European Trade Associations Form EUROPAMA to Strengthen Industry Policy Voice
A new European federation has been established to strengthen policy advocacy and collaboration across the processing and packaging machinery industry.
EUROPAMA (the Processing & Packaging EU Federation) was officially launched during Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, bringing together leading national trade associations to represent the sector’s interests before European Union institutions. The federation aims to promote cooperation and knowledge sharing on industrial policy, sustainability, technological innovation, and manufacturing competitiveness.
The founding members include Automate UK, VDMA (Germany), UCIMA (Italy), Evolis (France), AMEC (Spain), and Swissmem (Switzerland). Together, they intend to provide a stronger collective voice on regulatory and industry matters affecting the European processing and packaging machinery sector.
EUROPAMA will focus on key issues including sustainability legislation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), industrial competitiveness, automation and robotics policy, and trade and manufacturing regulations. The federation aims to help the industry respond to evolving regulatory requirements while supporting innovation and long-term growth.
Dan Thombs, Chief Executive Officer of Automate UK, said the formation of EUROPAMA represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between British and European manufacturing communities. He noted that Europe manufactures around two-thirds of the world’s processing and packaging machinery, making the region well-positioned to shape future industry policy and technological development.
Thombs also emphasized that, despite the UK’s departure from the European Union, participation in EUROPAMA will enable UK automation and packaging machinery companies to remain engaged in discussions surrounding regulations that influence European supply chains and export markets.
Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer of Automate UK, said the federation reflects the organisation’s growing role in supporting manufacturing policy alongside industry development. He added that stronger collaboration between European automation and packaging machinery associations will help businesses navigate increasingly complex sustainability and regulatory requirements while improving access to industry knowledge, partnerships, and market opportunities.
The establishment of EUROPAMA marks a significant step toward greater cooperation among Europe’s processing and packaging machinery associations as the industry adapts to rapid technological change, evolving sustainability expectations, and a shifting regulatory landscape.
