Spotlight on Spain

Mid-May sees the return of Spain’s leading packaging show Hispack to the Fira Barcelona expo centre. The total combined space of 32,000m² will be occupied by 470 companies from within Spain, including more than 100 from other markets ranging from the UK and Germany to Lithuania and Turkey – on its own represented by 16 companies in one collective pavilion.

Hispack visitors can also take advantage of entry to the co-located Bta food technology fair, which will occupy 55,000m² of stand space in Pavilions 1, 2 and 3.

This year, industrial logistics will have a more active presence, with a dedicated space to host presentations, meetings and technical side events relevant to the field, as well as a dynamic area for the virtual demonstration of solutions and new products.

A full agenda across all three days at the Hispack forum will include the ‘3rd Hispack meetings on research and development in packing and packaging’, with the first session covering the whole of the second day (Wednesday 16 May) and focusing particularly on new developments in sustainable materials, new preservation technologies and active and smart packaging.

Q&A: Hispack director Xavier Pascual

Q: What would you say are the most significant changes for your industry in the time since the last Hispack show in 2009?

A: While two years ago nobody knew what would happen next, since western economies were in recession, now companies are ready to ‘fight’. Innovation is back on track and exports to the BRICs are solid.

Q: Which markets outside Spain are your main focus?

A: Proximity and historic connections make Latin American and Mediterranean countries, including the north African coast such as Tunisia and Algeria, our natural area of influence. However, the 2012 edition will pay a special attention to the Russian market, for both its current dynamism and the potential of future growth. UK visitors shouldn’t think of Hispack just as a platform to the European markets, but also as the best trampoline to the Latin American markets.

Q: Has the industry in Spain suffered particularly in the last few years?

A: According to a study released during the last edition of Hispack (2009), the business of Spanish companies in this field was worth €10,000 million. A recent study conducted by Alimarket pointed out that the turnover of the packaging industry had dropped by 7%. It depends on the sector: generally speaking, flexible packaging or cardboard producers are dealing with the crisis better than the others.

Q: What are the implications for the packing and packaging industry of recent developments in the Eurozone and the global economy generally?

A: Companies are rediscovering packaging as an excellent tool for distinguishing their products among others.

The economic crisis is forcing companies to return to the basics – that is to promote their products starting with the product.

Among the exhibitors…

On display at the Spanish packaging machinery manufacturer Campak’s stand (Pavilion 3, C324) will be its new PVX horizontal hybrid intermittent/continuous motion cartoner. With speed options ranging from 100 to 200 strokes/min, the new cartoner is characterised by an extremely compact layout so that it can be easily integrated into any production site.

M&H Plastics (Hall 2, Stand B179) will be exhibiting an innovation in decorative effects described as “a cost-effective alternative to embossing”, that adds a premium feel to products. Featuring a high-build varnish printed directly onto a product resulting in a distinctive tactile texture. A high-build varnish printed directly onto HDPE bottles gives a gloss embossed effect, which contrasts with the co-ex soft touch matt finish, resulting in a distinctive “tactile texture”.

At a glance

15th Hispack International Packaging Exhibition

Dates: 15-18 May 2012

Venue: Gran Via Exhibition Centre, Av. Joan Carles I, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, nr Barcelona

Alongside: Bta. – Barcelona Tecnologías de la Alimentación – www.bta-bcn.com

Organiser: Fira de Barcelona (in collaboration with Graphispack Association)

Contact: www.hispack.com – hispack@firabcn.es – Tel. +34 902 233 200