Savannah, Georgia — October 20–22, 2025. CorrExpo returned with a tighter, more technical focus this year, emphasizing automation, energy efficiency, software, and plant-level ROI. By week’s end, organizers and industry media reported ~1,100 attendees, 153 exhibitors, and 38 sponsors, a solid showing for a corrugated-only event in the U.S. fall calendar.
Why CorrExpo 2025 Mattered to Euro-American Box Plants
Labor constraints and rising energy costs have pushed converters to do more with less. CorrExpo’s program reflected this shift:
- Line-side automation
- MES/ERP interoperability
- Predictive maintenance
- Waste and energy reduction
The event’s theme—“Connecting the Corrugated Packaging Industry to the Future”—was framed around practical transformation, hosted in a North American venue with international participation.
TAPPI’s daily recaps captured the tone: pragmatic, focused, and collaborative.
“Day 2 … captured the innovation and collaboration driving our industry forward.” “CorrExpo is where the corrugated packaging industry connects, collaborates, and builds together.”
The Show Floor: What Actually Moved the Needle
Automation & Line Integration Exhibitors emphasized end-to-end thinking: upstream corrugator controls linked to converting, real-time QC, and plant-wide dashboards. The floorplan featured a wide range of equipment builders, software vendors, and service providers—ideal for benchmarking your own vendor map.
Software & Scheduling Production planning, order accuracy, and uptime analytics kept the halls buzzing.
“Booth [332] will be a must-visit.” — Amtech Software, LinkedIn While promotional, it reflected the heavy software traffic reported on site.
Sustainability Where It Pays The focus was on practical gains: fewer touches, lower trim, tighter starch control, energy monitoring, and faster makereadies—boosting OEE and reducing electricity per thousand square meters.
Numbers That Contextualize CorrExpo’s Scale
CorrExpo remains a focused, North American–anchored event—not a mega-fair.
- ~1,100 attendees
- 153 exhibitors
- 38 sponsors
Pre-show projections were slightly higher, but consistent with a specialized format. For comparison, broader packaging expos in 2025 reported 16,600 attendees and 750+ exhibitors—a different scope, but useful for perspective.
Programming Threads Euro-American Plants Shouldn’t Ignore
- Cybersecurity: With connected plant networks, downtime risk is now a production KPI. → Segment networks, patch systematically, and treat PLCs/HMIs as critical assets.
- Leadership Transition: TAPPI marked a milestone as President & CEO Larry Montague retired—potentially reshaping the association’s corrugated advocacy.
- Community & Pipeline: Workforce development and next-gen talent were central themes, supported by networking events like the annual golf outing.
What European Readers Should Read Between the Lines
- Energy & Emissions: U.S. plants are chasing the same efficiency wins Europe prioritized post-2022—think heat recovery, drives, air systems, and software that quantifies kWh/ton.
- Speed to Change: With demand normalizing, ROI scrutiny is sharper. U.S. vendors now position upgrades around payback windows and predictable uptime, not just speed.
What North American Readers Should Take Home
- European Regulatory Gravity: Even if you don’t sell into the EU, its rules shape specs and scorecards here. What wins in Frankfurt often lands in Chicago next.
- Talent & Retention: European plants rely on automation to run lean. CorrExpo’s focus suggests North America is heading the same way—plan budgets accordingly.
The Bottom Line for Decision-Makers
CorrExpo 2025 wasn’t about spectacle—it was about closing the loop between data and throughput. The most valuable conversations paired machine upgrades with software, training, and KPIs that impact cash flow.
Final tally: ~1,100 attendees, 153 exhibitors, 38 sponsors
If your 2026 strategy depends on squeezing more from your installed base, CorrExpo’s vendor mix and session themes point to where you should look first.
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