Ucima at Pack Expo International and Gulfood Manufacturing

5 November 2024

The Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers' Association is taking part in two important international events

Italian packaging will take centre stage at two important international events in Chicago and Dubai.

Italy is one of the top exhibiting countries at Pack Expo Chicago (3 to 6 November) with a delegation of more than 100 companies. Around 70 of these are exhibiting independently, while the following 25 are hosted in the Italian Pavilion: Alimec, Altech, Bonfiglioli Engineering, Botta Ecopackaging, Camozzi Automation, Crocco, Dipran, Easysnap Technology, Ecopack, Galdi, Ghezzi & Annoni, Gorreri, Ica Usa, Imeta, Industria Termoplastica Pavese, LM, Minipan, Packint Chocolate Machines, Ricciarelli, Technowrapp, Tecnopool, Tecnovap, Tiber Pack, Torq Packaging and Unifill.

Ucima also organised an event in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency ITA entitled Italian Networking Night@Pack Expo, which was held on the evening of Sunday 3 November at the University Club of Chicago. The event provided an important opportunity to promote Italy's premier packaging exhibition Ipack-Ima and Ucima's international brand We Make Packaging.

Italy is the USA's second largest trading partner in the packaging machinery sector, behind Germany but ahead of Canada. In 2023, Italy's total exports to the USA amounted to €1.04 billion, representing a 22% share of the total market, a 31.3% increase from 2022. The United States is the primary export destination for Italian packaging machinery, accounting for 16.6% of the sector's total exports. In the first six months of 2024, the US imported €2.28 billion worth of packaging machinery, a 6.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Italy remained the second-largest exporter, with €435 million, slightly down from the first half of 2023.

In collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency ITA, Ucima will also be present at Gulfood Manufacturing from 5 to 7 November 2024, where it will have an official stand to provide assistance to Italian companies visiting the event. Last but not least, Ucima is organising a networking event entitled "Business Talk on Italian Packaging Machinery in the UAE" in partnership with an important UAE-based international group operating in the Food & Beverage sector and with the support of the Italian Trade Agency ITA.

In 2023, the United Arab Emirates imported packaging machinery valued at €213 million, marking an 11.4% increase compared to 2022. Italy remains the UAE's leading trading partner in this sector, ahead of China and Germany, with exports totalling €54.7 million. This represents a 25.7% market share and is similar to the previous year's figure.

In the first six months of 2024, the UAE imported packaging machinery worth €120.4 million, an impressive 45% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Italy maintained its position as the leading exporter with total export sales of €29.5 million, a 78.4% rise over the first half of 2023.

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