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The Asia-Pacific region has been recording steady growth in global sales of packaged food for several years. India is expected to grow by 33 percent by 2029 and is one of the most dynamic markets.

The Middle East and North Africa account for 9 percent of the global market for packaged food. Sales are expected to increase by 20.7 percent to 97 million tons by 2029. This is driving investment in food machinery and packaging machines.

Latin America accounts for 12.4% and South America for 7.5% of global sales of packaged food. South America is forecast to grow by 10.6% to 72 million tons by 2029.

Southeast Asia accounts for 6% (53 million tons) of global sales of packaged food. Growth of 23.5% to 66 million tons is forecast for the region by 2029. Indonesia is the largest sales market.

The high demand for packaged food in North America could lead to a surge in investment in food machinery and packaging technology in order to increase production capacities and serve the market.

In September, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector (NuV) were 5% higher in real terms than in the previous year. Domestic orders fell by 19%, while orders from abroad increased by 10%.

Smart manufacturing increases efficiency and quality through AI, IIoT, big data and virtual twins - for optimal use of resources, less waste and a fast response to market changes.

Skills shortage meets technology: intelligent HMIs, VR training and assistance systems enable intuitive operation, faster familiarization and targeted training through microlearning.

Markus Rustler is Managing Partner of Theegarten-Pactec GmbH & Co. KG in Dresden and, among other things, Chairman of the Confectionery Machinery Division. He talks to us about industry trends and reveals his motto.

On 26 November 2025, twelve VDMA member companies will showcase innovative solutions for the efficient, safe, sustainable and flexible production and packaging of confectionery products and snacks in Mumbai.

In August, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector were 11% higher in real terms than the low figure for the previous year.

At the start of the world's leading trade fair drinktec, the industry is in robust shape. Exports continue to grow - by 6 in the first half of 2025 alone. Particularly strong: the EU-27 with 10.2%, the USA remains the most important single market.

Exports of food processing and packaging machinery will continue to grow in the first half of 2025, bucking the trend in the mechanical engineering sector as a whole.

On September 16, the topic at drinktec will be PFAS: The EU is planning to regulate the broad group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as part of the REACH regulation. Possible bans have far-reaching consequences for mechanical engineering.

Juri Winkler is Managing Director of Diosna and Deputy Chairman of the VDMA's Bakery Machinery Division. He talks to us about what it takes to remain competitive as a company and where he finds inspiration.

At drinktec 2025 from September 15 to 19 in Munich, the VDMA and its cooperation partners will be presenting a selection of innovative processes and systems for the beverage and liquid food industry.

In July, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by 15% in real terms compared to the same month last year. Domestic demand fell by 30%, while foreign orders dropped by 11%.

Bio-based, recyclable, reusable: Krones is researching how alternative packaging for beverages can be compatible with existing and new machines. One example of alternative container materials is the pulp bottle.

Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector were down 5% in real terms in June compared to the same month last year.

AROMAnoALK improves the taste of dealcoholized wines by recovering aromas from fermented pomace. The process increases quality, reduces waste and strengthens sustainable production - especially for smaller businesses.

As a member of the Executive Board, Markus Tischer is responsible for "International Operations and Services" at Krones AG in Neutraubling. He talks to us about current challenges and what would help his company.

The future prospects for manufacturers of beverage machine and dairy technology are positive, as the global beverage industry is growing dynamically. The global sales volume of soft drinks will increase by 16% to 972 billion euros by 2028.

The new industry expert of the Africa Business Network in Angola identifies concrete business opportunities for German suppliers of food processing machinery, packaging machinery and agricultural technology.

Consumption habits are increasingly changing in the direction of health optimization. The market for products with health benefits and little or no sugar is growing.

The ongoing digital transformation is helping companies to improve existing value propositions and develop new ones.

The focus of the beverage and liquid food industry is on intelligent circular systems and sustainable resource management in the production and packaging process as well as on the responsible use of raw materials.

With the "AJCsens", the Fraunhofer IVV presents a smart spray cleaning system for demand-oriented tank cleaning, which offers a forward-looking answer to the constantly increasing pressure on time and resources thanks to its high savings potential.

The oscillating quartz-based sensor technology CoControl-QCM enables reliable inline detection of a wide range of contaminants, such as product deposits, biofilms and crystalline fouling.

The AI-supported monitoring system makes it possible to predictively detect fouling during the production process. This makes it particularly suitable for the production process of high-protein products such as yogurt drinks or mixed milk beverages.

With Material Hub, developers and designers can search for materials across suppliers and according to customizable technical criteria.

Michaela Marquardt is Managing Partner of ASTOR Schneidwerkzeuge GmbH in Storkow. She talks to us about what motivates her most and where she finds inspiration.

Here you can download our digital press kit and the press kits of our cooperation partners.

The decline in production in 2024 in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by just under 2% to 16.1 billion euros, while exports rose sharply - from 6% to 10.6 billion euros.

The office has compiled a list of addresses of testing laboratories for food contact materials.

We produce monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish these via the NuV-Telegram newsletter and make them available for download here.

