No other industry trade fair can compare when it comes to representing the global packaging market in its entire variety and scope. The interpack in May this year will again offer the packaging and related process industry the biggest international overview of the market, thereby more than earning its motto “simply unique”.
Around 2,700 companies from around the world will meet in Düsseldorf from 4 -10 May, 2023, to present cutting edge technologies and packaging trends from along the entire value chain, demonstrate chances for growth and respond to the challenges of the industry.
They will show the latest developments when it comes to sustainability, processing and packaging technology for a better life, or efficient production processes that are less resource intensive. Around 2,700 key players and newcomers from all over the world are using interpack as a stage to present their premières, and celebrate the long-awaited reunion of the global packaging industry.
Food, beverages, non-food and industrial goods
The food sector is among the most favored target groups of visitors to interpack, and this shows in the breadth of their presentation. The global demand for packaged foods is increasing. In saturated markets with strong incomes, conscious consumption and consumer behavior also shifts towards sustainability, regional produce, organic food or fair trade, and this includes packaging. Like the current challenges posed by energy management and conservation of resources, this causes a process of transformation within the sector.
Packaging materials and packaging
In Halls 7 and 7a, 8a, 9 and 10 of interpack is where visitors can view at least a third of all exhibitors with all their materials and their finished packaging products. This presentation, which is not only for users, of packaging, packaging materials and packaging aids is already the largest packaging trade fair in the world. This also makes interpack unique. Here is where all packaging materials are represented and there is an especially high number of innovations in the field of sustainability and conservation of resources, for example in using new materials, sustainable raw materials, or increasing the amount of recyclates used in packaging.
Sustainable material innovations
Much is happening on the market for packaging, packaging material and packaging aids. Visitors can expect many novelties, for example at Metsä Board in Hall 8a. The company specializes in the development of light cardboard and recyclable barrier cardboard. ”With our products and services, we can reduce the carbon footprint of packaging throughout the value chain, from optimal material selection, packaging design, 3D simulation and enhance recyclability and production efficiency. We have a clear roadmap to move to 100% fossil free products and production by the end of 2030,” is how VP Communications Marjo Halonen describes the focus of the company.
Packaging systems by SCHÜTZ are used a million times every day the world over. At interpack, the company presents novel products like the Green Layer series, which aids customers in minimizing their carbon footprint. “For Schütz, for our global team and for our internationally active customers, interpack is the world’s largest and most important platform for communication and information. We will present novel products which are ideal for a circular economy and optimize the supply chain of our customers both economically and ecologically,” says CEO Roland Straßburger, vice president of interpack.
ProAmpac Flexibles with creative solutions for the area of flexible packaging. “ProAmpac is thrilled to be back at interpack as this trade show allows us to meet with a wide range of brands worldwide. We are eager to discuss ProAmpac’s approach to sustainable packaging solutions and how we can collaborate with customers on even more innovative flexible packaging solutions,“ says Ali McNulty, Market Manager Europe.
Starlinger offers machines for producing woven plastic sacks, as well as systems for recycling plastics, extruding and refining PET. “At interpack 2023, we are for the first time presenting our new sack tailoring system alongside our most recent product developments in the area of woven sacks. Our focus is on circular economy, production that uses resources responsibly, and on energy efficiency”, says Angelika Huemer, Managing partner Starlinger & Co, with regard to participation in the trade fair.
Labelling, marking, finishing
How to mark products, safely, efficiently and in an intelligent manner, is what visitors can learn, for example, at Bluhm Systeme in Hall 8b. Here and in Hall 8a, the spotlight is on packaging as a medium of information. “This year, the marking world of interpack is concentrated within one-and-a-half of all the 18 trade fair Halls. We are already looking forward to many talks with our customers, to the impressive design for our booth and the many new products. 300 m² offer us enough space for a close-up presentation of our highlights” says Andreas Koch, Sales Director at Bluhm Systeme.
“We are delighted that with interpack, the largest leading trade fair is happening again this year – and right on our doorstep,” says Matthias Rauen, Sales Director of Langguth GmbH, which is also represented in Hall 8b. “With our labelling machines, we want to meet the modern demands of the production world with regards to more efficient machines, higher degrees of automation as well as the service demands made of production systems, like OEE data recording or predictive maintenance.”
Exciting specials at interpack open up new perspectives
From packaging world stars and newcomers to roving reporters, food rescuers and the co-packer scene, to unique women and the movers and shakers of today and tomorrow: Visitors can look forward to many exciting special features at interpack.
“We are diving deep into the most important topics in the processing and packaging industry,” said Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack. “We are putting tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges on the agenda. That is why we have redesigned our supporting programme. We look forward to numerous voices from experts as well as ground-breaking innovations and projects.”
Focus on packaging innovations
Like no other trade fair, interpack stands for major product launches, technological news and packaging innovations. These will be highlighted again this year through award ceremonies.
The “WorldStar Packaging Awards” 2023, which will be presented by the World Packaging Organisation, WPO, at interpack, will be of particular appeal. The “PackTheFuture Award” of the German IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoff-verpackungen and its French partner ELIPSO will also be handed out during interpack. The award honors innovative and sustainable packaging solutions made of plastic
SAVE FOOD Highlight Route
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. The SAVE FOOD booth in the North Entrance Area will also provide information about the initiative and show initial results of the joint study with Istanbul Bahçeşehir University (BAU) on the production of bio-based packaging materials from food waste or food by-products. For more information on the fight against food loss and waste, the “Product Safety” theme day on May 9 in the “Spotlight talks & trends” lecture forum is a valuable place to start.
All in all, the interpack is raring to go. The exhibitors will be presenting packaging and processing technology for tomorrow. Visitors will find information on all aspects of trending topics of the industry. Start planning your visit, now to get the most from your trip. To meet up with the Dr. Harnisch team, please let us know a convenient time. We are looking forward to May in Düsseldorf.
