food & drink technology Africa closes with top results

From July 9 to 11, the fourth edition of food & drink technology Africa brought together the beverage, food and liquid food industry in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Approximately 65 exhibitors from 13 countries presented custom solutions for the African market: from innovative developments for resource conservation to raw materials, processing, filling and packaging machines. The concept of co-location was also able to convince: analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa were held at the same time at the Gallagher Convention Centre, offering synergies in the exhibition area and the supporting program. At the parallel trade fairs, visitors were able to gather information about trends and innovations from the environmental, beverage and food industries as well as from laboratory technology and analytics.

The panel discussion on the occasion of the opening of the co-location with its topic “The Contribution of the Food & Drink Industry in Southern Africa to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs)” also dealt with the topic of sustainability. Ranjt Baxi, former President of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) and Founding President of the Global Recycling Foundation, Douw Steyn, Director of Plastic SA, and Emmanuel Rurema, Managing Director of Pentair, agreed: Urgent and pre-eminently collective action by civil society, industry and the public sector is required to reduce plastic, manufacture sustainably and ensure the supply of food and drinking water. Rurema is already observing a rethinking in the food and beverage industry – worldwide. Manufacturers are aware of their responsibility to become more sustainable. The beverage industry, for example, is striving to reduce water consumption and wastage in production.

Petra Westphal, Project Group Director of Messe München, is convinced: “The high level of participation by international companies illustrates the potential offered by the South African market and the surrounding countries.” This is also confirmed by Vera Fritsche, consultant at the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association: “The consumption of food, liquid food products and beverages continues to increase, the production is growing.” This is reflected in the corresponding demand for modern manufacturing, processing and packaging technologies. “Importing machinery and plants from abroad is still necessary in order to be able to meet the growing demand,” said Fritsche.

Together, the events occupied 17 000 square meters in four halls and the outdoor area of the venue. Of the 8324 visitors, 1790 came from food & drink technology Africa. In total, 385 exhibitors presented their solutions and products. Of that total, 65 exhibitors exhibited at food & drink technology Africa, while 148 exhibitors accounted for analytica Lab Africa and 172 exhibitors for IFAT Africa.

The next co-location will take place from July 13 to 15, 2021 again at the same venue.