Anuga FoodTec and PMMI renew alliance
Anuga FoodTec and PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies) have announced a major extension of their strategic partnership.
The deal effectively creates a “technology corridor” between Europe and North America, merging the influence of the world’s leading food tech trade fair in Cologne with the powerhouse PACK EXPO portfolio in the United States.
For the food and drink trade, this means faster technology transfer, more resilient supply chains, and a unified front on the industry’s biggest challenges: sustainability and digitalisation.
The partnership is designed to dismantle the barriers that often slow down international expansion for machinery manufacturers. Through the network synergies of PMMI and Koelnmesse (organisers of Anuga FoodTec), European firms will gain a direct “fast-track” into the North American market. Conversely, North American exhibitors from the US and Canada will have a bolstered presence in Cologne, bringing new automated solutions to a European audience.
“We establish engineering competence and market access between Europe and North America,” said Roland Thiemann, director of Anuga FoodTec. “For 2027, we are bundling solutions for digital interfaces and sustainable packaging. That creates measurable added value in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and time to market.”
The collaboration isn’t limited to a single event; it creates a continuous cycle of innovation across several major global summits:
- PACK EXPO International (Chicago): Oct 18–21, 2026
- Anuga FoodTec (Cologne): Feb 23–26, 2027
- PACK EXPO Las Vegas: Sept 27–29, 2027
- Andina Pack (Bogotá): November 2027
By coordinating promotional efforts and marketing initiatives, the two organisations aim to improve the quality of attendees, ensuring that high-level decision-makers and engineers from both sides of the Atlantic are present at every show.
As the food industry moves away from “standard” machinery toward bespoke, digital-first systems, the partnership will focus heavily on knowledge transfer. Planned conference programs and dedicated showcase areas will address how to integrate AI, IoT, and circular economy principles into existing processing lines.
Jim Pittas, president & CEO of PMMI, noted that the extension reinforces a shared commitment to advancing the industry. “This collaboration not only strengthens industry engagement but also helps our members expand their reach in the global marketplace,” he said.
For food and drink manufacturers, the joining of these two giants is a welcome development. As supply chain disruptions become more frequent due to geopolitical and climate factors, having a synchronised transatlantic platform for sourcing parts, machinery, and software is a critical safety net.
The partnership ensures that whether a brand is looking for German precision engineering or North American industrial scale, the best of both worlds will now be accessible under a single strategic umbrella.