Nadina Korthäuer is a member of the Management Board and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at ESPERA-WERKE in Duisburg. She talks to us about the challenges and trends in the industry and what she likes to do in her free time.

The VDMA reports a decline in production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector of just under 2% to EUR 16.1 billion, while exports grew by 6% to EUR 10.6 billion.

The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors. Plastic dominates sales of retail packaging for food and beverages.

Spain increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.1% in 2024. Companies exported machines worth 77 million euros.

Italy increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.8% in 2024. Companies achieved a record level of 182 million euros in foreign trade.

The applications of plant proteins are creamy, crispy, juicy and sustainability-conscious: the Department of Food Biotechnology and Process Engineering at TU Berlin is presenting its current research results at IFFA.

The future prospects of the supplier industry for the meat and protein sector are positive, as the global food industry is developing dynamically. Germany is on its way to becoming the leading market for meat substitute products.

Here you can download our digital press kit and the press kit of our cooperation partner, the Fraunhofer IVV.

How alternative ingredients and textured proteins are used to create meat substitute products with the typical meat structure.

Powerful sensor solutions for real-time inline monitoring of the contamination status are essential in order to design cleaning processes completely in line with requirements and thus significantly save production time and cleaning resources.

The "Exo-MCD" is an intelligent robot for automated and reproducible cleaning of systems and production environments.

"CleanAssist": The combination of highly integrated tracking sensor technology, spray cleaning simulation and a digital twin enables reliable quality assurance and consistent documentation for manual cleaning processes.

Carelessly discarded packaging pollutes oceans and landscapes worldwide. The images of environmental pollution are well known and the need for action is great. Every individual bears responsibility.

Holistically sustainable: from production to packaging - innovative solutions for environmentally friendly meat and protein processing.

Digitalization and AI are revolutionizing production processes. Real-time data analysis, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance ensure greater efficiency and customer benefits. Discover the future of meat and protein processing!

Maximum performance in meat and protein processing: Optimized production processes, automation and flexible system concepts reduce costs and increase efficiency. Find out how OEE and TCO ensure your competitiveness.

After a ten-year growth period, German manufacturers of machinery for processing meat and alternative proteins were unable to record renewed growth in 2024.

It is with great respect and deep appreciation for her life's work that we bid farewell to Adelheid Windmöller, who has now passed away at the age of 88 after a fulfilled life as an entrepreneur.

China approves two new substances for use in food contact materials (FCM). The announcement concerns an additive and a resin.

Jochen Eißler is Head of the Process & Automation Solutions division at Hermann Waldner GmbH & Co. KG. He talks to us about where he sees the biggest challenges and trends in the industry.

Which packaging is more sustainable, paper or plastic packaging? There is no general answer to this question, as it depends on the product to be packaged and the resulting requirements.

Optimized packaging design and innovative processing techniques have led to packaging becoming lighter and lighter over the years, with the same or better packaging performance and stability.

China's National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center (CFSA) plans to approve new uses and substances.

Second edition of the Guideline for Metals and Alloys for Food Contact published.

This collection of links leads to various websites of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association on this topic.

For several years now, we have been producing monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish the latest editions via the monthly newsletter NuV-Telegram.

Silicone is to be removed from the Chinese standard GB 4806-11. The office has commented on the corresponding draft GB 4806-XX-2023.

The economic reports for 2025 on important foreign markets in the food and packaging industry, compiled exclusively for the VDMA by gtai, are now available in German and English language.

EU Regulation 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food came into force on October 10, 2022, replacing the previously applicable EU Regulation 2008/282. The new regulation applies to all plastic types and recycling technologies.

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are currently polarizing opinion. The EU has come out in favor of a blanket ban on around 10,000 chemicals in this group of substances. At first glance, a well-intentioned approach to protecting the environment, but the announcement puts important industries at risk.

The VDMA Association publication no. 10 specifies minimum requirements for the sterilization performance of VDMA hygiene class IV filling machines and describes the framework conditions for proper operation.

The checklist, first published in 1997, has undergone a regular revision.

Transfer motor data to the inverter via the existing connection cable: A new technology can close the digitization gap between encoderless motors and inverters. This enables fast and error-free commissioning.

The joint industrial research project aims to identify suitable surrogates for Aspergillus species for the microbiological validation of UV-based disinfection processes.

The Weihenstephan Standards (WS) define a communication interface for the standardized transmission of machine and process data to higher-level IT systems. The WS can be implemented quickly and easily in all machines in the food and beverage industry.

The newly launched research project investigates the resource-saving cleaning of pipelines made of food base materials in the food industry.

VDMA Standard Sheet 8751 deals with the specification and verification of energy and media consumption on packaging machines and related processing machines, while VDMA 8752 deals with the recording of set-up and cleaning times for these machines. Both VDMA standard sheets were editorially revised in the course of the transfer of DIN 8743 to the successor standard DIN EN 415-11: 2021-12.

Throughout the year, our trade association organizes various events on technical topics, mostly relating to the special features of the food machinery sector.

