MMK on location: the most important industry events

4th Annual Global Packaging Summit 26th to 27th January 2015, Barcelona With a background of demanding consumers and ever changing communication channels it is the declared aim of the Annual Global Packaging Summit to discuss the latest developments in cost-efficient, environmentally friendly packaging solutions, innovative packaging materials and legislation with circles of experts. This year‘s summit was guided by the motto ‘Product Safety‘. Mayr-Melnhof Karton used the opportunity to introduce the international participants from the consumer industry to our innovation FOODBOARD™. In addition to the topic of migration protection it was the additional benefits of FOODBOARD™ in the area of organoleptic performance and extending the shelf-life which raised the most interest.

Pro Sweets 1st to 4th February 2015, Cologne From raw materials to process technology right down to packaging – Pro Sweets covers the entire spectrum of suppliers in the confectionary industry under one roof and therefore represents a big influence in the confectionary industry. In addition to the topic of sustainability, where the packaging material cartonboard demonstrates a clear starting advantage, the trend towards individualisation and personalisation for promotions, product test runs or varied regional markets were at the forefront in particular. Digital printing is a key technology here. MMK has led the market from the start, meaning we have a broad product portfolio of virgin fibre and recycled cartonboards as well as White Top Coated Recycled Liner qualities which perfectly fulfil the requirements of digital printing.

Pace Conference 10th to 12th February 2015, Brussels For 10 years the annual ‘Packaging and Converting Executive‘ (PACE) forum has been trying to improve communication and increase cooperation between industry and trade, supply chain and brand owner. We approached setting a good example: together with a leading tea provider in Europe, the Ostfriesischen Teegesellschaft (OTG), we demonstrated in our presentation how the current problem of mineral oil migration from packaging to foodstuffs can be solved through intensive cooperation (tests on the packaging lines / transport tests / migration analyses) and open communication. OTG is planning to convert its entire product range, which includes the brands Meßmer, Milford and Onno Behrends, to FOODBOARD™. OTG can therefore gain an advantage with higher product safety and serves an important stimulus for the entire sector.

Luxury Packaging Summit 17th to 18th February 2015, Chantilly In the market for luxury products in particular packaging communicates as a brand ambassador with demanding consumers: via its design, the material, printing and finishing. They transport values and influence how consumers perceive products. In mid-February in France, industry leaders discussed the challenge in the luxury packaging market over the course of two days. The event was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with the leading brand manufacturers and to find out about innovative solutions for the industry. Our high-quality GC1-qrade Silvawhite™ from the MMK Eerbeek mill, Netherlands, attracted a lot of interest. With the first-class surface properties, excellent opacity, a high level of brightness and brilliant gloss, Silvawhite™ meets the requirements of the high-end market in a wide range of application areas.

ProFlex 2015 Symposium 4th to 5th March 2015, Stuttgart ProFlex – the symposium of the flexographic printing trade association DFTA – is the traditional industry meeting point for specialists from the printing industry where they can discuss the requirements which will be placed on market participants in the future. At this year‘s exhibition, MM Karton presented our proven flexo liner qualities MM X-Liner™ and MM X-Liner aqua-fit™. While MM X-Liner™ is ideally suited for high-quality printing in both pre and post printing, MM X-Liner aqua-fit™ is perfect for use with fruit and vegetable crates thanks to its excellent moisture barrier (Cobb value 100 gsm, 1800 s). Awarding the DFTA Award for particularly future-oriented packaging printed flexographically rounded of the symposium harmoniously.

Anuga FoodTec 24th to 27th March 2015, Cologne Every three years the Anuga FoodTec is the point of contact for the international foodstuff and beverages industry. As a global leading trade fair, it incorporates all levels of food production from converting to packaging to distribution. A focus topic this year was also food safety. Thus, in the foreground was packaging and clever process technology which can help to meet the ever more demanding legal requirements. With FOODBOARD™ – the new recycled cartonboard, which ensures the safety of packed food – we were able to present ‘the solution‘ to the migration topic.

CPhI Russia 27th to 29th April 2015, Moscow Russia is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world. In the strategy programme ‘Pharma 2020‘, Russia is planning, among other things, to increase self-supply of medicines in its own country to 90 % and to also significantly increase export. Growth options will result from this which will require an increase in the entire pharmaceutical value creation chain. In order to achieve this, CPhI Russia provided a perfect platform and is seen as the most important trade fair for the pharmaceutical industry for Russia and the CIS states. Mayr-Melnhof Karton was able to hold many interesting discussions as the leading provider of cartonboard in Russia, Belarus and the Baltic states. We have great market knowledge through our sales office in Moscow, placing us closer to the market, and our warehouse in Russia offers our customers unrivalled high service flexibility. This enables us to offer our customers a decisive advantage.

PLMA´s World of Private Label 19th to 20th May 2015, Amsterdam The market share of private labels for the overall turn-over of the trade chain has never been as large as now. Presently, a wide-ranging selection is also on offer – from entry-level priced products to the premium sector. The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has prescribed itself as the international trade association for the promotion of private labels. With the trade fair ‘World of Private Label‘, it has created a great opportunity to discuss the latest trends with the manufacturers and individual traders and to identify current opportunities to help the privates label programme towards success and further growth. An example: as the leading provider in tea private labels, the Ostfriesische Tee Gesellschaft (OTG) presented the first packaging from FOODBOARD™ on their booth. OTG decided on the highest product safety and therefore for our new, innovative cartonboard quality, which perfectly preserves the original taste and smell of the tea against defined, unintended substances.