Company Announcement - Conferences and workshops hosted by the Institute of Packaging of Southern Africa, Plastics SA and Printing SA will run alongside Propak Africa 2016, taking place at the Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg, from 15-18 March 2016. The South African and African packaging and related industries will take centre stage at Africa’s largest packaging, food processing, printing, plastics and labelling trade exhibition, which will afford hundreds of local and international exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest products, equipment, machinery and services.  

Conferences and workshops have also been confirmed and will be hosted by the Institute of Packaging of Southern Africa (IPSA), Plastics SA and Printing SA (PIFSA). In addition, Pavlo Phitidis, owner of Aurik, a business incubator company, and regular co-host on The 702 Money show, will be running sessions alongside the show aimed at c-suite executives from the industry.  Topics will include: how to grow your business from an SMME to a medium sized or large organisation, how to do business into Africa and how to tackle legislative requirements in SA, including BEE.

The IPSA Propak Africa Packaging Conference will be taking place on 17 March 2016 and will be devoted to bringing the African packaging industry together to share insights into new innovations, stimulate and motivate developments, and encourage knowledge sharing. The latest thinking will be highlighted in a comprehensive packaging based agenda. Delegates will be able to gain an in depth understanding on how brand owners, retailers, converters and suppliers all work together to foster a dynamic and innovative solution-based approach addressing current market demand focused on expansion into the African region. The conference will share valuable insights from industry experts from across the African packaging value chain. The format will set the stage for extensive knowledge sharing and encourage networking opportunities across various industries. VDS Media will be managing the event on behalf of IPSA.

IPSA will also be hosting various specialised workshops alongside Propak Africa, developed specifically for the IPSA Advanced Packaging Programme. These workshops are structured as interactive knowledge-enhancing sessions facilitated by a leading specialist in the field concerned. Workshop topics being considered include: Packaging Supply Chain Management, Packaging Quality Control, Corrugated and Paper Board Packaging, Plastic Packaging – Rigid and Flexibles, Packaging and the Environment – the Law & The Facts, and an Overview of Statutory Requirements regarding Food Packaging.

Printing SA (PIFSA) will be running a number of training courses and there will also be a high-level conference (in conjunction with Sentient Publishing) for senior decision makers in the printing industry. Plastics SA will also host a conference alongside Propak Africa. “We are delighted that industry conferences and workshops will be taking place alongside Propak Africa and that IPSA, Printing SA (PIFSA) and Plastics SA are lending their support and recognition to this exhibition,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, organisers of the show. “It adds tremendous value for visitors and exhibitors. These organisations are to be commended for their efforts in maintaining and promoting the advancement of the high standards prevalent in the South African packaging and related industries today.”

A showcase for the latest products and technologies, Propak Africa will offer visitors the opportunity to see state-of-the-art equipment as well as a vast array of machinery, auxiliary products and services. Visitors can expect to see many leading-edge South African companies in the packed halls, as well as high-profile international exhibitors from countries such as India, China, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, France, Turkey, Greece, the UAE and the United Kingdom.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response from companies and 80% of available exhibition space has been sold. We are confident that the show will be a sell-out,” says Joshua Low, Propak Africa Event Director. “We are expecting high visitor attendance at the 2016 show and believe that it will be a successful and enjoyable event for all participants.”

“Innovations on show will include the latest packaging materials that meet the new regulation standards that have placed further responsibility on manufacturers to ensure packaging has a limited negative effect on the environment; new technologies coming out of the local plastics industry such as the growth in biodegradable plastic packaging which is being fuelled by consumer demand for more environmentally sustainable products; and, the processed-food sector’s answer to the general trend towards convenience and indulgence, driven by an increased consumer demand for processed foods.”

The South African packaging industry works diligently to ensure a move towards environmentally friendly products and many companies make huge financial investments into the recycling process. New innovations in both these areas will be showcased at Propak Africa. “The negative environmental impact of waste is increasing and it is imperative that there is growing support and recognition of waste management,” says Low. “Encouraging waste reduction by embracing reduce, re-use and recycling initiatives is a message going out across all levels of society, with awareness and education campaigns playing an important role. Propak Africa will also play its part in bringing greater awareness to these important initiatives.”

Top companies that can be seen at Propak Africa and co-located shows include Acepak, Afripack, Afritrade, Bernd Triebiger Enterprises, Bidvest Afcom, Bosch Packaging Technology, Filmatic, Filtec Automation, Future Packaging, Golden Era Group, Graphix Supply World, Hestico, HG Molenaar, Inoxpa South Africa, JPak, MGSA, Multivac Southern Africa, Nissei ASB, Pakmatic, Pakmax, PMD Packaging, Polyoak, Pyrotechnical Marketing, Qualitechs, Rotocon, Trempack Trading, Relloy SA Ulma Packaging Systems SA, USS Pactech, Yaskawa SA, amongst many others.

Contact Leatitia van Straten, Marketing Director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery at email leatitiavs@specialised.com for further information. Or visit the website www.propakafrica.co.za