Here you can download our digital press kit as well as the press kit of our cooperation partner, the Fraunhofer IVV.

Completely revised: The 33 "FAQs on food contact materials (FCMs) in the EU" published by the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association were updated in August 2025 to reflect the current EU legal situation.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) has approved six new food contact additives and two new food contact resins, and expanded the scope of nine substances.

Experts from the European Food Safety Authority have concluded that a "chopped carbon fiber" filler for PEEK is safe for use in FCMs.

Hygienic design is often no longer an option, but a necessity resulting from legal or market requirements. This article provides references to further information.

Für Inverkehrbringer von Lebensmittelbedarfsgegenständen gibt es dann eine Anzeigepflicht. Die Übergangsfristen enden am 31. Oktober 2024.

The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) publishes various publications within its regulations.

Small and medium-sized companies benefit from research results that they would have no or only limited access to with their own resources. The following article provides an overview of interesting projects.

Transitional periods apply to the first placing on the market.

Here you will find an overview of the leading trade fairs of the German Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association.

The joint industrial research project aims to develop numerical prediction models for cleaning duration with computing times that are practicable for SMEs.

The future trends of the meat processing machinery industry depend on various framework conditions such as laws, economic policy, but above all on consumer behavior.

VDMA Future Business has published a new picture of the future, "Biologicalization of Industry 2035". Is the trend relevant for manufacturers of food processing and packaging machinery?

Whether sausages, schnitzel or burgers - the trend towards meat substitutes is unbroken. But what does the world market for them look like? What are the trends? Here you will find the answers.

China's National Health Commission has published a revised food contact standard that specifies the methods required to test the overall migration of food contact materials (FCMs).

This article reveals which safety standards are currently being worked on.

Machine manufacturers are often confronted with fuzzy or not explicitly expressed sterilization requirements when supplying to industries with increased hygienic requirements.

Here you will find an overview of our committees and working groups for the areas of markets and economic activity as well as technology.

On 11 May 2021, the spring meeting of the VDMA Forum Packmittel on the topic of circular economy and sustainable packaging took place as part of a web meeting.

A new implementing decision *) on the harmonized standards for machinery in support of Directive 2006/42/EC has been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The world is becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambivalent (VUCA). What mindset and methods you can use to cope with this and position your company accordingly.

VDMA-Study: Joint press release by Munich Strategy and VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association of 15 March 2021

New edition 2021 published

In Part 1 of the VDMA Future Business Study "German Food Machinery Industry 2035" we presented four future scenarios that you can use as a stress test for your corporate strategy. With Part 2 "Strategies for the German Food Machinery Industry 2035" we go one step further.

The Western industrialized countries could lose their leading role to China, with far-reaching consequences for food and packaging machinery manufacturing. How does it look for Brazil?

What does the future of the German food processing machinery industry look like in 2035? The VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association and its members have developed four visions of the future.

The question is: What applies to plastic materials for food for infants?

Presentations from the VDMA Info Day of the same name with basic information for GMP beginners.

Within the scope of the joint research project initiated by the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, promising sensor technologies are being further developed to prototype maturity.

Sharing experience. Observing technologies and markets together. Bundling know-how. These are the central concerns of the "Packaging Forum" in the VDMA.

The guide sets out the requirements for communication between component and machine arising from FDA Guideline 21 CFR 11 for electronic documentation in the GxP environment.

What is HACCP? What does HACCP mean for mechanical engineering? The term Critical Control Point (CCP) is particularly misleading in practice. This FAQ article clarifies the terminology and gives hints for further information.

The Food Machinery and Packaging Machinery Association has published a position paper on materials and articles for contact with gases for food applications dated 4 October 2016.

The European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) is a peer community of machine and component manufacturers, professionals from the food industry and research institutes and health authorities.

The objective of the cooperation concluded in 2012 with the Industrievereinigung für Lebensmitteltechnologie und Verpackung e.V. (IVLV) is to promote industry-related collaborative research. (IVLV) is to promote industry-related collaborative research.

The German Association of Food Processing and Packaging Machinery has published an English translation of its sample certificate for materials in contact with food and has editorially adapted the German edition. It supplements the existing documents on the subject of Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004.

The VDMA Process Machinery and Apparatus Association has published a leaflet on the riboflavin test with the issue date December 2007. The riboflavin test is used to check the cleanability (accessibility).

IFFA in Frankfurt is the world's leading trade fair for the meat and protein industry.

The DIN EN ISO 16444-14 Cleanrooms and associated cleanroom areas - Part 14: Evaluation of the cleanroom suitability of equipment by particle concentration in air (ISO 14644-14:2016) has been published by Beuth-Verlag with issue date 2017-01.

The VDMA Food Processing Machinery and Packaging Machinery Association sees its position confirmed by its own migration studies.

Latest Update from Food and Beverage Industry in India

"Navigate the Future of the 'Beverage' Industry" - drinktec Day & Press Conference is successfully held

Information on the current publication of selected standards/drafts, in particular of "NA 003-01-14 AA Pipes and components for the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries".

With the Packaging Forum, three VDMA trade associations created a joint platform for member companies.