Virus may prompt new interest in flexible packaging; Hannover Messe postponed

A new focus on safety of the food supply chain in China over the spread of COVID-19 may increase demand for flexible plastic packaging in the country, according to an industry watcher.

"The coronavirus outbreak is reportedly thought to have started at a wholesale seafood and meat market in Wuhan," Brendan Connell-French, a research associate at Wood Mackenzie, the global energy and chemicals research and consultancy group, said in a March 4 news release. "These 'wet markets' can be a breeding ground for the spread of animal-borne diseases and viruses. In response to the risk, the Chinese government is reportedly considering a change to meat handling and distribution practices, and tighter regulations could lie ahead."

Increased use of flexible packaging for fresh and processed meats and seafoods in China could make a difference in reducing the risk of future virus outbreaks, he said, by improving sterilization, tracing and recall and extending shelf life.

"However, wet markets are an integral part of Chinese life. Local preference for freshly butchered meat won't evaporate overnight, even with a strong government stance," Connell-French said. "But while the likelihood of wholesale changes in purchasing habits remains low, a public health crisis of the nature and magnitude of the coronavirus outbreak could spark a change in tastes and preferences."

Because Chinese use of flexible packaging for fresh and processed meat and seafood is so low, even a subtle shift of production to larger corporations with more packaging used in distribution could have an impact on growth, he said.

"The coronavirus outbreak could stimulate a redesign of wet markets and start to alter the landscape for fresh meat and its distribution," Connell-French said.

Organizers have postponed Germany's Hannover Messe, the world's biggest trade show for industrial equipment including robotics and automation systems, for the first time in its 70-year history, over the spread of the virus, Plastics News' sister publication Sustainable Plastics reported.

Originally scheduled to take place April 20-24, the event will now be held July 13-17, Deutsche Messe said in a statement March 4.

The venue said it was unable to meet the guidelines of the Robert Koch Institute for major events, which call for comprehensive health-protection measures when organizing trade fairs. Deutsche Messe said it was unable to satisfy these requirements at such short notice and added that implementing these would also interfere with the "smooth organization" of the event.

On the other hand, organizers plan to move forward with the New York International Auto Show, set to open to the public April 10, with health precautions in place to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses at the event.

So far, the event has had no exhibitors drop out over coronavirus, Chris Sams, a spokesperson for the NYIAS told Plastics News in an email March 4.

"We are in communication with state and local officials and the ... Javits Convention Center, and, at this point, there are no plans to cancel any shows at the facility due to coronavirus," a news release stated.

In preparation for the auto show and in light of the virus, the Javits Convention Center installed 70 hand sanitizer stations, increased cleaning of "high-touch" areas and hired a team of on-site paramedics through advise from government health agencies.

"The auto show has implemented new standards for all vehicle detailing companies providing services for the event," the release said. "Those measures include the use of disinfectant cleaning agents and increased frequency."

Tarsus Group will postpone its 2020 Labelexpo Southeast Asia event, due to take place in Bangkok May 7–9, due to concerns over coronavirus.

Tarsus said in a news release March 4 that the show will now take place Sept. 10-12.

"This is an unprecedented situation, and given the vast amount of preparation that goes into our shows, not a decision we have taken lightly," Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, said in the release. "However, the health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors and staff is our top priority, and working on the advice of our local partners and BITEC, we feel the best course of action is to postpone the show until September."

"We have been continuously monitoring the situation in Thailand and the wider Southeast Asia region, and are following all local government advice, as well as that of the World Health Organization," Milburn added.

All other 2020 Labelexpo shows are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned, the release said.

New Hope Network postponed its Natural Products Expo West, originally scheduled for March 3-7 in California, after consecutive days of updates on the effect the virus would have on the event. The Network said in a release that it expects to announce new dates for the expo by mid-April and still intends to hold its Natural Products Expo East, as scheduled, in September in Pennsylvania.