foodpro 2023 Day Three Highlights

Tuesday was the biggest day of foodpro 2023 so far with the most visitors through the door. Exhibitors were run off their feet with invaluable contacts made and deals implemented.

Zone focuses – Processing and packaging materials

Processing and Packaging formed the largest part of the foodpro exhibition floor this year.

ULMA – New plastic reducing machine

Specialising in the design and manufacture of packaging equipment systems and services, Ulma showcased a range of their machines on a massive space on the foodpro floor. Ulma reps say one machine in particular – the Flow Pack (HFFS) drew keen interest. These machines are used for high productions in horizontal packing using a single film coil with three weldings. Ulma say they are already using flow wrap plastic for meat tray products in Aldi Queensland, with the advantage that it uses 70 per cent less plastic compared to conventionally wrapped trays. The machine can also be used to wrap paper packaging around certain food items such as apples which they had on display, which the company is hoping will catch on more.

GREAT WRAP – Great connections made

It’s been a great show for business success story Great Wrap. A material science company which started just four years ago with a mission to end reliance on plastic, Great Wrap manufacture the world’s first compostable Cling Wrap and Pallet Wrap. Reps report they had constant visitors to their stand from day one, eager to use the wrap for their manufacturing purposes. Great Wrap says many businesses have major environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals to eliminate plastic, so their product has generated great leads at foodpro. As first time exhibitors, the company says foodpro has been their most successful trade show to date. Founded by young husband and wife team Julia and Jordy Kay, Great Wrap has drawn great media interest in the last year having appeared in feature TV segments on Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens, as well as the ABC’s Landine most recently.

FLEXOPACK – Commitment to sustainable packaging

Leading producer of flexible packaging used by major meat and cheese companies globally, Flexopack showcased their commitment to investing in the latest technologies and their commitment to sustainability. This includes reducing the carbon footprint of their production process, reducing energy consumption, water usage and waste output.  The company produces some of the most advanced shrink bags in the world for food packaging applications. These include the FlexoShrink shrink bags, produced with the latest extrusion technology, FlexoShrink Flowpack Films, which combine increased toughness with high performance formability and FlexoShrink Forming/Non-Forming films which are thermoforming films incorporating advanced sealing technology.

THE LUME – A Visual Art Feast

Sponsored by Contech, the foodpro Celebration at THE LUME was an unmissable evening  for all event participants to network and celebrate in an immersive sensory experience. THE LUME at the MCEC is an adventure into art where the walls come alive as light ripples across every surface with curated tastes, aromas and a choreographed soundtrack. Currently exhibiting, as a new addition to the expo program foodpro visitors were treated to a truly premium experience.

Speaker presentations:

Brett Wiskar from Wiley kicked of the day at the Wiley Product Innovation Stage  with one of the most anticipated presentations – Game Changing future trends in food – which explored the trends in investment in food facilities and how new tech trends will change production. Milan Bawa from Siemens delved into the topic of Digitisation and how this along with decarbonisation will create opportunities for manufacturers to unlock potential by implementing digital strategies. At the Smart Food Lounge by Schneider Electric stage, the topic of Leveraging bio-based food ingredient solutions to reduce food waste was discussed by Eugene Seah from Corbion Asia Pacific. Targets of climate change, ESG and sustainable development goals (SDGs) were examined. Meanwhile innovative packs that have recently won PIDA Awards and WorldStar Packaging Awards were highlighted in the AIP session – Sustainable Packaging Design for the food industry.

The show continues until July 26. Stay tuned for more exciting highlights tomorrow.