Organisers say that drupa 2024 will show how the print industry is on course for worldwide growth. Counting 1,642 exhibitors from 52 nations, they say that drupa is the world’s biggest trade fair for print technologies. They expect around 200,000 trade visitors from over 180 countries for the 11-day event that begins next week.
Sabine Geldermann, director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies Messe Düsseldorf, says, “drupa brings the global ranges of innovative technologies, latest market developments and information together in one place. The show occupies the entire Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre on more than 140,000 square metres in 18 halls. With these figures drupa underscores its position as the most important hub for the global print industry.”
Trends
This year, digitalisation, sustainability, and production automation will feature as the the pivotal trends and topics for drupa. Thomas Schiemann, managing director of the German VDMA Print and Paper Technology Association, sees opportunities for growth. He says, “The industry has good prospects for the future, but it has to be prepared. Hardly any other topic is as important to us at drupa 2024, and throughout the mechanical and plant engineering industry as sustainability. This is true from an ecological and an economic perspective.
“We are delighted to create a cross-sector platform for exchange, discussion and knowledge transfer for the future of the print and paper industry with our Touchpoint Sustainability, where 30 global players and partners will showcase the latest, energy-efficient print and manufacturing technologies.”
“Our industry is growing and also has a future The sector posted sales of over €837bn ($1.48tn) in the past fiscal year.”
He says that, in a current study, industry analysts assume that the global print industry will achieve annual average inflation-adjusted growth of over 2.1 per cent over the coming five years after posting 1.1 per cent growth over the past five years. Schiemann says that labels and packaging will drive this development.
This development, says Schiemann, will mainly be driven by the labels and packaging segments.
drupa 2024 will open for trade visitors from May 28 to June 7, 2024.
