SPECIAL REPORTS - PPMA PREVIEW 38 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS July/August 2025 www.hpmag.co.uk This September, the PPMA Total Show returns to the NEC at a time when UK manufacturing continues to adjust to shifting pressures around regulation, sustainability and operational efficiency. While automation and digitalisation remain headline concerns, there is also a quieter emphasis on incremental change—on equipment that works reliably, reduces downtime, and supports compliance without demanding wholesale transformation. The 2025 edition of the show runs from 23 to 25 September and is set to host more than 350 exhibitors representing over 1500 brands. The machines on display, ranging from food processing systems to automated inspection, coding, filling and end-of-line packaging, serve industries facing similar challenges: ageing infrastructure, tighter reporting requirements, and rising input costs. Live Demonstration Theatre One of the most notable highlights this year will be the Live Demonstration Theatre. Unlike traditional stand-based demos, the theatre offers scheduled presentations of newly launched equipment, many of which will be shown in the UK for the first time. Exhibitors present their systems in timed slots, with real-time commentary from engineers and sector experts, supported by PPMA Show TV which broadcasts the sessions live and on screens throughout the hall. For those trying to assess equipment performance without being crowded around a machine in a busy stand, this provides a more structured and visible format. Planned participants include Ishida, Solent Automation, Fristam Pumps, Mosca, CEIA, Epson, Minebea Intec and others. The theatre forms part of a wider attempt to make the show more accessible and better aligned with how engineering teams actually plan. Visitors can also take part in Innovation Tours - guided routes through selected stands, grouped by application or sector - and make use of a new app which allows for scanning, note-taking, and quick followup. The layout of the show itself has also been revised to reflect industry groupings more clearly, with zones for sectors such as food and drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and contract packing. While the event is primarily focused on machinery, the context in which these technologies are being assessed has changed. There is greater emphasis on traceability, packaging legislation, energy efficiency and integration with digital quality systems. Equipment providers are expected not only to demonstrate performance, but also to explain how their solutions support broader operational and compliance goals. Though the full seminar programme had yet to be finalised at the time of writing, recent editions of the show have featured discussions around regulatory change, resource management, predictive maintenance and data use in factory environments. This year’s sessions are expected to continue that thread, with a view towards helping businesses navigate upcoming packaging rules, traceability requirements and sustainability targets without disrupting their existing lines. Automate UK Awards Elsewhere, the Automate UK Awards take place on the evening of Wednesday 24 September, recognising developments across processing and packaging. The awards tend to spotlight areas of incremental innovation—improvements to reliability, cost efficiency or usability— rather than grand transformation. For those looking to gauge where change is actually happening in the sector, the shortlist may be as useful as the winners. With such a range of exhibitors and machinery types, visitors looking to make informed decisions whether for near-term procurement or longer-term planning will benefit from identifying key targets and scheduling time for the demonstrations and tours most relevant to their needs. While the event does offer a snapshot of emerging trends, it’s the ability to ask practical questions of suppliers and see real kit in operation that remains a key draw. For further information please visit: https://www.ppmashow.co.uk New technologies to be put through their paces at PPMA 2025 PPMA Total Show 2025 returns to the NEC in September, offering a focused look at processing and packaging machinery in operation. With live demonstrations, new product launches and a growing emphasis on compliance and efficiency, the event provides a practical setting for evaluating technology under real manufacturing conditions. H&P reports.
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