Despite Covid-19 placing restrictions on face-to-face events and, consequently, some international exhibitors having to reluctantly withdraw their participation, Africa’s leading packaging, printing, plastics and labelling trade exhibition Propak Africa 2022 is hosting more than 200 exhibitors at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from March 8 to 11.

The exhibition boasts new innovations, technologies, products, machinery, systems and services, and includes co-located shows such as the GAPP Print Expo, Pro-Plas Expo, FoodPro Expo and Pro-Label Expo.

Many exhibitors will present live demonstrations of machinery and equipment at their stands. It is an event that covers multiple aspects of the industry and where the South African and African packaging and related industries can come together.

Exhibition management team Specialised Exhibitions tells Engineering News that several themed initiatives will be presented, with a new theme for every day of the exhibition.

“Day one will focus on new products and day two will highlight sustainability. Day three brings into focus the occupational health and safety of the industry, and on the last day the theme is ‘local is lekker’,” says Specialised Exhibitions portfolio director Mark Anderson.

Exhibitors

German engineering company Gneuss will present its new MRSjump extruder that can increase or stabilise the polyester viscosity to the desired level, thus removing the need for a downstream IV build-up.

For the first time, the processing of materials with low or highly fluctuating input viscosities is possible in a single extrusion step.

Further, Edenvale-based custom label printer company CCL Label has developed labels and sleeves that allow for recycling, a reduced carbon footprint and reuse.

Whether the packaging needs require packaging made from bio-based, low-density or recycled materials, CCL Label can meet client requirements.

While a product’s decoration might seem quite inconsequential, it plays a crucial role in making the overall packaging more sustainable.

Engineering solutions provider BMG, the official distributor of Ammeraal Baltech conveyor belt products and Regal Rexnord plastic conveyor belts to the plastics industry, will display new belting products and Modsort technology from Regal Rexnord.

Flexographic printers Labprint specialises in the printing of pharmaceutical blisterfoil, sachets and stick packs, and will showcase its products and services at the show.

The company can print up to four spot colours and specialise in short runs, quick turnaround and in-house artwork.

Packaging company Kube Packaging will showcase process and packaging plant equipment, and advanced coding and marking track and traceability technology.

While Propak Africa 2022 will showcase a variety of national and international exhibitors, next year’s Propak Cape is a regional event.

“As a major exporter of wine, fruit and other valuable commodities to international markets, the Western Cape is heavily reliant on the packaging and associated industries in realising the country’s export potential and the region’s all-important stake in earning valuable foreign exchange. Propak Africa and Propak Cape take place within 18 months of each other, with both shows in a three-year cycle,” explains Anderson.

He emphasises that the event will strictly adhere to all Covid-19 protocols, with a real-time counting system to ensure that the number of attendees does not exceed the maximum number allowed. Social distancing, the wearing of masks and access to hand sanitisers will be in place and enforced throughout the exhibition.

“We have enhanced the face-to-face experience with the latest online and digital technologies and this will continue into future exhibitions,” concludes Anderson.