Ipack-Ima launches Pharmintech 2004

At Achema, Guido Corbella, managing director of Ipack-Ima, launched the first trade fair wholly dedicated to the processing and packaging needs of the pharmaceutical industry: Pharmintech 2004, a fair of technological innovations for the pharmaceutical and para-pharmaceuticals industry.

The first show is scheduled to take place at the BolognaFiere exhibition complex in Bologna, Italy, from 8-11 June, 2004. Corbella said: 'This unique exhibition is the first specialised trade-fair in the world to cover the full range of pharmaceutical production-related issues, from raw materials right through to logistic services, marketing, and sales networks, inclusive of all processing and packaging stages and contract services as well.'

Launching the event in Germany is especially important given the growing, irreversible integration of European markets. Corbella said that while Germany will continue to be the venue for the most important tri-annual exhibition of what's new in the chemical industry, Italy will host the leading integrated trade-fair of the pharmaceuticals sector and as such the event will extend to include other related sectors such as the biotechnology, cosmetics, and nutrition sectors.

Pharmintech 2004 is sponsored by leading trade associations, including the ISPE - Italian Affiliate, and the Italian Association of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery Manufacturers (UCIMA). The president of ISPE- Italian Affiliate, Mario Garassino, said about Pharmintech 2004: 'Events may be "eventful" or "uneventful", an opportunity not-to-be-missed or simply a waste of time and money.

'This is without a doubt a high-profile, high-powered event packed with innovative ideas. There's a time and a place for everything and this is definitely it when it comes to the quality and quantity of domestic and international state-of-the-art know-how and expertise in the sector that the pharmaceuticals professional is sure to come across at this venue of excellence. It was about time!'

Special attention will be given at the fair to the discussion of scientific issues for which a number of symposia will be run. A highly representative steering committee, whose members include some of the leading authorities in the field, is currently supervising the programme of events.

Mr. Marco Vacchi, Chairman of event sponsors, the Italian Association of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery Manufacturers (UCIMA) said: 'Bologna and its hinterland boasts the highest concentration in the world of automated machinery, equipment, and systems manufacturers. There's probably no better venue than this for cutting edge technology to meet the growing demand for innovative solutions in the fast-changing pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and nutrition sectors. That's why leading companies in these sectors have already acknowledged the paramount importance of the event and announced their participation.'