Final press release UPAKOVKA / UPAK ITALIA 2009

UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA: Even in hard times,
the Russian packaging market offers a wealth of
opportunities
Moscow trade fair records high levels of visitor interest and
satisfied international exhibitor companies
The effects of the global financial and economic crises have dampened
demand on the Russian packaging market for the moment but by no means
brought it to a complete standstill. Demand for packaging remains high and
interest in innovative technologies and materials for production is
unwavering. Despite the current difficulties, Russia is still set to become
one of the world’s biggest consumer markets. Experts predict that, at the
latest by 2025, the country will enter this league. Packaging manufacturers
in the Russian Federation need to invest in order to meet the expectations
of customers in such sectors as food, confectionery, cosmetics and
pharmaceuticals.
Unsurprisingly, keen interest was registered in UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2009, the International Trade Fair Machinery and Equipment for the
Manufacture of Packaging, Packaging Machinery, Confectionery Machinery,
Packaging and Packaging Aids, Logistics. Jointly staged between 27 and 30
January, INTERPLASTICA 2009, the International Trade Fair Plastics and
Rubber, and the premier trade fair for the packaging industry in Russia
together welcomed 20,500 trade visitors from all corners of the CIS and its
neighbours. A total of about 900 exhibitors rented a net area of 19,000
square metres to showcase their offerings. Visitors’ far-reaching decisionmaking
powers, their pre-fair preparations and targeted enquiries impressed
exhibitors and revealed real interest in placing orders. The general tenor of
exhibitor responses was one of surprise at the wealth of intensive
negotiations which promise good post-fair business.
Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, summed up
the event in positive tones: “Economic conditions worldwide and in the
region currently present Russian businesses with serious challenges. In
particular, the financing of projects has become incredibly difficult and is
putting SMEs under tremendous pressure. The fact that we have received
such a warm response from both exhibitors and visitors in such trying times
bears testimony to the role of UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA as a leading platform
for innovation and an economic spur to the industry.”
Trade visitors took advantage of the event’s four-day run in order to gather
extensive information on the international range of offerings. Not only were
they enthusiastic about the products and services showcased by companies
from 19 countries but also unanimously agreed that, in the light of the
difficult economic climate, the presence of globally active businesses was
greatly appreciated.
Officially sponsored national participations flew the flags of Germany, France
and Italy. The biggest exhibitor contingent this year came from Italy with
99 companies, followed by Germany with 92 and Russia with 87 exhibitors.
UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA is organised by Messe Düsseldorf and its subsidiary
OOO Messe Düsseldorf Moscow in cooperation with the Italian event
coordinator Centrexpo.
For German suppliers of packaging and confectionery machinery, Russia
remains the key market in Central and Eastern Europe. In the first eleven
months of 2008, packaging machinery to the value of about EUR 401 million
was sold to Russian buyers. This represents an increase in the export value
over the same period in the previous year by 29 percent. Although demand
for confectionery machinery dipped in comparison with 2007, the export
volume valued at EUR 37.2 million recorded for the period January to
November 2008 is still higher than for the whole of 2006. Germany remains
Russia’s primary source of packaging and confectionery machinery.
Vera Fritsche of the VDMA-Fachverband Nahrungsmittelmaschinen und
Verpackungsmaschinen (Food Processing and Packaging Machinery
Association within the VDMA) emphasised the importance of the Russian
market: “Despite the fact that demand is currently slightly weaker and some
investment projects have been put on ice, the need to invest remains and
interest is still strong. There are even major Russian and multinational
enterprises which have chosen to invest now. Thanks to their reputation for
innovative technology and reliability, German products continue to be
highly regarded. Longstanding business relationships were deepened and
new contacts forged at the trade fair. Many of the business discussions
promise to translate into deals. As did the economic stimulus package
announced in December last year which is intended to boost domestic
industries such as the food industry.”
The optimistic evaluation is shared by the Italian exhibitor companies.
Compared to the previous year, their joint presentation even grew once
again. This is a clear sign that the market remains highly attractive to
Italian manufacturers even if the times of untrammelled growth are over, at
least for now. Annunziata Landi from the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade
(ICE) highlighted the tremendous potential demand that still exists in
Russia and its neighbouring countries: “Italian businesses still have faith in
the Russian and neighbouring markets and justifiably believe that there are
very good sales opportunities. The interest shown by visitors proves that,
with high-quality, innovative products, you can still keep a business on
track for the future even in unstable times. I feel confident that in the
coming year, similar numbers of Italian businesses will once again
participate in UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA.”
The specialist ancillary programme, which was staged on the second and
third day of the UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2009 run, was once again given
a warm reception. The lineup included seminars and discussions that
tackled topical packaging industry issues and were conducted by
speakers from international associations and tertiary institutions.
Exhibitors and trade media organised conferences and round-table
events. What’s more, exhibiting companies and trade visitors were
entitled to use the business center on the fairgrounds as a marketplace
for jobs and finding contacts. Plus, students from various packagingrelated
disciplines were available to answer specific questions.
The next edition of UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA will once again be staged in
Moscow in conjunction with INTERPLASTICA in early 2010. Further
information is available online at www.upakovka-upakitalia.de as well as
from Miriam Rüss or Marie-Luise Schläfke of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH at
Tel. +49 (0)211/4560-7739, e-mail RuessM@messe-duesseldorf.de and
Tel. +49 (0)211/4560-7741, e-mail SchlaefkeM@messe-duesseldorf.de
2 February 2009
Press contact:
Eva Rugenstein/Desislava Angelova
+49 (0)211-4560 240
+49 (0)211-4560 8548
RugensteinE@messe-duesseldorf.de
AngelovaD@messe-duesseldorf.de
Photos can be provided on request.