The packaging industry in Düsseldorf after six years

For those in the product packaging and processing business there was only one “place to be” from 4 to 10 May: Interpack in Düsseldorf. Under the heading “Welcome Home” the trade fair welcomed visitors from all over the world, and the joy of finally coming together as an industry was great. The world’s largest and most relevant packaging trade fair connected the industry on a global level and acted as both a marketplace and content hub. Visitors from 155 countries 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.

“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”, Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf, said at the end of the trade fair.

Altogether approx. 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. After a six-year break the big community was finally able to meet again in person. 96% of visitors stated they had achieved their trade fair objectives. “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”, Markus Rustler, President of interpack 2023, said at the conclusion of the event. 

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. 

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. 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. 

Also attracting plenty of attention were the other specials such as the Interpack Start-up Zone, the joint stand Co-Packing, several award ceremonies spotlighting exciting packaging innovations, the “Save Food Highlight-Route” with new approaches to fighting global food loss and waste and the promotion of women at “Women in Packaging”. The special buzz at this premiere came by way of the approximately 200 women from the international sector, who exchanged and established new networks during Interpack.