Manufacturing technology will take centre stage at APPEX 2027, with registrations now open for the processing and packaging exhibition to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 16 to 19 March 2027.
Presented by the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), the event will occupy all 20 bays of the MCEC, covering 30,000 square metres and featuring machinery, automation technologies, robotics, digital systems, materials, logistics and food processing solutions.
According to APPMA, the exhibition will feature working machinery, live demonstrations and end-to-end applications, allowing visitors to compare technologies and engage directly with suppliers and industry experts.
APPMA CEO Michael Moran said the three-year interval between exhibitions reflects the pace of technological development across the sector.
“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 said.
The event is expected to address manufacturing priorities including productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, labour challenges and sustainability, with exhibitors showcasing potential solutions in a live environment.
“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 said.
APPEX will also feature the return of Meat Industry Day, held in conjunction with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, while the Food Industry Solution Series will examine emerging technologies and manufacturing challenges across the food sector.
A new F&B SME Packaging Solutions Centre will provide small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses with information on packaging, sustainability, product lifecycles and machinery decisions. The centre is being delivered with APPMA, End Food Waste, the Australian Institute of Packaging, Tetra Pak and RMIT.
Women in Processing & Packaging will also return following its 2024 debut, while networking areas will be available throughout the exhibition.
The Victorian Government will join APPEX 2027 as Major Partner, with APPMA citing the processing and packaging sector’s contribution to the state’s economy.
The APPMA Awards of Excellence will be held on 17 March as part of the exhibition, with the association expecting more than 650 industry guests to attend the gala dinner.
“The APPMA Awards of Excellence are the national awards for our industry,” Moran said, adding that the event recognises “excellence, innovation, leadership and best practice” across the processing and packaging sector.
Registrations for APPEX 2027 are now open, with further information available through the event website.
