Automate UK, the leading UK trade association for the processing and packaging machinery, automation and manufacturing sectors, has aligned with a collective of European Trade Associations to found a federation dedicated to influencing policy around the key challenges impacting the industry.
EUROPAMA (the Processing & Packaging EU Federation) has been founded as the European umbrella organisation for the processing and packaging machinery industry. The federation unites leading national trade associations to advocate for the sector's interests with EU institutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in relation to industrial policy, sustainability, and technological transformation.
Credit: Automate UK / EUROPAMA
AUK Europama launch
Created with the intention of providing a stronger collective voice and influence at a European level, the federation was established at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf by Automate UK alongside founding members VDMA (Germany), UCIMA (Italy), Evolis (France), AMEC (Spain) and Swissmem (Switzerland).
EUROPAMA aims to use its voice to address a wealth of core issues including sustainability regulations, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), industrial competitiveness, automation and robotics policy and trade and manufacturing policy at a time when regulation and AI are reshaping the landscape of manufacturing. EUROPAMA will assist its members in dealing with new regulations so that they in turn can support their own membership.
Dan Thombs, Chief Executive Officer at Automate UK, said: “The creation of EUROPAMA marks a significant milestone in strengthening ties between British and European manufacturing innovation communities.
“With two-thirds of all machines worldwide being made in Europe, it leads the future of processing and packaging machinery and is uniquely placed to align industry leadership with EU policy priorities whilst driving productivity and growth within the sector.
“Post-Brexit, it is vital that UK automation and packaging machinery businesses retain influence over regulations that affect European supply chains and exports, and it is our intention that in collaborating with our partners within Europama, our members will have a place in the discussions despite the UK no longer being an EU member.”
Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, added: "Automate UK has evolved in recent years, proving itself to be far more than an events organisation committed to supporting the manufacturing and automation sector and increasingly cementing its position as a policy and productivity body.
“The establishment of EUROPAMA represents our continued commitment to ensuring that UK businesses remain firmly connected to European manufacturing innovation networks.
“By creating stronger links between European automation and packaging machinery associations, we can in turn help members navigate increasing regulation and sustainability requirements, and provide them with the access, insight, and relationships they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace,” he added.
EUROPAMA will offer member organisations access to a wide network of European counterparts, industry intelligence, regulatory guidance, and opportunities to participate in trade events across the continent.