Drupa 2024 is upon us, the entire exhibition area of Messe Dusseldorf has been booked by over 1500 exhibitors representing 50 countries. As always, Italy will have a leading role, 3rd country after Germany and China in terms of number of exhibitors
“There is great expectation for #drupa 2024, we are very satisfied because as regards the presence of Italian exhibitors, we have reached the same target as the last edition, there was a certain turnover of companies, but square meters are the same, and it is certainly a good sign for the Italian industry that wants to compete in international competitive scenarios”, says Armando Honegger, owner of Honegger, the company that represents Messe Dusseldorf in Italy.
As confirmed by Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa-Portfolio Print Technologies, the numbers confirm the great expectation for the event that has been missing for 8 years. “At drupa 2024 we will have around 1500 exhibitors from 50 countries who will occupy the entire exhibition surface. We are very happy that, as usual, there is a very strong presence of exhibitors from Italy, Germany is the first nation with 360 exhibitors, followed by China, Italy is in third place with 134 exhibitors. The presence of companies is growing, especially from China and India, in line with market trends, but Europe remains the most represented continent at the fair”, comments Sabine Geldermann.
An exhibition proposal in step with current trends
The focus will be on intensive knowledge transfer and interaction with experts from around the world on the effects of global megatrends and related new business models and opportunities for the sector. Dedicated forums such as drupa cube (conference area), drupa next age (dna), the exhibition area for new players, start-ups, young talents and established exhibitors in the field of transversal technologies, as well as touchpoint packaging for visionary and intelligent packaging solutions, the textile touchpoint where a textile micro-factory will be built and the sustainability touchpoint, dedicated to sustainability and the circular economy, offer an interesting and current vision on the themes of the future with high growth potential. With its thematic program, the fair is in step with the times and is at the same time an expression of a highly creative industry that continuously taps into new vertical markets with its industrial and functional applications and solutions, thus demonstrating its great sustainability over time.
“Our sector is constantly moving, especially the packaging sector, which is recording a growth of 4% and which demonstrates how this industry has a bright future. Sustainability is certainly central, and I must say that at a European level there are legislative issues that contribute to worsening the climate around the packaging sector. Another important focus is that linked to digitalisation, and I am sure that we will be able to improve the efficiency of the processes when we allow the different technologies to communicate and work together. Artificial intelligence is certainly another topic on which we need to reflect but it can be an important lever for attracting young people, and in this regard together with Messe Düsseldorf we will organize a sort of Forum. We will also have several touchpoints within drupacube, including one on #packaging and one on sustainability”, tells us Thomas Schiemann, we had the opportunity to listen to him at the Italian stage of the road Map to Drupa last end of February.
Drupa 2024 focuses on important topics for the future with dedicated forums
The five dedicated forums at drupa 2024 open new perspectives and offer an immersive view of the printing and packaging industry of tomorrow, networking with technology leaders, emerging players and users, and specifically focusing on key industry trends.
drupa cube
The drupa cube stands for intellectual leadership and will be the central stage for future-oriented content in 2024. Keynote speakers, expert panels and workshops ensure the transfer of know-how and interaction. The conceptual and strategic partner is the British agency The Marketing Cloud, responsible for implementing the program also in previous editions.
drupe DNA
The dedicated drupa dna forum represents a sort of innovative technological engine for networking between industry newcomers, young talents, start-ups and established companies. drupa dna offers a space for face-to-face networking and provides a perspective on future technologies that will give the industry innovative momentum. Key topics include additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, new materials, platform economy, predictive maintenance, printed electronics, remote services, new business models and process design.
touchpoint packaging
Touchpoint Packaging (TPP) focuses on visionary packaging solutions and brings together brand owners, designers, material suppliers, print service providers and converters. The involvement of students and young talents, such as the students of NABA, the New Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, in collaborative projects with exhibitors promises intelligent packaging solutions in the sectors of folding cartons, labels, flexible packaging and of corrugated cardboard. Furthermore, important topics such as sustainability and e-commerce will be addressed. The participating companies cover the entire process chain.
The European Brand and Packaging Design Association (epda), the leading European association of brand and packaging design agencies, is responsible for the dedicated forum. MINTEL Germany, an innovative market research company, is the project’s new content partner and provides interesting insights into consumer trends and their influence on the industry. The tpp is also supported by the EHI Retail Institute in Cologne as a representative of the retail sector.
Touchpoint Sustainability
The sustainability touchpoint is the ideal place for updates on the circular economy and sustainable printing. As drupa’s historic partner, VDMA, the Association of the German Mechanical Industry is responsible for this dedicated forum. Visitors will be able to admire examples of good practices and innovative solutions in the field of sustainability: for example, how can energy consumption and the use of resources in production processes be reduced by optimizing technologies? How can printing materials and inks be reduced to the minimum levels required? And how are the finishes made while respecting the environment? The sustainability touchpoint will offer a central platform and stage for the transfer of know-how on these and other topics.
This touchpoint does not look like a classic trade fair stand. Rather, it provides an industry-wide overview of the state of the art, challenges and opportunities of the global sustainability megatrend. It is therefore both a showroom and a platform for dialogue. “drupa is the world’s leading trade fair for our industry. As a platform for exchange, discussion and know-how transfer, it is the place to discover how megatrends such as sustainability, digitalization and technological innovations will influence the future of the printing and paper industry. Cross-sector forums such as the sustainability touchpoint are important “because the best way to ensure greater sustainability is working together on necessary innovations”, says Andreas Pleßke, president of drupa committee and CEO of Koenig & Bauer.
We invite you to come and see us at our stand in Hall 9, B01 stand, to get the copies of Converter Flessibili-Carta-Cartone and Converter & Cartotecnica with the 2024 drupa preview.
