“This sector needs personal contact to achieve quality professional relationships.”
Latamcan is counting down the hours to its 2025 edition, a veteran fair in which the magic word resonates: sustainability. This will be applied to consumption, printing processes and waste reduction in inks, varnishes and lubricants and the development of eco-sustainable packaging. This edition will also show new options for machinery and control of operations in a sector that, according to the founder of this fair, Raúl Martínez, needs personal contact to achieve long-lasting quality professional relationships.
- How did the idea of Latamcan come about? How strategic is Brazil as a venue?
Latamcan has been held since 2014 under this name, but in reality it has been held for more than 30 years and was known as LatinCan. Our events began to meet the need of metal packaging manufacturers in Latin America to obtain information on new developments that are generated by different global suppliers. Especially in terms of processes, machinery, raw materials, supplies, services and new technologies. Many of the local manufacturers do not have the possibility to attend events in other regions and Latamcan offers them the possibility to participate very close to their areas of influence with a minimum expense.
Brazil is one of the main options for Latamcan due to the high number of metal packaging manufacturing plants present in the country. All of the world’s major 2-piece aluminum container manufacturing companies have different factories in Brazil, as well as dozens of steel container manufacturing plants. In addition, the hotel we have chosen for the second time to hold the event in Brazil has enviable facilities, perfect for our format.
- Latamcan has been celebrated since 2014 How has Latamcan evolved in recent years and what technological innovations have been key to the company’s growth?
The technological innovations that have allowed Latamcan to grow steadily are many. When we started organizing these events 30 years ago, the communication technologies that existed were only telephone and fax. Today we have many other tools among which I can mention the internet, social networks and especially email.
But the main tool I believe is the personal and individual contact that I began to cultivate since my early years as a representative of companies supplying the metal packaging industry, visiting dozens of plants throughout the region. This personal contact has allowed me not only to get to know individually the main players in our industry, but it has also allowed me to maintain professional and friendly relationships with many people that today I count among my best friends.
- At Latamcan different presentations are held with leading industries that deal with different aspects related to metal packaging, from coatings, to inks and printing and screen printing of cans, quality controls, energy efficiency, etc. What do you consider to be the most important aspect for the next edition? Which of these aspects are the attendees most interested in?
Presentations during Latamcan have traditionally focused on offering new technologies that help increase the efficiency of production and control processes. Most of the suppliers participating in the technical presentation program offer information on new developments in the technical areas of production and quality control, but in recent years we have seen increasing interest in the recycling of raw materials, the conservation and generation of electrical energy and the reduction of potential contaminants in wastewater.
Another important topic we see frequently is the preparation of the next generation, both in the management areas of companies and in the training of operational personnel. We already see how several global companies have dedicated a lot of time and effort in offering preparation and training options for personnel to work on the production lines.
- How does Latamcan see the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in the packaging and visual communication industry? Is this section already present with some companies and speakers?
Since 2023, there has been increasing interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence, not only in the common areas of text writing and artwork generation for printing, but also in the implementation of this new tool in production processes. We see how many of the conversations between suppliers and packaging manufacturers include ideas on how to apply this new tool in production processes and especially in process and quality control.
- In the context of sustainability, what are the details that will be most visible at Latamcan?
Most of the presentations in the technical program for this 2025 edition focus on new machinery and operation control options. But sustainability issues will also be addressed.
Latamcan is not only a forum for presentations, it also offers a large exhibition hall under the modality of commercial tables or tabletops as they are known in English. In this room, individual conversations include sustainability issues, reduction of water and electricity consumption, how to improve the printing process by keeping a strict control on the use and waste of inks, varnishes and lubricants, development of eco-sustainable packaging, equipment for better control of operation and waste, improvements in maintenance processes to extend the useful life and efficiency of the printing process, improvements in maintenance processes to extend the useful life and efficiency of existing equipment, sustainable solutions and reuse of inputs, use of pneumatic efficiency to reduce energy costs and the implementation of best practices to comply with new regulations that are constantly being implemented by different governments and multilateral entities.
- There are very new aspects in metal packaging, such as the user experience with containers where accessibility, customized designs, cans that offer much more than just a container for a food or beverage. Are these types of novelties to be seen at Latamcan? Can you give us a preview of any specific novelty in the sector that can be seen at the fair?
I cannot give details at the request of most of the exhibitors, but I can mention that participants will be able to see the different options offered by some suppliers to differentiate containers on the shelf, improvements in printing using AI and new can and lid designs that make the product more attractive. Of course, a very important topic is the recycling of raw materials used by metal packaging manufacturers.
- What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the packaging industry today?
I believe that the current challenges are centered on compliance with environmental regulations and the preparation of personnel to work in the productive areas of the different companies. And a new aspect that has packaging manufacturers very concerned is the statements of the recent U.S. administration regarding the imposition of tariffs that in some cases could reach 25%.
- What differentiates Latamcan from other trade fairs?
Firstly, we are a small, regional event that has never sought to compete with the large, established global trade fairs, which have been organizing major events for decades and are highly respected.
But in particular, the aspects that differentiate us from other events are: being able to host all attendees, or at least the vast majority, in the same hotel. This is key to offer multiple opportunities for personal interaction. All participants not only share during the technical conferences and exhibition hall, but also have breakfast, lunch and dinner together for 3 days offering opportunities to strengthen business and personal relationships.
Another aspect that differentiates us from a traditional fair is the use of commercial tables instead of stands. This simple change allows costs to be much lower since there is no major investment in set-up and decoration. This format is also highly democratic since, regardless of the size of a company, the space is exactly the same for all exhibitors.
Another aspect is the practicality of registration. With a very small investment, compared to the cost of visiting all the plants participating in Latamcan in the different countries, the same result is achieved. It is an investment with an almost immediate return.
And perhaps the most important aspect is that exhibitors and suppliers participating in Latamcan know in advance exactly which people are attending from each packaging manufacturing organization. This ensures that they will see the people they are most interested in, who are decision makers or with whom they are already discussing possible projects.
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