Innovation unwrapped: Explore the future of packaging at Propak Africa
In just a few weeks, the doors will open to South Africa's premier trade showcase, Propak Africa, where the latest innovations across packaging, printing, plastics, food processing and labelling, will be unwrapped.
Taking place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 11-14 March 2025, this triennial event has become a trusted hub for industry professionals striving to stay ahead in an ever-changing market.
The South African packaging industry is influenced by a range of factors, including rising competition, urbanisation, shifting consumer preferences, technological advancements, sustainability concerns, population growth, and economic changes. Increasing energy and raw material costs have further highlighted the need for energy-efficient, automated production lines. By integrating AI and digital machinery, manufacturers can enhance quality control, reduce waste, and minimise human error, allowing operators to manage multiple machines with less intervention.
Plastic packaging remains a key component of South Africa's packaging sector, driven by demand from the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets for its durability, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness. At the same time, growing interest in recyclable and sustainable materials is reshaping the industry, encouraging local suppliers to innovate and develop solutions that address both industry requirements and environmental concerns.
Propak Africa promises an unparalleled opportunity to explore many of these new technologies and materials. From sustainable packaging solutions and recyclability to the newest technologies in smart labelling, printing and advanced processing, attendees will discover a wealth of resources to enhance their business operations. With South Africa’s leading innovators, suppliers, and thought leaders in attendance, this event offers the ideal environment for networking, collaboration, and exploration of the latest industry trends.
“The show will be more than double the size of the 2022 event, featuring over 500 exhibitors and displaying thousands of new products, technologies and services,” says Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group and organisers of the show. “Propak Africa is also home to four co-located events—specialised shows that provide even more value—Pro-Plas Expo, The GAPP Print Expo, FoodPro Expo, and Pro-Label Expo.”
“Automation and digitisation will be significant themes at Propak Africa, not only for general packaging but also within the plastics, printing and processing sectors. Exhibitors are keen to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies, from automated machinery to advanced materials, enabling companies to increase efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness across production lines.”
Over the four day event, Propak Africa will also provide visitors with an opportunity to enhance their industry knowledge by attending complimentary seminars taking place in the two Seminar Theatres at the show. Visitors will hear from industry specialists sharing their insights and expertise. Reflecting the show’s themed days, the diverse programme covers a range of topics, including the latest industry innovations and technologies, recyclability and sustainability, and the recognition of local creativity and excellence, amongst others.
Complementing the seminars, the Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA) will host three focused half-day conferences, adding depth and expertise to Propak Africa’s knowledge-sharing platform.
“To assist visitors in planning effectively, the OneMatch Business Networking Tool enables attendees to schedule one-on-one meetings in advance with the suppliers they want to meet. Additionally, the new WhatsApp Concierge Service at Propak Africa provides on-demand event information and live chat functionality for quick assistance, ensuring a smoother and more efficient visitor experience,” explains Anderson.
“We’re excited about the show and ready to deliver an engaging, value-packed event,” he concludes.
Propak Africa 2025 is supported by The Institute of Packaging SA, Packaging SA, Plastics SA, and Printing SA. For more information and to register to attend, visit www.propakafrica.co.za.
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