„Hip gold“ must be well packaged. The success of a sweet or snack with those with a sweet tooth comes not least from good packaging. At ProSweets Cologne from 27 to 30 January 2019, manufacturers and retailers will find plenty of inspiration for current and new packaging design. The supplier fair for the confectionery and snack industry will once again occupy Hall 10.1 of the Cologne exhibition centre. As usual, ISM, the world's leading trade fair for confectionery and snacks, will be organised in eight exhibition halls in Cologne at the same time as ProSweets.
Traditionally Packaging, packaging materials and packaging technology important areas of the ProSweets. According to the trade fair survey, 46 per cent of the more than 20,000 visitors to ProSweets 2018 were interested in packaging, while a further 36 per cent came with an even more specific interest in finding out about packaging machines.
The organisers are also expecting the new edition to be Cologne Trade Fair We expect at least as many visitors again at ProSweets. More than 300 exhibitors will be presenting their products and services for the production and packaging of confectionery and snacks as well as their ingredients. At the parallel ISM over 1,700 exhibitors and almost 38,000 trade visitors are expected.
Proven special shows for creative ideas
The programme of special shows at ProSweets has proven its worth. Trade visitors can look forward to special shows on the topics of „Newcomers“ and „Ingredients“. Of interest to packaging fans is the special show „Packaging - Function meets design“. Here, companies and research institutions are given the opportunity to present creative ideas with innovative packaging materials and new product concepts.
Among others, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies from Munich is taking part. The institute will be demonstrating how intelligent sensors can be used for Quality control can be integrated into packaging. The packaging design agency „pacoon“ will also be represented with a sustainability course for packaging and design.
On the special area „Sweet Trends“ on the boulevard at the transition to the packaging area, visitors can gain insights into the latest packaging trends for confectionery and snacks. The area is organised by the market research company Innova Market Insights.
Environmentally friendly packaging is the trend
One important requirement customers have for packaging is that it is Environmental compatibility, reports Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights. Packaging made from biodegradable or renewable materials would be well received. Packaging manufacturers are called upon to pay attention to the use of resources and use packaging materials as sparingly as possible.
The trend described above does not necessarily mean that all confectionery will be packaged in folding cartons in future. Rather, experts are observing a trend towards pouch packaging and film solutions. The global demand for Plastic pouch packaging in the food sector will grow by an average of around 4.2 per cent per year until 2025, Koelnmesse reports in its ProSweets announcement.
Stand-up pouches for crisps, chocolates or nuts
Manufacturers fulfil the desire for practical manageability by, for example Stand-up pouch offer. They are resealable, handy, lightweight and unbreakable. Snacks such as vegetable crisps, nuts or chocolate pralines, as well as seasonal products, are often packaged in them.
Another trend identified by the Confectionery packaging industry discovered individualisation. Customers are increasingly demanding customised packaging. Visitors to ProSweets will discover many digital printing solutions for this. Digital printing is particularly attractive for small and medium-sized manufacturers. It can be used to produce high-quality Folding boxes in small and medium runs on digital printing machines. Label printers that can be used to produce customised labels for confectionery will also be on show.
