Pacprocess MEA, a processing and packaging trade fair for the Middle East and Africa, will be rebranded as interpack MEA from 2026. The event will further expand its role within the interpack alliance network, with Messe Düsseldorf strategically developing the trade fair and reinforcing its presence in the region. The show will continue to be held alongside Food Africa, offering additional opportunities for exhibitors and visitors to establish business contacts and explore technologies for processing and packaging applications.
According to Messe Düsseldorf, the change comes six years after the inception of pacprocess MEA and is intended to align the event more closely with international markets in the Middle East and Africa. Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack and the interpack alliance, stated that the new name positions the trade fair as a central hub for the processing and packaging industry in the region and reflects the dynamic development of the industry while firmly anchoring the event in the organiser's global network. The rebranding aims to leverage the established reputation and recognition of the interpack brand to increase international appeal and participation.
Announcement during current edition in Cairo
The decision to rebrand pacprocess MEA as interpack MEA was announced during the opening ceremony of the current edition of pacprocess MEA, held in parallel with Food Africa. Food Africa is described as Africa's most important food trade fair and is also part of the interpack alliance. The trade fair duo is scheduled to take place from 9 to 12 December 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo.
The organisers report that more than 1,200 exhibitors from 45 countries will participate in the 2025 edition and that the exhibition grounds are fully booked, with numerous key industry players expected to attend. Both events benefit from the support of the local business community, authorities, associations and Egyptian government organisations. The opening ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the Egyptian government, including the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade and the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, among others.
Organisers and partnership structure
Food Africa and the future interpack MEA are organised by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with local partners IFP Group and Konzept. These partners contribute local market knowledge, long-term organisational experience and regional networks. According to the organisers, this combination is intended to create favourable conditions for both exhibitors and trade visitors by aligning international technology suppliers and solution providers with regional demand.
Tamer Safwat, Managing Director at Konzept - Exhibitions & Event Management, emphasised the current investment trends in the region: "Industry in Egypt and the entire MEA region is investing heavily in efficiency, automation and quality standards. With the new interpack MEA brand, we are creating a link between this growing demand and international solutions that will enable the next step in development."
Albert Aoun, Chairman & CEO of IFP Group, underlined the role of the event as a business platform: "With interpack MEA, we offer companies in the region exactly the platform they need for their growth course. We support them in investing more quickly, tapping into new technologies and positioning themselves more successfully in the market."
Regional market dynamics and growth potential
The organisers identify the Middle East and Africa as among the fastest growing regions globally in terms of processing and packaging demand. For the food packaging segment alone, the regional market is reported to have been worth around 23 billion US dollars in 2024, with projections indicating growth to more than 33 billion US dollars by 2032. This development reflects increased consumption, expansion of food processing capacities and rising requirements related to product safety and quality standards.
Within this context, Egypt is highlighted as a country of strategic importance. The Egyptian market is investing heavily in packaging and processing capabilities, including the establishment of new production zones and the modernisation of existing facilities. International brands are expanding their capacities in the country, while local companies are reported to be professionalising their processes. With an expected packaging market volume of around 4.9 billion US dollars in 2030, Egypt is classified as one of the fastest growing packaging markets worldwide.
These trends generate opportunities for a broad spectrum of suppliers, including technology providers, machinery manufacturers and materials producers. For the plastics and packaging value chain, this encompasses equipment for processing and packaging lines, automation and inspection systems, as well as polymer-based packaging materials and related components. The organisers position interpack MEA as a platform for converting this market potential into specific investment projects and business partnerships.
Role of interpack brand and future schedule
As interpack MEA, the trade fair is expected to benefit from the continuity and global brand recognition associated with interpack. Messe Düsseldorf underlines that the event will remain part of the wider interpack alliance, which connects regional trade fairs with the flagship interpack show in Düsseldorf and aims to provide coordinated access to key growth markets for the processing and packaging industries.
By operating under the interpack MEA name, the organisers intend to further increase international interest, attract additional technology suppliers and strengthen the event's function as a regional hub. The combination with Food Africa is presented as a way to link food industry demand with processing and packaging solutions in a single venue, thereby creating synergies for exhibitors and visitors.
The first edition under the new name, interpack MEA, is scheduled to take place from 7 to 10 December 2026 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo, following the 2025 edition still held under the pacprocess MEA name.
