Anuga FoodTec and PMMI extend strategic partnership – Europe and North America draw closer together

Anuga FoodTec and PMMI extend strategic partnership – Connecting the industry in Europe and North America

+++ Global collaboration in packaging and processing +++ Anuga FoodTec Cologne, Andina Pack, PACK EXPO International, and PACK EXPO Las Vegas +++ Partnership expands reach, strengthening attendee and exhibitor quality+++​ 

Anuga FoodTec and PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, producer of the PACK EXPO trade shows – are officially continuing their highly successful collaboration. The strategic partnership extension will continue to strengthen their joint presence across North America and Europe.

Expanding Potential, Connecting Markets

The partnership will strengthen exhibitors’ global reach by leveraging network synergies. It will also foster deeper exchange between Europe and North America while further enhancing the quality of attendees for all events.

European companies gain direct access to the North American market through PMMI’s network, while Anuga FoodTec in Cologne will broaden its international scope with additional solutions from the United States and Canada. Joint marketing initiatives will create new touchpoints with potential customers across the Atlantic and beyond.

Expanding Reach, Increasing Visibility

The collaboration will benefit not only Anuga FoodTec in Cologne (February 23–26, 2027) but also PACK EXPO International in Chicago (October 18–21, 2026), PACK EXPO Las Vegas (September 27–29, 2027), and Andina Pack in Bogotá, expected to take place again in November 2027. All these events will be actively supported through coordinated promotional efforts.

Combining Industry Expertise, Driving Growth

“PMMI looks forward to extending our strategic partnership with Koelnmesse and Anuga FoodTec, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing the global packaging and processing industry. This collaboration not only strengthens industry engagement but also helps our members expand their reach in the global marketplace,” said Jim Pittas, President & CEO, PMMI.

“The extension of our partnership with PMMI pays off directly with regard to the performance of exhibitors and visitors. We establish engineering competence and market access between Europe and North America, accelerate technology transfer and reinforce the resiliency of supply chains. For Anuga FoodTec 2027, we bundle solutions for efficient processes, digital interfaces and sustainable packaging. That creates measurable added value in OEE, resource deployment and time to market“, adds Roland Thiemann, Director of Anuga FoodTec.

The agreement includes both organizations with a presence at Andina Pack, Anuga FoodTec 2027, PACK EXPO International, and PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

Knowledge Transfer and New Partnerships

Both partners are committed to advancing cutting-edge processing and packaging technologies, strengthening key industry focus areas including efficiency, sustainability, and digitalization across the entire value chain. Dedicated showcase areas and conferences are planned to serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and new partnerships.

For the industry, the continued collaboration means innovation from Europe and North America in one place — creating an even stronger environment for sourcing, networking, and strategic growth.

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the food technology sector: Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the field of food and beverage processing. Anuga FoodTec, ISM Manufacturing (formerly ProSweets Cologne) and ISM Ingredients are established, world-leading trade fairs, hosted in Cologne/Germany. In addition to the events at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse also stages further food technology trade fairs with different sector-specific areas of focus and content in key markets across the world, including Brazil, Colombia, India and Italy. These global activities enable Koelnmesse to offer its customers bespoke events and leading regional trade fairs in a variety of markets, thus creating the foundation for sustainable international business. Koelnmesse is also ideally positioned in the field of food and beverages with its leading international trade fairs Anuga and ISM and its global network of satellite events.

The next events:
THAIFEX – HOREC Asia – Southeast Asia’s leading Hospitality & Food Service Trade Show, Bangkok 11.03. – 13.03.2026
Anuga Select Brazil – The Energy of Brazil, the Power of the Global Market, São Paulo 07.04. – 09.04.2026
Anuga Select Japan – WHERE TRADE AND TRENDS ARISE, Tokyo 15.04. – 17.04.2026