The numbers for the 2025 edition of IPACK-IMA and Pharmintech reflect the show’s standing as a key global event for process and packaging technologies, with the four-day trade fair surpassing expectations in visitor attendance, international participation, and cross-sector innovation.
Held at Fiera Milano and concluding on 30 May, this year’s event recorded 70,560 professional visitors – 22,579 of whom were from outside Italy, representing a 22 per cent increase in international attendance compared to the 2018 edition. More than 1300 exhibitors took part in IPACK-IMA, 38 per cent of them from overseas, while Pharmintech drew over 300 companies, 35 per cent of which were international.
Australian company TNA Solutions exhibited for the first time, with co-founder and director Nadia Taylor in attendence in Milan for the first time. Other Australian companies were present on the stands of their international partners, like Pacmatix and Jet Technologies to name a few.
The event showcased the latest technologies and materials for both food and non-food sectors, placing a particular focus on smart factory systems and digital integration. On the materials side, the strong shift to mono-materials for plastics, and the preponderance of paper-based solutions was most notable.
The Italian Best Packaging Awards, presented during the show, reflected these trends and more. Australasian innovation was recognised among other global achievers on the evening of the close of IPACK-IMA, at the glamorous WorldStar Awards event.
Live demonstrations of three complete processing and packaging lines – for coffee, beverages and flexible packaging – drew sustained interest from professionals keen to see practical applications in action. Organisers highlighted the collaborative effort between competing technology providers, underlining a broader trend towards cross-industry cooperation.
This year’s edition also marked a notable shift in balance, with greater emphasis placed on the processing segment. Key players from food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors joined the show, signalling a growing convergence between packaging and processing in response to market demands for integrated solutions.
According to Simone Castelli, CEO of IPACK-IMA, the true value of the 2025 edition lay not only in record-breaking numbers but in the strength of the connections formed.
“The synergy between exhibitors and visitors and – even more significantly – among often competing companies, has generated a high-impact experience, proving that shared innovation multiplies value, effectiveness, and competitiveness,” he said.
In total, the event hosted more than 45 themed sessions featuring 150 speakers, reinforcing its role as a platform for knowledge exchange alongside business development.
Pharmintech once again ran alongside IPACK-IMA, with the strategic co-location enhancing the show’s cross-sector appeal. The organisers reported a productive and engaged visitor base, reflecting the growing alignment between packaging, processing, automation, and materials innovation across multiple industry verticals.
Looking ahead, IPACK-IMA is continuing its global outreach through strategic partnerships. June will see the event extend its presence through collaboration with Informa Markets at ProPak Asia, while a new project, Bevertech, is set to debut in 2026. Staged alongside Simei, the international winemaking fair, Bevertech will cater to the evolving needs of the liquid food and beverage sector.
Valerio Soli, chair of IPACK-IMA, said: “In a rapidly changing market, IPACK-IMA has proven to be a reliable and reputable platform, capable of offering tools to understand the market, genuine business opportunities, and a vision of the future.”
The next IPACK-IMA will be running from 29 May to 1 June 2028 with teh organisers prominisng "a forward-looking approach aimed at offering an even more advanced and high-performing trade fair format".
The Innovation Alliance: Strategy evolves, synergy remains
This edittion, IPACK-IMA was once again part of The Innovation Alliance - the event that brings together four trade shows (GreenPlast, IPACK-IMA, Print4All, and Intralogistica Italia) around a single integrated vision focused on innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability. The recently concluded edition welcomed 108,458 industry professionals from 143 countries and 1857 exhibitors (39 per cent international), confirming the value of the collaborative approach between the exhibitions.
Looking ahead, each trade show will follow an independent schedule to better meet the specific needs of its respective industry, while still maintaining a shared vision. The Innovation Alliance will continue to thrive through synergies, shared content, and cross-cutting initiatives, strengthening the dialogue among different segments of the manufacturing sector.
Upcoming events:
Plast: 9-12 June 2026
Print4All: 25-28 May 2027
IPACK-IMA, GreenPlast, Intralogistica Italia: 29 May - 1 June 2028
(all at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre)
