PACK EXPO International 2022 Innovations Report

Back after four years, PACK EXPO International convened more than 44,000 attendees during its Oct. 23-26 run at Chicago’s McCormick Place, thus surpassing the 2018 event.

PMG Staff

Jan 28, 2023

With 2,200 exhibitors showcasing groundbreaking packaging and processing innovations over 1.2 million net sq ft, PACK EXPO International was the one and only time the entire industry came together last year.

“The success of PACK EXPO is a testament to our industry’s continued growth as well as PMMI’s commitment to bringing the industry together to share cutting-edge innovations,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “The event showcased countless end-to-end solutions, offering attendees everything they need to compete in a changing marketplace.”

Industry growth translated into buyers coming in significant numbers, ready to see the latest packaging materials as well as technology in action. Improving operations, reaching sustainability goals, and checking out new innovations are just a few of the drivers that brought consumer packaged goods (CPG) and life sciences companies to PACK EXPO International. The buzz on the show floor confirmed that exhibitors and attendees from companies of all sizes found a rewarding, and some claim unparalleled, experience at the four-day event.

Answering the need to come together, network and see advances, PACK EXPO International 2022 offered more show features than ever before, bringing value to all market segments.

A record-breaking Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) breakfast brought together nearly 1,000 professionals to hear Dawn Hudson, former Chief Marketing Officer at the National Football League and former President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America, talk about her experiences in the workforce. The PPWLN event, aimed at advancing the future of women in the packaging and processing industry, was sponsored by: Emerson, ID Technology, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Plexpack Corp., Septimatech Group Inc., and SMC Corporation of America.

Developing the future packaging and processing workforce was a top priority at PACK EXPO International with the largest number of students in attendance in the history of the event. More than 1,500 students attended the show and participated in many opportunities to get them excited about careers in this industry. In addition to the prestigious Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, educational Amazing Packaging Race sponsored by Emerson, and Students PACK the Expo programs, this year six teams faced off in a brand-new machine building PACK Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo.

With robust education offerings, the focus on developing our industry went beyond students. PACK EXPO International held over 120 education sessions, beginning with the one-day Emerging Brands Summit, making its debut at the show. The education continued throughout the show on various on-floor stages, offering educational sessions such as the Innovation Stage, Processing Innovation Stage, PACK to the Future Stage, The Forum, and Reusable Packaging Learning Center.

Additionally, the PACK EXPO Association Partner Program connected attendees to leading associations from all segments of packaging and processing. This year’s program was the largest in PACK EXPO history with 50 partners.

“We would like to thank PMMI’s Board of Directors, our membership, exhibitors, and all attendees who supported PACK EXPO International and made this show a tremendous success,” says Laura Thompson, VP trade shows, PMMI.

Once again the editors of PMMI Media Group were on the job covering the innovations shown by the exhibitors. Our report is divided into five main categories: Machinery, Food Processing & Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Robotics, and Controls (click on any link for more information). This report is brought to you by:

Matt Reynolds, Chief Editor, Packaging World

Pat Reynolds, Contributing Editor, Packaging World

Anne Marie Mohan, Senior Editor, Packaging World

David Greenfield, Director of Content/Editor-in-Chief, Automation World

Stephanie Neil, Editor in Chief, OEM Magazine

Keren Sookne, Director of Editorial Content, Healthcare Packaging

Aaron Hand, Editor-in-Chief, ProFood World

Melissa Griffen, Editor, Contract Manufacturing & Packaging

Casey Flanagan, Editorial Assistant, PMMI Media Group

Joe Derr, Contributing Editor, PMMI Media Group

Michael Costa, Senior Editor, ProFood World

Lilian Robayo Paez, Editor, Mundo PMMI

The winners of the 2022 Technology Excellence Awards at PACK EXPO International 2022 are:

• Proxima Tethered Closure (Berry Global, Inc.)

• IMA Ilapak Vegatronic 6400 (IMA North America Inc.)

• CueSee Mix/Dual Chambered Device for storage of liquids/powered/lyophilized components (Eurotrol)

• ClipCombo™ (Graphic Packaging International)

Click here to learn more about them.

Pharma and Medical Device Innovations

Searching specifically for PACK EXPO innovations related to pharma and medical devices? Healthcare Packaging magazine covered it, and you can access it. Read our coverage here, which will also appear in the next print edition of Healthcare Packaging.

Emerson

IMA Group

Septimatech Group Inc.

SMC Corporation of America

Plexpack Corp.

Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Berry Global Group, Inc.

ID Technology

Graphic Packaging International

Videos from Plexpack Corp.

VacPack VP3600 with Busch Vacuum Pump Product Showcase

Plexpack Sales Teams' Experience

Introducing the VP 3600 Powered Head Model | Product Showcase

Videos from Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Optimizing Spacing for Uncapped BBQ Bottles with Dual Metering

Automated 5-Pack Tin-Stacking System with Servo Control

Stacked Down Bottle Reject Solution for 50 mL Spirits Packaging

Videos from ID Technology

30 Years of Innovation ID Technology

465 ICS Zero Downtime Applying 4x8 Corner Wrap Labels on Filled and Sealed Cases

265 CarbonFlex™ Nose Down and ClearMark HR on Integrated Conveyor

Videos from Graphic Packaging International

Graphic Packaging Specialty Machinery

Variety Packing with Robotics, featuring the QuikFlex™300

ReShape™ Preview

Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing. Register now & save!

Our List of Cobot Palletizing Solutions

Are You Greenwashing?

Machinery Basics

A Look into the World of Cartoning Equipment

A Look at Feeding and Inserting Equipment on the Packaging Line

How Products are Loaded and Sealed into Pre-Made Bags and Pouches

Coding And Marking Equipment Package This Video

Coding & Marking Equipment: Why It’s So Important in Packaging

How Korpack Wins on Speed and Smarts

Inside Korpack’s rapid rise from packaging material sales to end-of-line contract packaging for major brands.

Alison Fragale, organizational psychologist and professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

PPWLN Breakfast at PACK EXPO Las Vegas Supports Women in Packaging and Processing

Through the Line: Packaging and Processing

Through the Line: Palm-Sized Carton Delivers 180 Doses of Skin Care

The ‘Polka King of the Midwest’ from 903 Brewers took top honors in Quad’s eye-tracking study, thanks to its bold illustrated face and playful packaging—proving that character-driven visuals can stop shoppers in their tracks and boost shelf appeal.

Beer Label Lessons: A Masterclass in Visual Engagement

Slurry & Solution Processing System for Accurate Liquid-Solid Blends

Conveying Innovations Report

Editors report on distinguishing characteristics that define each new product and collected video demonstrating the equipment or materials as displayed at the show. This topical report, winnowed from nearly 300 PACK EXPO collective booth visits, represents a categorized, organized account of individual items that were selected based on whether they were deemed to be both new, and truly innovative, based on decades of combined editorial experience in experiencing and evaluating PACK EXPO products.

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2024 PACK EXPO Innovations Reports

Exclusive access: Packaging World editor-curated reports revealing PACK EXPO's most groundbreaking technologies across food, healthcare, and machinery sectors. Each report features truly innovative solutions selected from hundreds of exhibitors by our expert team. Transform your operations with just one click.

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