Industry leaders gather in Mexico City ahead of Latin America’s largest packaging and processing event as investments in automation, AI, and productivity accelerate.
México, México City; 19 May – More than 50 media representatives gathered in Mexico City on May 19 for an exclusive preview of EXPO PACK México 2026 (June 2–5, 2026; Expo Santa Fe, Mexico City), where industry leaders highlighted the technologies, market forces, and investment trends reshaping packaging and processing operations across Latin America.
The press conference featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders, including Celia Navarrete, Director of EXPO PACK; Erick Suárez, President of AMEE (Asociación Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje); Pedro Hugo Alcalá, General Director of AMEXXICOR (Asociación Mexicana de Cartón Corrugado); Juan Pablo Gómez Sepúlveda, Director of Product Development and IT at GS1 México; and Laura Bonilla, Former President of CANAINCA.
Organized and produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, EXPO PACK México is the region’s premier packaging and processing exhibition, bringing together global suppliers and buyers from more than 40 vertical markets. The pre-show press conference explored how manufacturers are responding to growing demands for efficiency, workforce solutions, automation, and sustainable production.
“Manufacturers across Mexico and Latin America are under increasing pressure to improve productivity, address workforce shortages, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market,” says Celia Navarrete, EXPO PACK director. “EXPO PACK México 2026 will give companies the opportunity to see automation, robotics, AI, and integrated solutions in operation and connect directly with suppliers that can help modernize their operations. The level of innovation and international participation already confirmed for 2026 reflects the continued growth and momentum of the region’s manufacturing sector.”
The event comes at a pivotal time for the industry. According to PMMI’s Trends and Opportunities in the Packaging Machinery Market in Mexico 2026–2027 report, investment in packaging and processing machinery continues to rise despite economic uncertainty and cautious spending behavior.
In 2025:
● 71% of companies increased investment in packaging and processing machinery
● 32% increased spending by 5%–20%
● 22% increased expenditures by 20%–40%
● 17% expanded investments by more than 40%
Companies are prioritizing investments to expand capacity, replace obsolete machinery, accommodate new product formats and SKUs, and implement automation and digitalization initiatives — highlighting the industry’s focus on efficiency, flexibility, and long-term competitiveness.
Manufacturers also continue to navigate challenges related to workforce availability, ROI concerns, supply chain constraints, and the pace of automation adoption. As a result, many companies are taking a phased approach to modernization. Currently, 67% of companies prioritize semi-automated solutions, while 13% are focused on fully automated operations. At the same time, adoption of advanced technologies continues to grow, particularly in AI-driven machine vision, predictive maintenance, industrial and collaborative robotics, and automated guided vehicles.
Sustainability remains another key area of focus, especially initiatives centered on operational efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization.
EXPO PACK México 2026 will showcase the technologies helping manufacturers address these evolving needs. More than 700 exhibitors spanning 20,000+ net square meters of exhibit space will present machinery, automation, robotics, digital technologies, AI applications, and integrated systems covering the entire production lifecycle.
The international event will feature country pavilions from leading manufacturing regions around the world and is expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees from industries including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, household products, automotive, and other consumer packaged goods sectors.
Attendees at EXPO PACK México 2026 also benefit from the active collaboration of 14 strategic partners representing leading organizations in the packaging and processing industry.
• CANAINCA — Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Conservas Alimenticias
• ANPDAPAC — Asociación Nacional de Productores y Distribuidores de Agua Purificada y Bebidas Carbonatadas
• CANIFARMA — Cámara Nacional de la Industria Farmacéutica
• CANAGRAF — Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Artes Gráficas
• CANAFEM — Cámara Nacional de Fabricantes de Envases Metálicos
• IFT — Institute of Food Technologists
• CANACINTRA Puebla — Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación, Delegación Puebla
• CANACINTRA León — Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación, Delegación León
• AMEE — Asociación Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje
• CIG — Cámara de Industria de Guatemala
• CRECEX — Cámara de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica
• AMEXICCOR — Asociación Mexicana de Envases y Embalajes Corrugados
• CONAFAB — Consejo Nacional de Fabricantes de Alimentos Balanceados y de la Nutrición Animal
• GS1 — GS1 México
As one of the most influential business platforms for the packaging and processing industry in Latin America, EXPO PACK México continues to connect manufacturers with the technologies, expertise, and global suppliers driving the future of production and packaging and processing innovation.
For more information and to register for EXPO PACK México 2026, visit expopackmexico.com.mx
