Packaging Plays a Major Role in drupa Mega Trend: Print 4.0

drupa 2016, the leading international trade fair for print and cross-media solutions, will soon start with a new strategic focus, improved scheduling over 11 days, a new look and shorter frequency (held every three years). With the motto “touch the future” drupa will highlight the industry’s innovative power and provide a platform for future technologies. The focus will especially be on next-generation with themes such as print, packaging production, multichannel, 3D printing, functional printing and green printing. The event will take place from May 31 to June 10 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“With this strategic reorientation and its focus on future and highlight themes, we are obviously on the right track," Werner M. Dornscheidt, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said. "Because the response of international upstream suppliers to the industry has been very good – which was not a given in view of the difficult market environment.”

Approximately 1,650 exhibitors spanning 50 countries will be on hand throughout 19 exhibit halls, proving the versatility and innovative power of their sector.

"International global players and market leaders will present themselves alongside aspiring newcomers and innovative companies from throughout the world," Dornscheidt said. "The complete spectrum of print and cross-media exhibits and topics will be represented. Such a comprehensive 360° view of the entire industry is provided by nobody but drupa."

According to Claus Bolza-Schünemann, chairman of the drupa committee and chairman of the board at Koenig & Bauer AG, the mega trend at drupa 2016 will be Print 4.0.

“Print 4.0 enables individualization and personalization in digital printing," Bolza Schünemann said. "In view of high-quality packaging and the rapidly diversifying range of solutions in industrial and functional printing this digital networking of machines and systems offers the solution and guarantee for efficiency and competitiveness. Print 4.0 is the mega trend at drupa 2016. This is very clear even at this early stage.”

One of the most important highlight themes at drupa 2016 will be packaging production. According to current forecasts, the packaging market will grow to $985 billion by 2018. The dedicated special show “Touchpoint Packaging” consisting of some 20 participating exhibitors, will reflect the relevance of this market. This special forum in Hall 12 (Stand B53) has been designed and organized in close cooperation with the European Packaging Design Association (EPDA), Europe’s leading association of brand and packaging agencies. To cater even better to the special needs of the various user industries, “touchpoint packaging” is divided into four “Future Labs.” These are: “Food & Beverage”, “Non-Food”, “Pharma” and “Cosmetics."

Source: Messe Düsseldorf.