Page 31 - Packaging News magazine March_April 2023

INTERPACK PREVIEW
Industry’s biggest innovation showcase
After a six-year hiatus, it will be a great homecoming to the showgrounds in Düsseldorf. As the global packaging and processing industry prepares for the kick-off of mega trade show Interpack, PKN takes a closer look at what’s in store for visitors.
exhibitors at Interpack are also mem- bers of the Save Food Initiative, which since 2011 has been dedicated to fight- ing the global loss and waste of food. The ‘Save Food Highlight Route’ offers visitors an insight into new technolo- gies that help reduce food losses and increase product safety.
Every year, new start-up compa- nies enrich the world of packaging. Ten of them will make their first major appearance at Interpack 2023 and present themselves to an international trade audience in the Start-up Zone in Hall 15, including Recyda, Easy2cool, Packwise and Releaf Paper. Included are exciting innovations from software solu- tions for recycling or the supply chain, sustainable materials or packaging.
Interpack stands for major prod- uct launches, technological news and packaging innovations. These will be highlighted again this year through award ceremonies, including the WorldStar Packaging Awards 2023, which will be presented by the World Packaging Organisation on 6 May.
The WorldStar award is considered the most prestigious packaging accolade globally. This year, there will be a total of 228 award winners, demonstrating the innovative strength of the industry. This year’s edition also features new and exciting categories: Gift Packaging, Digital Packaging and the special cate- gory Accessible Packaging. Around 400 participants are expected to attend the award ceremony. PKN will be there. ■
INTERPACK IS THE world’s biggest interna- tional trade show for the packaging and processing industries. It’s fair to
say no other industry trade fair can com- pare when it comes to representing the global market in its entire variety and scope, and offering visitors the biggest international overview of the market.
Around 2700 companies from around the world will meet in Düsseldorf from 4 – 10 May, 2023, to present cutting edge technologies from along the entire value chain, demonstrate opportunities for growth, and innovative solutions that respond to the challenges of the industry.
THEMES ON TREND
In keeping with global trends, among the dominant themes at this year’s Interpack will be circular economy, resource management, and digital technologies.
‘Circular economy’ is the prevailing buzz-phrase in sustainability discus- sions. While simple in concept, it is also all-encompassing in the process- ing and packaging industry. With the goal to reuse waste as a resource, and
to inculcate a ‘design for recycling’ mindset and methodology, much of the innovation on show will be designed to be as reusable as possible.
Resource management feeds into this. With the global economy marked by sup- ply bottlenecks and scarcity of material, and the world’s focus on climate pro- tection, it’s no wonder the packaging industry is focusing on resource efficiency. Seminars to run concurrently at the show will include discussion on how production processes should be reorganised and how material flows can be adjusted to optimise resource management.
Six years on from the last Interpack, and with the digital transformation of manufacturing gaining momentum, it’s clear digital technologies are here to stay. Evidence of digitisation inte- grated into automated machinery as well as smart packaging applications will abound on the show floor. Forum discussions will look at the advantages and risks that come with increased digi- tal and automated operations.
There will be a number of special events and designated zones to com- plement the main show. Around 30
Above: Here at last: the global packaging and processing industry will gather at Messe Düsseldorf in May.
Welcome event for ANZ attendees
When it was last held in 2017, the show attracted more than 170,000 visitors, with one per cent of that number reportedly from Australia and New Zealand.
For visitors from ANZ making their way to Interpack this year, there is a special networking event planned, to be jointly hosted by the Australian Packaging and Processing Manufacturers Association, PKN, and Interpack. It will take place at the International Lounge, Messe Düsseldorf, starting at 4pm on 5 May. Register at appma.com.au
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MARCH – APRIL 2023 ❙ 31
MESSE DUSSELDORF/ C TILLMAN