170,500 visitors filled exhibitors‘ order books

At interpack 2017, record attendance of 2,865 exhibitors was followed by trade fair days with high spirits and further records: 74?% of the visitors travelled to Düsseldorf, Germany from abroad – three quarters of them were decision-makers.

The high percentage of German and international top-notch experts from a total of 168 countries made for highly satisfied faces among exhibitors, who delighted at promising business contacts and even concrete deals concluded in the seven-digit range. Visitors in turn benefitted from an internationally unrivalled multitude of innovations on display and a unique market overview. This was also reflected in the corresponding high scores they gave the trade fair: just under 98 % stated in the official survey that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their visit to interpack 2017. They took an interest in all ranges and segments of interpack but packaging media received significantly more attention than at the previous event.
Proving a top trend at many booths was the further digitalisation of production processes on the way to Industry 4.0 applications. Production linked along these lines makes it possible to manufacture personalised packaging efficiently or to guarantee traceability, to name but two options. Furthermore, the modular design of packaging machines and process lines and optimised digital operating concepts play a pivotal role in order to reduce complexity in manufacturing and achieve the highest degree of flexibility possible for changing batch sizes or product versions.
Some companies even focused on virtual reality applications that allow machines or equipment to be experienced holistically in order to manage complexity better even in the manufacturing process of machinery and equipment as well as in training and operation. The sustainability theme also remained “omnipresent” at interpack 2017. Companies presented improved resource efficiency in terms of both the material used with ever smaller wall thicknesses and of manufacturing processes. Moreover, alternative pack­aging materials are gaining ground.
Not only the exhibitors had innovations in store for Industry 4.0 – the interpack special show of the same name organised in cooperation with the German Engineering Federation VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V.) also showcased the latest ideas and approaches and was received extremely well by visitors. Six years after the initiative Save Food was launched, it has grown into a broad-based alliance of over 850 international members from industry, associations, NGOs and research institutes. One of the milestones of the Initiative is the Save Food Congress at interpack; its third edition was highly praised by delegates for its broad thematic coverage.

Practical solutions for minimizing food losses

The congress pursued a multi-dimensional approach in order to address the issue of food losses and waste comprehensively. Over the course of the congress, the perspective changed, focusing either on global views or national details and con­ditions – with India as a focal theme this time. Innovationparc, the special show organised as part of interpack 2017, also addressed the theme of Save Food and presented very practical solutions for minimising food losses and waste. These also included the finalists and winners of the WorldStar Awards of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).
Next interpack will be held from 7 to 13 May 2020 at Düsseldorf ­Exhibition Centre – then with a completely new South entrance and a new Hall 1. •