A-PACK OSAKA was held in 1958 for the first time as “a new packaging exhibition” and the A-PACK 2011 OSAKA will mark the 38th holding. During the history of the exhibition up to this present day, we have experienced various economic backgrounds including steep economic growth, the bursting of bubble economy and, more recently, simultaneous recession across the world. We can proudly say that the exhibition contributed to packaging business in no small part during its 50-year history, introducing technological development in the packaging and logistics industry and setting up a stage for business negotiations with customers.

Particularly after 1990, the issue of packaging waste began to be highlighted, creating new packaging needs including not only the system of energy saving and streamlining, but also weight reduction, recycling and CO2 -reducing packaging materials. The 21st century encompasses a significant theme for packaging – a new approach for packaging and logistics in the recycling society.

The name of the exhibition was renewed from OSAKA PACK to A-PACK ahead of time, swiftly incorporating “A” for ASIA in its name, in an effort to attract a broad range of foreign visitors worldwide. It is now an “Era of Asia”, with major Asian nations such as China as a core, and we expect that exchange between Japan and other Asian regions will greatly expand. The theme for A-PACK 2011 OSAKA is “New Technology for packaging, logistics and environmental response: pioneering the 21st century in Asia.” The exhibition will be a perfect event for the current needs of the global society.

A-PACK 2011 OSAKA will be held for four days at INTEX OSAKA from May 18 (Wed) to May 21 (Sat), 2011. In addition to packaging materials, machines, logistics machines/equipment and environmental response, the field of package converting equipment has been improved with special zones: (1) a paperware/paper-craft & cardboard box machine zone, (2) a stickers/labels zone and (3) a packaging film processing technology zone.

Upon the holding of the exhibition, I would like to mention that the generous support and cooperation from persons and corporations concerned is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.