Upakovka and Interplastica 2018 Confirm Positive Russian Market

The recent positive signals from the Russian market – in particular from the plastics, rubber and packaging and processing industries – have been clearly confirmed at the two trade fairs upakovka 2018 – Processing and Packaging and interplastica 2018 (the 21st International Plastics and Rubber Trade Fair). About 900 companies from 30 countries presented their innovations at the two events and reported very high response and impressive business results. A total of 24,900 experts from all over Russia and neighboring countries visited upakovka and interplastica (2017: 23,000 visitors). The upswing in major market segments is leading to strong demand for packaging, processing, plastic and rubber products. Manufacturers are heavily investing in modern production technologies and materials in order to meet the increasing requirements.

Werner M. Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, states, “To the same degree that the Russian economy is developing positively and reliably, Russian companies are taking advantage of the two leading industry showcases. This is where they get to know the new developments on the world market and start negotiations with the suppliers directly on show site. The exhibitors who maintained a consistent presence in Russia under poorer market conditions are also now benefitting to a particularly large extent from their good contacts in the industry. In addition to the conclusion of many sales contracts, the high quality of the demand was a very important sign that an economically attractive future is beginning,”

The trade visitors were impressed by the wide range of innovative products and services on display, giving them important insight into trends and future market opportunities. The improvement of the Ruble exchange rate is now helping Russian companies to invest in the modernization of their equipment after postponing investments in the recent crisis years.

Russia is one of the biggest sales markets for food worldwide. After restrained consumption during the recession years, consumers are now increasingly taking to high-quality and pre-packaged foods as well as convenience products again. Soft drink sales are also up. The policy of subsidizing imports in the food sector continues and Russia’s agricultural production is also rising rapidly. In order to process these products, Russian and international companies are increasing their investment in the installation and expansion of their local production capacities. The increased food output will not only be sold in the domestic market but is also increasingly exported. This boosts the demand for food processing and packaging machinery as well as for beverage production and filling.

Germany continues to be Russia’s most important supplier of food machinery and packaging machinery with a market share of just under 30%. Over the first 11 months of 2017, German exports to Russia rose even further reaching a value of EUR 341 million – 13% more than in the previous year. Therefore, German exhibitors at upakovka 2018 expect good post-show business and rising demand in the coming months. The situation is similar for Italian companies and a higher number participated at their national pavilion this year than in 2017. upakovaka was officially supported by the Italian machinery manufacturers’ association UCIMA since the 2018 edition. After the premiere last year, upakovka 2018 again featured an extensive innovationparc conference program. This included lectures on brands, packaging and the latest trends in the beverage industry as well as on SAVE FOOD, an initiative to help reduce food loss and waste through packaging (technology)The session was hosted by Eugenia Serova, Director of the Russian FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) Office. Another important topic was Industry 4.0, with the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) presenting the challenges and know-how. The various lectures on flexible packaging also met with great interest.

“The positive response to the innovationparc and SAVE FOOD shows that we had our finger on the pulse when adapting the special themes for upakovka as part of the interpack alliance. Russian user industries are showing great interest in current trend themes and are extremely attractive for suppliers due to their high market potential especially in the food sector,” comments Bernd Jablonowski, Global Portfolio Director Processing & Packaging at Messe Düsseldorf.

The next upakovka and interplastica will take place concurrently in Moscow from January 29 – February 1, 2019. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at upakovka or interplastica 2019, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit mdna.com.