After a full six years since the previous event, Interpack, the world’s biggest packaging and processing show opens today at the Düsseldorf Messe Centre, drawing packaging professionals from Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Some 2700 exhibitors are presenting innovation and celebrating the long-awaited reunion of the global packaging industry, with tens of thousands of visitors expected over the seven days of the expo. The previous show in 2017 attracted 170,000 packaging professionals. The 2020 show was cancelled due to the pandemic. There are currently no Covid restrictions in Germany, or at the expo.
This year, exhibitors are showing how to change the game when it comes to sustainability, automation, digitisation and more, with a view to developing efficient production processes that are less resource intensive.
PKN Packaging News is at the event, with managing editor & publisher Lindy Hughson reporting in video and online from the show floor. PKN will be connecting with Australian exhibitors and visitors at the show, so if you would like PKN to visit your stand, or that of your global partner, contact editor@packagingnews.com.au to book a time.
For visitors who have come from Australia and New Zealand, the ANZ packaging and processing machinery association APPMA, and PKN, in collaboration with Interpack organiser, are hosting a networking drinks event at the International Lounge, starting at 4pm tomorrow, 5 May. The event is open to both APPMA and non-APPMA members. You can register here.
Hughson said, “We warmly invite all Australia and New Zealand packaging professionals who have made the long trip to join their peers at this special event. It will be a valuable time for all.”
In associated events running during the show, the World Packaging Organisation has confirmed that the 228 winners of the WorldStar 2023 awards will be presented during a Gala Ceremony on Saturday, 6 May, in Dusseldorf. PKN will be in attendance, along with AIP delegates and Australian companies picking up their awards.
In a record edition, the Awards programme registered 488 entries from 41 countries for the 2023 edition, beating out the previous edition, where there were 440 competitors from 37 countries.
In the last edition, Australian and New Zealand companies received the second highest amount of wins in the world with 19, just behind Japan, which topped the table with 26.
Interpack will also be launching a Women in Packaging event for the first time on 8 May, with the session running from 12 noon-2pm, with local packaging identity Nerida Kelton, vice president Sustainability & Save Food, World Packaging Organisation, the moderator for this panel discussion. Click here to register.
Interpack runs 4-10 May at the Messe Centre in Düsseldorf. Check in with www.packagingnews.com.au daily for all the latest updates.