After a six-year hiatus, it will be a great homecoming to the showgrounds in Düsseldorf, as the global packaging and processing industry prepares for the kick-off of mega trade show Interpack.
Interpack is the world’s biggest international trade show for the packaging and processing industries. It’s fair to say no other industry trade fair can compare when it comes to representing the global market in its entire variety and scope, and offering visitors the biggest international overview of the market.
Around 2700 companies from around the world will meet in Düsseldorf from 4 to 10 May, 2023, to present cutting edge technologies from along the entire value chain, demonstrate opportunities for growth, and innovative solutions that respond to the challenges of the industry.
Welcome event for ANZ visitors
If you're attending Interpack, you can register now for the Australia / New Zealand networking event on 5 May to be hosted by APPMA, PKN, and the Interpack organisers. The event starts at 4pm sharp, and runs to 5.15pm. Places are limited so register soon.
Themes on trend
In keeping with global trends, among the dominant themes at this year’s Interpack will be circular economy, resource management, and digital technologies.
‘Circular economy’ is the prevailing buzz-phrase in sustainability discussions. While simple in concept, it is also all-encompassing in the processing and packaging industry. With the goal to reuse waste as a resource, and to inculcate a ‘design for recycling’ mindset and methodology, much of the innovation on show will be designed to be as reusable as possible.
Resource management feeds into this. With the global economy marked by supply bottlenecks and scarcity of material, and the world’s focus on climate protection, it’s no wonder the packaging industry is focusing on resource efficiency. Seminars to run concurrently at the show will include discussion on how production processes should be reorganised and how material flows can be adjusted to optimise resource management.
Six years on from the last Interpack, and with the digital transformation of manufacturing gaining momentum, it’s clear digital technologies are here to stay. Evidence of digitisation integrated into automated machinery as well as smart packaging applications will abound on the show floor. Forum discussions will look at the advantages and risks that come with increased digital and automated operations.
There will be a number of special events and designated zones to complement the main show. Around 30 exhibitors at Interpack are also members of the Save Food Initiative, which since 2011 has been dedicated to fighting the global loss and waste of food. The ‘Save Food Highlight Route’ offers visitors an insight into new technologies that help reduce food losses and increase product safety.
Every year, new start-up companies enrich the world of packaging. Ten of them will make their first major appearance at Interpack 2023 and present themselves to an international trade audience in the Start-up Zone in Hall 15, including Recyda, Easy2cool, Packwise and Releaf Paper. Included are exciting innovations from software solutions for recycling or the supply chain, sustainable materials or packaging.
Interpack stands for major product launches, technological news and packaging innovations. These will be highlighted again this year through award ceremonies, including the WorldStar Packaging Awards 2023, which will be presented by the World Packaging Organisation on 6 May.
The WorldStar award is considered the most prestigious packaging accolade globally. This year, there will be a total of 228 award winners, demonstrating the innovative strength of the industry. This year’s edition also features new and exciting categories: Gift Packaging, Digital Packaging and the special category Accessible Packaging. Around 400 participants are expected to attend the awards ceremony. The ANZ region is up for 19 awards, with a strong contingent of Australian companies attending the ceremony to collect their awards. PKN will be there
