Unpacking PACK EXPO with Rebecca Marquez, Director of Custom Research at PMMI
At the 30th PACK EXPO Las Vegas earlier this month, From the Cold Corner sat down with Rebecca Marquez, director of custom research at PMMI.
Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, PACK EXPO Las Vegas was among the largest and most comprehensive packaging and processing shows of the year, bringing together over 50,000 packaging and processing pros on a show floor boasting 2,300 exhibitors.
The focus on sustainability has done “a complete 180,” over the last decade, Marquez said.
“When I started with PMMI, we were doing nothing in sustainability, and it wasn't that we were ignoring it. People were not asking for it. Right. I mean, it just wasn't, nine years ago it wasn't a thing yet,” Marquez said. “Then we started to get more into regulations that are changing, like EPR (extended producer responsibility). And we also weren't doing much with materials either – now we've got a whole suite of sustainability products and even a stage (at PACK EXPO).”
Materials manufacturers and equipment suppliers – the majority of exhibitors at PACK EXPO – will need to innovate to meet changing regulations faced by their customers, the end-users.
“We're in the process right now of educating our membership. That's a really tough one because the machine builders in our industry are actually exceptionally talented and they build machines that last for a long time, so legacy equipment poses a huge problem for some of these things. People in the industry have to have a voice in this,” Marquez said.
In addition to her responsibilities in PMMI’s Business Intelligence and Custom Research unit, Marquez oversees the design, execution, analysis and production of PMMI’s market research products for external and internal clients.
Ahead of the show, PMMI released its 2025 State of the Industry report, showing the U.S. packaging machinery market reached $11.3 billion in 2024, posting 2.7% growth. The F&B sector accounted for over 40% of all packaging equipment purchases last year.
Bringing OEMs to the table is part of Vision 2030, PMMI’s continuous improvement forums, aimed at uncovering solutions through ongoing conversation.
"I like to call it a solutioning session because we take a topic that tends to be a common issue for both (CPGs and PMMI members). And we put them in a room, and we moderate the session, and try to have them come to solutions on their own. We're trying to get some consensus on some things,” Marquez said. “What we're doing right now is trying to hold conferences and we are succeeding where we involve everyone – every voice of the packaging supply chain, because they're all important.”
"I like to call it a solutioning session because we take a topic that tends to be a common issue for both (CPGs and PMMI members). And we put them in a room, and we moderate the session, and try to have them come to solutions on their own. We're trying to get some consensus on some things,” Marquez said.“What we're doing right now is trying to hold conferences and we are succeeding where we involve everyone – every voice of the packaging supply chain, because they're all important.”
FedUp Foods & Its Next Chapter of Functional Beverages
From the Cold Corner is joined by Rebecca Marquez, director of custom research at PMMI, where she oversees the design, execution, analysis and production of PMMI’s market research products for external and internal clients.
Listen to more From the Cold Corner podcasts.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
