industry this year?
Matthias Schlüter: In the „Food Packaging“ area, everything revolves around packaging machines, packaging materials, automation, control and regulation technology. With around 700 exhibitors from the packaging industry, visitors can expect and, above all, experience an enormous variety of new products and innovations. „How can I further increase the shelf life of my food with new packaging solutions such as new oxygen barriers, leak testing or high-pressure processing?“ „Which virtual reality solutions are already available and do I need to embrace this trend because my customers expect it from me?“ „How can I specifically increase my output through Industry 4.0 by reducing my machine downtimes through predictive maintenance?“ These are just a few of the questions to which visitors from the packaging sector will find answers at Anuga FoodTec. The „Robotics Pack Line“ will certainly be a highlight once again. Here, visitors can experience a complete packaging line live in action, which is operated at just four bar instead of the usual eight bar. For every bar of pressure saved, a reduction in energy consumption of around eight per cent is normally calculated, meaning that the line requires around 30 per cent less energy than usual.
