Organised in conjunction with IPACK-IMA, Pharmintech by Ipack Ima is the event promoted in association with BolognaFiere that focuses on pharmaceuticals, biotech, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. These sectors, which are closely linked to packaging and processing, complement the existing offerings at the trade fair, broadening its cross-sectoral appeal.

The event will be led by Sergio Dompé, who as well as chair of Dompé Farmaceutici is also a leading figure in the Italian industrial landscape, a repository of the culture of innovation that makes Italian products so unique. Not only that, since 2023, Sergio Dompé has also chaired the Leonardo Committee, a think tank responsible for promoting national excellence in all areas of industry.

The power of networking

“As chair of Pharmintech and the Leonardo Committee, I can't praise enough local pharmaceutical companies' contribution to Italian products, which include sectors with a significant market penetration internationally and core drivers for the development of countrywide system.” At the opening of the 2024 event launch conference Mr Dompé commented that “In the case of Pharmintech, there is an additional key player in the sector, which is the trade fair system, as it plays a crucial role as a hub, a space for networking and dialogue between the market and its key players. Rather than closing themselves in, isolating themselves, and therefore risking the creation of critical masses, the cities of Milan and Bologna have, instead, opted to showcase the excellence of the entire country. This approach has contributed to the development of Italian brands that, while perhaps less glamorous than the major fashion and car brands, nevertheless represent a strength in Italy's economy. In a world where background noise is growing, being able to create a new balance while remaining united requires an ethos of cooperation that extends to include manufacturers of drugs, machines, and technologies. A winning combination that only trade fair alliances like the one between Milan and Bologna can deliver, through projects such as Pharmintech by Ipack Ima, which stands as both a model of success and a strategic competitive asset within the system.  

Culture and passion for Italian products converge at Pharmintech

Networks can never truly fulfil their potential without professionalism, a quality that - combined with passion - forms a defining trait of Italian industry. Sergio Dompé continued by exploring these themes:

“Thanks to the work of the exhibiting companies, which are all leading names in the world market, we Italian business owners and our workforces - made up of specialist professionals who are passionate about their work - know we can make a difference when it comes to the success of Italian products. This difference takes the form of 40 years of business performance during which pharmaceutical production has risen from 18 to 70%, effectively taking up the role as Europe's main manufacturing hub. Companies are crucial actors in this growth and success, for both the sector and the national system, and Pharmintech is a perfect example of this. Offering an ideal space to showcase the excellence of the sector and its technology, along with what lies ahead in these areas, the fair focuses on essential issues such as artificial intelligence and IoT. These connected technologies (IoT) and generative technologies (AI) are designed to both reduce errors and enhance production. Through these innovations, the sector now has advanced tools for devising strategies based on appropriate, complex, properly processed information. The use of integrated digital instruments like these is bringing growing benefits for both manufacturing and society, including a 20% to 30% reduction in operating costs and up to 50% fewer treatment errors."

A high-performance sector comes together at Pharmintech

In Italy and Europe, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets have recorded constant growth. In 2023 alone, in Italy, the market value has risen to over €52 billion, with an annual growth of 6% (up 60% since 2018) and over €49 billion in exports. With respect to total manufacturing, pharmaceutical exports have increased from 3.8% to 8.3% in 20 years. Focussing on these outstanding levels of performance, Sergio Dompé ended by saying:

“A look at economic data reveals that the Italian manufacturing system has demonstrated all its potential and compactness, with a 35% increase in patent applications (compared to an EU average of 23%) and exports reaching 90%, including a 3% rise in packaging. This data highlights how Pharmintech represents an ecosystem of innovation in which digitalisation and IoT play an increasing role, with performances far above the country average and a growth forecast of around 8% by 2027, for a turnover in excess of 495 million USD. Pharmaceuticals and medical products can clearly be said to provide a driving force for the national system in terms of economics, innovation, and professionalisation. These sectors also support research and development in medicine, which now guarantees an increasing life expectancy and makes up over 80% of spending in the pharmaceutical industry. Also worthy of mention is the opportunity for a better quality of life offered to the 350 million people who - in recent years - have had access to primary care for the first time, reducing mortality rates in some populations by 60-70%. In this context, research and design, together with digitalisation, are essential prerequisites to guarantee society innovation and wellbeing, which is the main priority of the pharmaceutical and medical world.”