From:packagingeurope

Hispack is setting itself a double challenge at its next edition, on 21 to 24 April 2015 at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via exhibition centre: ensuring its offering and activities feature the necessary innovations and trends that will define the development of new packaging, and helping companies in the sector to find the contacts and opportunities they need to export to both the EU and emerging markets, especially the Mediterranean region and Latin America.

With some 620 direct exhibitors expected to take part, the leading packaging trade show in Spain will be shining a spotlight on technologies, processes, sustainability, new materials, smart packaging, customization, logistics and point of purchase advertising, amongst other areas. Hispack -which will cover the entire packaging value chain- is determined to bring in exhibitors who can provide innovative solutions for the manufacture of packaging in response to demands from visitors to the show from the sectors of food and beverages, perfumery and cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The president of Hispack's organizing committee, Javier Riera Marsá, sees the show's turnaround to involve visitors right from the outset and thus improve the show's effectiveness and return on investment as a real success: "We've taken a step forward and asked the sectors that buy packaging exactly what they're looking for so we can provide it. We're very much aware that the demand for innovations in materials, processes and products to optimize costs, to be more sustainable and to sell more at the point of sale will define the forthcoming edition."

New areas
In this respect, Hispack is including two new areas: the first of these is TrendPack, featuring companies with solutions for sustainable, smart, multi-channel, convenience and customizable packaging with an interest in making contact with packaging, business, R+D+I and marketing managers from companies in numerous sectors seeking to add value and make their products stand out through packaging.

Another brand new section is PremiumPack, an area devoted to packaging for high-end cosmetics, perfumery, gourmet food and drink products and jewellery. This space comes in response to the anticipated growth in demand for packaging that adds exclusivity and glamour to luxury products. The British consultancy company Smithers Pira has estimated this growth at an annual rate of 4.4% over the next five years.

Confirmed bookings as of November 2014
With just five months to go before the event opens, Hispack has already received confirmation from 338 companies in 15 countries (Germany, Belgium, China, South Korea, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Taiwan, Turkey and the UK) with 80% of the planned exhibition space already booked.

By sectors, machinery and accessories for packaging currently account for the most exhibitors, followed by raw materials, packaging materials, and labelling, coding and marking equipment. Growth has also been noted in the sectors of handling and logistics and PoP.

Hispack will be held at the same time as the food technology fair Bta. By uniting the commercial offering of the two trade fairs, it is expected that more than 1,100 direct exhibitors and over 35,000 trade visitors will be hosted by the shows next April.

Given that the food and beverage industry is the main user of packaging, Hispack & Bta combine synergies to demonstrate the different phases of food production, from ingredients through to the manufacturing process, embracing packing, packaging and final delivery to the point of sale. This alliance, as demonstrated at the last three editions of the event, is certainly no hindrance for all the other major packaging buying sectors to attend Hispack (cosmetics, perfumery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automobiles, domestic electrical appliances, household goods, etc.) in search of processing and packaging solutions to make them more competitive.

Access to new markets
As well as being a benchmark for the packaging industry and galvanizing sales in Spain and Portugal, Hispack is also an excellent platform for making contacts with new buyers from Europe, the Mediterranean region and Latin America. The show's current goal is to expand export opportunities for its exhibitors and in conjunction with Bta it is developing promotional programmes in ten countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Venezuela). At the same time, work is ongoing on the organization of reverse trade missions and business meetings between delegations of trade professionals and exhibitors based on the selection of around 50 buyers with purchasing power from Russia, India, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Ghana and South Africa.

Finally, Hispack will also be a hub of knowledge, networking, debate, training and trendsetting in the world of packaging and PoP thanks to its different activities. The show organized by Fira de Barcelona in collaboration with the Graphispack Association is strengthening the Pack & Logistic Corner, which will feature short conferences at which experts will present success stories, good practices and innovations. Subject will range from design and logistics to e-commerce, distribution, materials, processes, PoP and branding, amongst others.

Hispack is also preparing a specific project to showcase applications and innovations associated with the technological phenomenon of the Internet of Things (IoT) which facilitates digital connectivity between the internet and everyday objects such as packaging. There will also be a series of technical talks, conferences and seminars, supported by sector organizations, plus the Liderpack Awards, an international benchmark thanks to its connection with the WorldStar Packaging Awards, which recognize the best packaging "made in Spain."