Find Out What's New At PACK EXPO International 2014

Whether they are contending with changing regulatory environments or striving to meet customer demands for greater sustainability measures, the ways food manufacturers address today’s challenges will impact future success.

This fall, PACK EXPO International 2014 (November 2-5; McCormick Place, Chicago), North America’s largest processing and packaging event, will serve as a hub for the innovation food manufacturers need. And, bolstered by the debut of the co-located Pharma EXPO, PACK EXPO will offer unique opportunities for new ideas and innovations to cross between industries.

PACK EXPO is owned and produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

To help food brand owners, processors, and manufacturers more easily navigate the 1.15 million net square feet of exhibit space and locate the solutions and suppliers they need, PACK EXPO International includes industry-specific pavilions and features such as The Brand Zone and The Processing Zone.  

Regardless of the market segments you serve, you’ll find plenty to help you reach your business goals:

• The Brand Zone (Upper North Hall) will help brand owners break the mold, with innovative containers and materials to interrupt the retail landscape, broaden your appeal, enhance your shelf presence and extend shelf life. The 11th Annual Showcase of Packaging Innovations™, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company, will display an inspiring array of award-winning package designs from all over the world.
• The Processing Zone (Upper Lakeside) is a hub spotlighting the latest in processing technology. But PACK EXPO is about encountering innovation across your entire supply chain and you’ll find suppliers who can help you develop total systems solutions throughout the exhibit halls.
• The Reusable Packaging Pavilion (Upper Lakeside) will offer ways for you to explore methods of reducing waste, slashing shipping costs, protecting your goods, and increasing productivity and your bottom line. Whether you are looking to newly invest in reusable packaging or get more out of assets you already own, this pavilion is an excellent place to start. 
• There will be an abundance of free educational opportunities at PACK EXPO International. Seminars on breakthrough technologies and techniques with applications in a wide variety of industries will be featured at three Innovation Stage locations throughout PACK EXPO alone. The Food Safety Summit Resource Center (Booth # S-2962), organized and owned by Food Safety Summit and co-sponsored by GE Intelligent Platforms, will present subject matter experts on critical food safety matters like the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). At the Center for Trends & Technology (CTT) (Booth # S-3907) you can learn about the absolute latest technologies and emerging trends on topics such as machine safety, the Internet of Things, serialization and line optimization.

Here is a sneak peek of just some of the innovations you can expect to see at the show: 

• Space-saving Bagger Maximizes Flexibility
  On display at PACK EXPO International 2014, the compact Flexibag Si-500 from Circle Packaging Machinery (Booth #S-2001) saves customers valuable floor space. The machine’s four side-sealed sachets are equipped with different contour sealing and easy-opening options. The user-friendly touchscreen operator interface includes product information, alarms, warning messages and production data. Up to 40 product records can be stored for retrieval through the PanelView Plus 6 1000 touchscreen operator interface. The electrical package on the Flexibag includes CE/UL approved “touch-safe” components and quick-disconnect sensors and actuators to prevent workplace injury.
• Flexible Packaging Takes Shape
  Conservacube (Booth # N-5283) will introduce its unique cube-shaped, stackable, FlexiPAIL at PACK EXPO this year. The FlexiPAIL is appropriate for dry, free flowing products up to 55 pounds and serves multiple industries including food, pet, lawn and garden, pool, chemical and household products. Because it uses less material than rigid packaging alternatives, the FlexiPAIL also enhances sustainability efforts and reduces materials costs for manufacturers.
• New Bagger Speeds Cleaning and Changeover Processes
  Bosch Packaging Technology's (Booth #S-3514) SVC platform is now available with ultrasonic sealing technology, which can be applied to all Bosch vertical baggers. In particular, the SVC 4020 will be displayed with this sealing method, which is ideal for products whose quality would be affected by contamination of the sealing seams and leakage. This includes fresh and frozen food like salad, frozen spinach and shredded cheese. By using high frequency vibrations, product residues are removed from the sealing area ensuring package integrity and increased OEE. In addition, manufacturers benefit from lower material consumption due to reduced sealing width compared to hot sealing. Hot-tacking effects are minimized because the friction generated between the two film layers creates the sealing temperature precisely on the area where needed. Therefore, ultrasonic sealing technology is also ideal for thermo-sensitive products such as chocolate.
• Versatile FFS Machinery
  Parsons-Eagle Packaging Systems (Booth #S-2001) will display its new Phaser XP Vertical form/fill/seal machine at PACK EXPO International 2014. The Phaser XP is capable of producing over 60 pillow, gusseted or flat-bottom packages per minute, with dimensions ranging from 2 inches to 13 inches wide and 3 inches to 15 inches long. Its open architecture allows for easy changeover and maintenance.

To register for PACK EXPO International 2014, visit packexpointernational.com. A discounted registration rate of $30 applies until Oct. 3, when it increases to $60.