The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) played a key role in bringing together the Australian and New Zealand contingent at this year’s IFFA trade fair in Frankfurt, hosting a first-of-its-kind welcome event that celebrated regional participation on the global stage.
Held in partnership with Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the event welcomed over 150 visitors and exhibitors from across Australia and New Zealand. As the leading international trade fair for meat and alternative protein processing, IFFA 2025 attracted more than 63,000 trade visitors from 144 countries and featured over 1,000 exhibitors from 52 nations. Notably, Australia ranked 9th in total visitor attendance, underscoring the strong interest and growing presence of Australian businesses in the global meat processing sector.
APPMA chair Michael Moran said the event marked an important milestone for the association. “This welcome event was more than a networking opportunity – it was a statement about our region’s growing engagement in international industry conversations,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve held an event of this scale at IFFA, and it speaks volumes about the strength of our partnerships and the calibre of Australian innovation.”
The evening was the result of over 12 months of planning and collaboration with Messe Frankfurt and the APPEX 2027 organising team. Attendees used the opportunity to forge new connections and discuss the latest developments in processing and packaging technology, particularly those focused on sustainability, automation, and alternative proteins.
APPMA’s presence at IFFA extended beyond the welcome event. The team toured the World of Processing and World of Packaging showcases, visited APPMA member stands, and explored innovations in the rapidly expanding alternative protein sector – including taste testing new meat-free solutions.
Moran added that APPMA also held discussions with Messe Frankfurt regarding IFFA’s involvement in the upcoming APPEX 2027 trade show in Australia. “We’re excited about deepening our collaboration with Messe Frankfurt and bringing some of that IFFA energy to APPEX,” he said.
With the momentum from IFFA 2025 still fresh, APPMA is now looking ahead to APPEX 2027, where the international dialogue on meat processing, packaging innovation and sustainable technology will continue on home soil.
