It delivered what it promised and exceeded exhibitors’ expectations: the world’s largest and most relevant packaging trade fair set standards yet again from 4 to 10 May, connected the industry on a global level and acted as both a marketplace and content hub. Visitors from 155 countries, many with firm intentions to buy, came to interpack 2023. 2,807 exhibitors showcased the power and creativity of the packaging industry with their technologies and solutions. What was easy to see were the numerous impulses, ideas and concrete business deals which will be implemented over the coming years.
At the end of the trade fair Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf, said:
With interpack we were able to finally hold one of the Messe Düsseldorf’s most important events again. It has reported back impressively and reinforced its position as the global platform for the exchange amongst all players in the packaging sector, related process industries and all user industries. Our targets were exceeded by far.
Altogether approximatively 143,000 visitors travelled to interpack in Düsseldorf, two thirds of them coming from abroad. Alongside many European countries, the largest visitor nations were India, Japan and the USA. Around 75% of visitors came from middle or top management.
interpack at last!” was a phrase frequently heard in the halls because after a six-year break the big community was finally able to meet again in person. And this was reflected in the joy on people’s faces.
Director Thomas Dohse after seven trade fair days declared:
interpack 2023 will reverberate with us for a long time both in business and personal terms. The mood in the halls was great and the intercultural exchange enriching for all sides. It was ‘simply unique’ again.
This was underscored by the positive feedback from visitors, 96% of whom stated they had achieved their trade fair objectives. Just as satisfied were the exhibitors whose expectations had been exceeded many times over.
We thank Messe Düsseldorf for the outstanding organisation. I’m confident that I’m speaking on behalf of all companies here. interpack 2023 is simply a must for suppliers and users from all over the world to exchange experiences and do business,” affirmed Markus Rustler, President of interpack 2023 at the conclusion of the event.
Transformation as an opportunity
Considering current market developments, the enormous challenges but also the even bigger opportunities, this interpack definitely proved one of the most important ones in its history. The need to automate, the will to act sustainably and changed consumption habits are all expressions of transformation.
interpack’s strategic orientation towards the four Hot Topics: Circular Economy, Resource Management, Digital Technologies and Product Safety found concrete expression in numerous innovations. The trade fair, which has traditionally been a key cornerstone in the innovation cycle of the packaging industry and related process industries, also more than lived up to this claim this year.
Sustainable packaging technologies
All facets of sustainability were top themes at interpack. Exhibitors presented high-end technologies and holistic concepts that consider efficiency and sustainability along their entire production line.
Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association within VDMA at interpack stated:
Many companies in the consumer goods industry have set their own sustainability targets. Over the past few years, packaging machinery manufacturers have succeeded in implementing sustainable packaging concepts by means of corresponding technical adaptations and newly developed machinery solutions. interpack is the showcase for innovations and, at the same time, the point of departure for developing further towards a sustainable circular economy.
The many solutions celebrating a world premiere at interpack also included a host of packaging materials and supplies in all their diversity. In excess of 1,000 exhibitors were showcased in this segment alone, making for a new record.
