Visitors recently descended upon Vegas for PACK EXPO (Sep 29-Oct 1), the largest tradeshow dedicated to packaging and processing. Hosting more than 2,300 exhibitors, PACK EXPO is produced by The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI). Among those in attendance, Allpax was on hand as part of the expansive, industry-spanning ProMach Metroplex.
From Allpax, ProMach, and beyond, the expo’s overarching themes of sustainability, automation, and innovation were displayed throughout. More than just buzzwords, these industry-defining topics dominated conversations happening across booths, presentations, and networking sessions. Learn why these critical themes dominated conversations at PACK EXPO 2025. Plus, how Allpax makes them a priority year-round in our retort machines and sterilization processes.
Sustainability: A Shared Commitment to a Greener Future
With omnipresent recycling bins and special promotion of green exhibitors, sustainability was a unifying force across every hall. Brands and manufacturers are collectively moving beyond eco-friendly claims to more tangible impact.
- Emphasis on the Circular Economy + Green Materials—More exhibitors showcased recyclable, compostable, and mono-material packaging.
- Increased Operational Efficiency—Innovations focused on reducing energy, water, and material waste across manufacturing processes.
- Education First—Dedicated zones like Sustainability Central and Reusable Packaging Pavilion helped attendees explore practical paths to lower-impact operations.
Key Takeaway: Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s the cost of entry for doing business in packaging and processing.
Automation: Smarter, Faster, More Agile
Like in previous years, automation also permeated many discussions, but in a more integrated and results-driven way than before. Much of the chatter highlighted the growing role of smart, flexible automation, as well as predictive and real-time optimizations.
- Labor Solutions—With persistent skill deficiencies and workforce shortages, automation has become a key answer to improving efficiency and safety.
- Connected Systems—Internet-connected technology and AI advances have quickly enabled functions like predictive maintenance and real-time line optimization.
- Adaptability—Equipment and technology capable of multiple products and quicker, more efficient processes are more highly sought after, like the Allpax Multimode R&D Retort 2402 Series (our R&D retort was on the floor in the Allpax booth at PACK EXPO)
Kay Takeaway: The future of packaging is not just automated—it’s intelligent, connected, and adaptable.
Innovation: Measurable Efficiency and Savings
Innovation at PACK EXPO 2025 focused on real-world results, combining ingenuity with clear ROI.
- Advanced Technology—Systems with advanced tech in their booth stand out more on the showroom floor.
- Material Breakthroughs—New bio-based and barrier paper alternatives are reshaping how brands think about recyclability and shelf life.
- Process Innovation—Because the packaging industry is constantly evolving, new processes are needed to keep pace. Like every year, innovation was in demand.
Key Takeaway: Innovation now means measurable performance — lower waste, higher efficiency, and better transparency.
What It All Means for the Packaging & Processing Industry
The real value of PACK EXPO is seeing how these themes overlap and contribute to the success of one another.
Automation enables sustainable operations → innovation fuels automation → sustainability drives innovation
Sustainability, automation, and innovation are converging to redefine efficiency, responsibility, and creativity across the supply chain. Leading companies treat these three forces not as separate initiatives—but as the foundation of their entire strategy. Discover how machinery, data, and materials can work together to create packaging lines that are smarter, greener, and more profitable.
How Allpax Is Leading the Way in Sustainability, Automation, and Innovation
Allpax Sustainability
Retorts consume a significant amount of thermal energy during the heating steps of commercial sterilization. Then, after the sterilization step, large volumes of water are needed for the cooling process.
Allpax offers two sustainability solutions that allow food manufacturers to improve their energy efficiency. These solutions redeploy heat energy and cooling water that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere or sent down the drain.
How Allpax Retort Room Sustainability Systems can help your sustainability efforts:
- Improved plant efficiency, in terms of utility usage
- Reduced utility usage, thus significant energy and water savings
- Marked reduction of the plant’s carbon footprint
Allpax Automation
Allpax retort room automation provides increased production efficiency and workplace safety of food production facilities. Our batch retort systems can be tailored to meet all levels of automation or manual operation. They also feature future upgradability to automation, as well as handling all types of food containers.
Retort room automation systems from Allpax include:
- Custom material container handling (Comprehensive concept to design to build service)
- Container handling (metal cans, glass bottles, pouches, etc.)
- Retort delivery systems (loaders/unloaders, conveyors, shuttles, etc.)
Learn more about how Allpax can help improve efficiency with retort room automation.
Allpax Innovation
Allpax (along with fellow ProMach companies, Stock America and Ferlo) recently introduced ImmersaFlow®. ImmersaFlow® is a new static water immersion retort process which provides unprecedented control. It is one of the most innovative batch-type commercial sterilization technologies the food processing industry has seen in many years.
The innovative benefits of ImmersaFlow® include:
- Faster, tighter Come Up Time (CUT)
- Shorter heat and cooling cycles
- More consistent temperature distribution
- Increased throughput capabilities
- Better and more consistent product quality
- Overall reduction in energy consumption
Learn more about our innovative ImmersaFlow® technology in this video: