China’s canmaking industry is experiencing “spectacular” growth, and with the continuing expansion of the national economy further development is expected. This was the message at this year’s Cannex Fillex 2024 show, which opened today (16 July) in Guangzhou.

The World Canmaking Congress has attracted thousands of canmakers and suppliers, including fillers, designers, and equipment manufacturers, showcasing the latest metal packaging and filling technologies from around the world.

“I have been coming to China now for 40 years and the progress I have seen in the packaging industry in China over these years has been spectacular,” said Allan Sayers, publisher of The Canmaker magazine and chief executive of SPG Exhibitions, organiser of Cannex Fillex. “Some of the most beautiful examples of metal packaging in the world are made here in China and I am sure you will learn much about our fantastic industry over the next few days.”

Speaking at the show’s opening ceremony, Scott Westphal, president of US-based Can Components Corporation, also emphasised the growth he has witnessed in the country’s canmaking industry:

“I have been in the metal packaging industry for close to 60 years but only came to China six years ago when I attended my first Cannex here in Guangzhou. Even in that short period of time, I have been truly impressed by the way in which the continued expansion of the canmaking industry has been mirrored by a staggering growth of metal packaging manufacturing equipment and supplies, with greater diversity.”

China’s metal packaging industry has developed rapidly since the 1990s, as Chen Jiawen, president of equipment manufacturer Jorson, explained:

“After 2010, the scale of the industry has been expanding and more than 70% of the enterprises are located in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Bohai Bay. With the continuous growth of the national economy, the improvement of people’s living standards, and the importance attached to environmental protection, the domestic canmaking industry will definitely take the foreign can manufacturing industry’s development path into consideration, improve production craftsmanship, enhance processing technology, and reorganise assets in order to seek greater growth in new opportunities.”

“The products, equipment and technology exhibited [at Cannex Fillex] reflect the new trend in the international canmaking field.

“Under the favourable conditions for prosperous development of the metal packaging industry in China, hosting this professional technology exhibition in Guangzhou will play a positive role in the innovation and development of the canmaking industry.”