Eye on Automated Solutions

IN RECENT years, the food manufacturing industry in China has undergone significant changes, and the size of the food and beverage sector has expanded annually. According to the figures provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the number of large-scale food manufacturers has increased from 5,428 to 9179 (+69%), whilst the number of beverage manufacturers rose from 3348 to 6412 (+86%) between 2005 to 2010.

There is a substantial increase in demand for employees in food and beverage industry, which intensified the conflicts between shortages of labour and the blooming number of business orders. On the other hand, the numbers of employees in both industries increased from 1.16 million to 1.68 million for the food industry (+45%) and from 0.87 million to 1.24 million for the beverage sector (+42%). For this reason, huge enterprises tend to consider the use of automation technology to improve both productivity and products standardisation whilst reducing manpower requirements.   Automation has as a result become an important trend in the development of manufacturing industry.

To cope with the market changes, the 19th China International Exhibition on Packaging Machinery & Materials (Sino- Pack 2012) and the 16th China International Exhibition on Brewery, Beverage and Liquid Packaging (China Drinktec 2012) will introduce series of advanced automation equipment and applications, together with an array of integrated packaging equipment and materials. As the largest packaging and beverage technology exhibition in China, a number of renowned local and overseas exhibitors will congregate at the China Import & Export Fair Pazhou Complex (Area in Guangzhou from 7 to 9 March 2012.

Renowned automation equipment exhibitors will include Fanuc, the world's largest integrated automation equipment and robot manufacturer from Japan; KUKA, the world's leading manufacturer of industrial robots from Germany; and Schmalz, also from Germany, the specialists in vacuum components and labour-saving vacuum handling equipment. They will showcase automated robot,   digital control devices, intelligent devices, vacuum components and other comprehensive automation solutions that can be widely used in packaging, consumer products, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, casting and plastics.

Green Concept Throughout

In China, the national policy and consumers' rising concern for environmental protection have further prompted the adjustment of the China packaging industry to focus on the development of sustainability and green concepts. The uses of green packaging, low carbon emissions and wastage reduction have become the main trend.

To cope with market development, Sino- Pack / China Drinktec 2012 will actively promote eco-friendly packaging in the show with the theme on "Green Packaging, Create a Low Carbon Lifestyle". Symposia will be held concurrently with the participation of experts and enterprises to share topics related to energy conservation and green packaging. Various green exhibits will   be showcased during the exhibition as well.

Prosperous Outcome

This year, in collaboration with the concurrent events 19th Printing South China and Sino-Label 2012, the 4-in-1 Expo is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors and to continue its success as one of the largest and most influential packaging and beverage technology exhibitions in China. Further enhancing the show's internationalization are the expanded overseas pavilionsКроссовки Lifestyle