With the 2025 edition exceeding expectations, IPACK-IMA, which ended on 30 May after four dynamic days of business and networking, recorded an exceptional increase in numbers compared to its previous edition in 2022.
It reported international exhibitors more than doubled (over 400 companies) and a 51 per cent increase in foreign visitors.
This year’s edition even surpassed record-breaking figures from its 2018 event:
- 70,560 professional visitors (compared to 68,802 in 2018), including 22,579 international attendees (32 per cent of the total) – up 22 per cent from 2018 and from over 100 countries
- Over 1,300 exhibitors at IPACK-IMA, 38 per cent of which were international
- More than 45 thematic events, featuring 150 high-profile speakers
Smart factories take centre stage
Three complete lines – focused on flexible packaging, beverages, and coffee – showcased the most advanced technologies on the market in action. A steady stream of professionals closely followed every stage, demonstrating the demand for tangible and effective solutions. The live demos highlighted a strategic value: collaboration among competitors is not only possible but also appreciated by the market.
Processing levels up
While packaging has traditionally been the core of the event, the 2025 edition saw significant growth in the processing sector, featuring global players from the food, non-food, and pharmaceutical industries. This synergy enriches the offering and reflects the increasing integration between processing and packaging.
More than an event, an experience
In a welcoming, vibrant setting like the Fiera Milano exhibition centre, IPACK-IMA successfully combined opportunities for business and networking alongside technology and vision, making the trade fair experience truly engaging.
Visitors, buyers, and exhibitors shared business opportunities, but also a culture of innovation that brings together mechanics and design, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, new materials and automation.
International reach and upcoming events
After the success of 2025, the IPACK-IMA journey continues with a strategic international vision based on solid partnerships. Activities will be resuming in June with the partnership with INFORMA Markets and participation in ProPak Asia, the first step towards an expanding global presence.
The next stage, in 2026, will be the launch of Bevertech, a new initiative born from synergy with UIV (Italian Wine Union) and running concurrently with Simei winemaking fair, designed to anticipate the evolutions and needs of the liquid food & beverage sector.
“We have outperformed the 2018 numbers, our historic benchmark, but the real success of the fair is reflected by the quality of the connections created. 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,” IPACK-IMA CEO Simone Castelli said.
The next IPACK-IMA will be running from 29 May to 1 June 2028.
