Dr Michael Okoroafor, VP for packaging R&D and innovation at HJ Heinz, will gave a keynote address at the East Afripack tradeshow in Nairobi on 9-12 September.
His participation was announced at Interpack 2014 in Dusseldorf this week.
Okoroafor is considered to be one of Africa’s leading experts in food and beverage packaging. He joined Heinz from Coca-Cola, where he was director of global packaging R&D with responsibility for foodservice, design and decoration, and packaging lab services.
Last month, on 22 April, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) announced a joint venture with Ipack-Ima Spa, the Italian firm behind East Afripack.
Ipack-Ima Spa CEO Guido Corbella said: “This agreement is going to further reinforce the sharing of strategies and goals with PMMI. It will be a crucial contribution to the growth of East Afripack and its establishment as the landmark exhibition in the East Africa market.”
PMMI’s president and CEO, Charles D Yuska, said the association is entering East Africa at a time when “the economic landscape is changing and seeing new growth areas”.
PMMI represents more than 600 packaging and processing supply chain companies and runs events including the Pack Expo tradeshows.