Chocolate and cocoa expo at the PPMA Total Show

Chocolate has always been a popular confectionery choice, with eye-catching and interesting packaging needed to attract those with a sweet tooth. You can find out more by visiting the chocolate expo at the upcoming PPMA Total Show.

Explore the opportunities at the PPMA Show.

Companies supplying chocolate packaging are invited to visit the PPMA Total Show exhibitor page and review the 500+ machinery indexes.

Why is the PPMA chocolate exhibition a must-visit for chocolate packaging solutions?

The PPMA Total Show is the place to discover chocolate packaging and technology innovations.

Discover the latest in chocolate packaging and technology

Understanding, exploring, and innovating are always a theme of the show. Visitors can:

See the very latest in efficiency-boosting high-output machinery
Explore innovative machinery designed to meet growing consumer demands
Visit hundreds of exhibits, showcasing new technologies and machinery
Review the latest orientation systems, flow and foil wrapping, filling and weighing equipment, automatic loading systems, and other technologies besides

Discover the latest insights and trends at the chocolate trade show

Businesses in the chocolate industry are bound to have difficulty standing out if they don’t adopt new trends and techniques. Attending the show provides opportunities to:

Hear insights from business owners on efficiency, cost savings, and ways of streamlining products
Discuss flexible machinery and equipment with leading suppliers
Discover new and bespoke machinery options to fulfil customer needs

Connect with industry experts at the chocolate exhibition

You can meet and connect with some of the biggest names at the chocolate exhibition. Take the opportunity to chat about industry news and insights with like-minded professionals.

Frequently asked questions

Why is chocolate packaging important?

Like all food and beverages, the chocolate industry is extremely competitive. A unique approach must be taken to rival companies that have dominated the sector for decades. The chocolate market in the UK alone is valued at around £4 billion. It doesn’t matter if your product is the best - no one will want to try it if they aren’t convinced by the packaging. So the packaging is, arguably, more important than the chocolate itself.

For those keen to explore the latest trends and technologies in chocolate packaging, the PPMA Show is one of the leading machinery exhibitions in the UK. Book a stand or register to gain vital industry knowledge and expertise.

Aside from customer attraction, chocolate packaging also needs to protect the product, preventing exposure to heat or damage. Businesses are constantly seeking new ways to proactively protect their products at the same time as balancing their costs.

As one of the UK’s leading machinery exhibitions, the PPMA Show is ideal for those keen to explore the latest trends and technologies in chocolate packaging. Book a stand or register to gain vital industry knowledge and expertise.

What are the challenges of the chocolate packaging process?

Chocolate comes in various shapes and sizes; from bars and larger tablets to individual chocolates, Neapolitans and coins. Products are cut or moulded into squares, rectangles, balls, eggs, stars and other eye-catching forms for appealing product differentiation. Innovations in chocolate wrapping machinery are needed to satisfy increasingly challenging demands.

Besides the variety of products which chocolate wrapping machines are required to package, there are further challenges in terms of hygiene, speed and accuracy. Chocolate also needs gentle handling in environments where the temperature is neither too high nor too low, with moisture levels having to be carefully controlled.

What is the chocolate packaging process?

The chocolate packaging process begins with a feed of the chocolate product from hoppers, drums, trays, belts or feeder tubes.

The primary packaging process involves wrapping the product in a material such as aluminium foil, polymer film, coated paper, or a combination of two materials. Single-stage packaging wraps chocolates in a single operation using one or two materials. Double-stage packaging wraps in two consecutive operations. The wrapping can be twisted, folded, glued, or laser-sealed.

Secondary packaging overwraps the product in materials such as cellophane, polypropylene films (including pouches), cardboard, and paper. Chocolate products may come in single-item packaging or multipacks.

Tertiary packaging procedures place the wrapped products in trays or cartons (including display cartons) which can be sealed in cellophane to protect the cartons from moisture or other damage.

The final stage of packaging makes the products ready for dispatch in shipping cartons or on pallets.

What are the types of chocolate packaging machinery?

Chocolate packaging machinery comes as either stand-alone equipment or as a complete system. The choice of system depends on speed and volume requirements, budget, and type of product. Major producers prioritise efficiency and high output levels, while the growing artisan chocolate market concentrates on the final look of the packaging to support higher retail prices.

Chocolate products can be packaged by hand, but as with other products, hand-working is slow, labour-intensive and less accurate than machine-driven packaging. However, because there are no machinery investment costs, hand wrapping remains an option for very low-volume artisanal chocolates produced for small food fairs or limited local distribution.

The next step involves the use of low-speed machines, commonly with a roll of foil for primary packaging and a stack of paper or board for folding around the product. Flexibility is often vital, given the variety of product sizes and shapes.

For high-volume outputs, complete automatic or semi-automatic systems are required, including FFS (form, fill, seal) machinery.

The elements in complete systems can comprise:

Orientation systems for efficient feeding
Flow and foil wrapping
Vertical FFS machines for loose products in pouches and bags
Horizontal FFS machines for bars and tablets
PLC (programmable logic control)
Filling and weighing equipment
Buffering systems for feeding and loading
Automatic loading systems
Wraparound tray and carton packing

What is the best packaging for chocolate?

The best packaging for chocolate typically balances protection, presentation, and convenience, with options ranging from sealed bags for individual pieces to elegant folding cartons for boxed assortments. Shelf life, branding, and consumer preferences also need to be considered. To name some examples, sealed bags or pouches are ideal for maintaining freshness and portion control, while rigid boxes add a touch of luxury to premium chocolates.

How important is automation for chocolate packaging?

Automation for chocolate packaging and its importance depends heavily on the scale of your operation. There are fair cases for using versus not using automation.

At the higher end, businesses will need complete automatic or semi-automatic systems, which is where automation shines. Machinery such as vertical FFS machines and horizontal FFS machines excel here.

What are the challenges of the chocolate packaging process?

The chocolate industry faces many challenges when it comes to packaging, including:

Maintaining product integrity in varying temperatures
Ensuring proper sealing to prevent moisture and air exposure
Preserving the aesthetic appeal of delicate chocolate shapes and designs
Meeting strict food safety regulations and labelling requirements
Balancing efficiency and speed while maintaining high-quality packaging standards

Chocolate Trade Show & Exhibition