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APPEX 2027 registrations open for Australia's must-attend Processing and Packaging Expo

APPMA/ Positiv

Key Facts:

Across four unmissable days, Australia's largest processing and packaging expo, APPEX 2027 will take over all 20 bays of the MCEC, creating a massive 30,000m² showcase of the latest technology, innovation, expertise and ideas shaping the future of the processing and packaging industry.

Step onto the show floor and see it all in action. From live equipment demos and the latest technology to expert insights and hands-on experiences, APPEX 2027 is the place to explore solutions from hundreds of exhibitors, all under one roof.

APPEX is the must-attend triennial industry event, representing all areas of processing & packaging, including machinery, ancillary equipment, materials and packaging, food processing, logistics & materials handling, and industry services.

APPEX 2027 registrations open for Australia’s must-attend Processing and Packaging Expo.

Three years of industry innovation. Four days to experience it.

Registrations are now open for APPEX 2027, Australia’s largest processing and packaging exhibition, returning to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 16 to 19 March 2027.

Held only once every three years, APPEX brings together the latest in automation technologies, equipment and machinery, industry expertise and ideas shaping the future of processing and packaging, giving the Australian industry four days to experience just how much the sector has evolved since 2024.

In 2027, APPEX will take over all 20 bays of the MCEC, creating a dedicated 30,000mÇ industry showcase and making it the largest manufacturing exhibition in Australia.

A newly envisioned exhibition floor will deliver a dynamic, ‘European style’ show experience packed with working machinery, live demonstrations, end-to-end applications, networking hubs and opportunities to get hands-on with the latest equipment and technology.

Visitors will be able to see applications first-hand and speak directly with the people developing and applying the solutions transforming the Processing and Packaging sector.

APPMA CEO Michael Moran says that APPEX taking place every three years is timely and pivotal for the industry. “Three years is a long time in technology; the experience for visitors walking into APPEX in 2027 will be very different from the one they left in 2024,” Moran says.

“APPEX provides us with four days to bring together industry development and progress in one place. Visitors get to see machinery operating, experience the technology, talk directly with experts and understand what these developments could mean for their own operations.”

Discover what’s next in processing and packaging

From turnkey automation projects to machine building, robotics, digital technology, materials, logistics and food processing solutions, APPEX will bring together innovation from Australia and around the world.

For manufacturers facing pressure to increase productivity, improve efficiency, reduce waste, address labour challenges and become more sustainable, APPEX provides the opportunity to explore potential solutions in a live environment and compare technologies side by side.

“If you are planning your next investment, looking to solve a production challenge or want to understand where processing and packaging technology is heading, APPEX is the place to do it,” Moran says.

“You can achieve in four days what could otherwise take months of research, meetings and supplier visits. You can compare technologies, resolve questions, see solutions operating and talk with the experts who understand how they can be applied.”

Presented by the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), APPEX spans the complete processing and packaging ecosystem and serves industries including food and beverage, meat, dairy, bakery, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, FMCG, chemicals, household products, logistics and manufacturing.

It also brings together organisations and experts from across the sector to exchange ideas, build relationships and explore new business opportunities.

Recognising the importance of the sector to the state’s economy and its future, the Victorian Government joins APPEX as Major Partner in 2027.

What’s on at APPEX 2027

The popular Meat Industry Day will return in conjunction with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), following strong industry demand.

The Food Industry Solution Series, hosted and curated by Barry McGookin, will feature insightful sessions examining emerging technologies, manufacturing challenges and opportunities across the food sector.

New for 2027 is the F&B SME Packaging Solutions Centre, a dedicated destination helping small and medium sized food and beverage businesses navigate the complexities of packaging, sustainability, product lifecycles and machinery decisions.

Delivered in partnership with organisations including APPMA, End Food Waste, AIP, Tetra Pak and RMIT, the Centre will provide independent expertise, real-world case studies and research-backed guidance, with a focus on proven, practical and more sustainable packaging solutions.

After its 2024 debut, Women in Processing & Packaging returns to APPEX 2027. Developed in partnership with PKN and Food & Drink Business, and owned and presented by APPMA, the event brings the industry together to connect, share experiences and hear from some of the leading women shaping processing and packaging.

It’s an opportunity to be inspired by some of the accomplished women from across the industry as they share their personal stories, career journeys and perspectives on the future of women in STEM. Last but definitely not least, dedicated networking spaces will feature throughout the exhibition, providing further opportunities for visitors, exhibitors and industry partners to connect and collaborate.

Celebrating industry excellence

The prestigious APPMA Awards of Excellence will return as a highlight of APPEX 2027.

Held on Wednesday, 17 March, the Gala Awards dinner is expected to bring together more than 650 industry guests to recognise excellence, innovation, leadership and best practice across Australia’s processing and packaging sector.

“The APPMA Awards of Excellence are the national awards for our industry, and the Gala dinner has become one of the most anticipated events on the industry calendar,” Moran says.

“It is our opportunity to celebrate the people, businesses and technologies pushing Australian processing and packaging industry forward - an industry that is vital to Australia’s provision of essential services, export capabilities, skilled worker development and respected as a leader on the world stage.”

An industry opportunity that comes around every three years

For Moran, APPEX is a milestone event for the Australian processing and packaging industry, providing an opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come as a sector.

“Whether you are considering your next equipment investment, investigating automation, looking for solutions to a manufacturing challenge or simply wanting to understand where the industry is heading, APPEX 2027 is where you can see it all come together.

Don’t be left wondering, register now. More information and registration details are available at

https://www.appex.com.au/.

 

About us:

Across four unmissable days, Australia's largest processing and packaging expo, APPEX 2027 will take over all 20 bays of the MCEC, creating a massive 30,000m² showcase of the latest technology, innovation, expertise and ideas shaping the future of the processing and packaging industry.

Step onto the show floor and see it all in action. From live equipment demos and the latest technology to expert insights and hands-on experiences, APPEX 2027 is the place to explore solutions from hundreds of exhibitors, all under one roof.

APPEX is the must-attend triennial industry event, representing all areas of processing & packaging, including machinery, ancillary equipment, materials and packaging, food processing, logistics & materials handling, and industry services.

Contact details:

Kristly Bartlett

Head of PR

[email protected]

040 6116 098