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drupa 2024: Global printing industry meets again in Düsseldorf

2024-04-10. After a lengthy interruption, the international trade fair, drupa, will once again take place at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, from 28 May to 7 June. This year, the focus will be on sustainability and digitalisation.

To the tune of round about 1,800 exhibitors from over 50 countries gave a proof of the versatility and innovative power of their sector at drupa 2016. (Photo: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann)

by Michael Spinner-Just michael.spinnerjust@wan-ifra.org | April 10, 2024

Die deutschsprachige Version lesen.

On a net area of around 140,000 m², almost 1,600 exhibitors from 50 nations will present the entire spectrum of current trends and innovations relating to printing technologies across 18 exhibition halls, according to the trade fair organiser Messe Düsseldorf. Over 11 days, the show will present innovative technologies, solutions, and topics that are driving the industry forward both now and in the future.

Exhibitors, visitors and the media can find out more about show here.

Resuming after eight years

drupa (formerly DRUPA, a German abbreviation of Druck und Papier) has been held in Düsseldorf every few years since 1951, with the most recent edition taking place in 2016. The show, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed to April 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it was later cancelled altogether, and only a virtual fair was conducted in 2021.

Technically, the show in its physical form is resuming after eight years. According to Messe Düsseldorf, drupa is regarded as “the leading global trade fair for print technologies.”

“drupa demonstrates the state-of-the-art advancements in the industry, alongside many forward-looking innovations. It also serves as a platform for knowledge transfer, dialogue, and networking with global industry experts,” the organiser stated in a press release.

Exhibitors for the newspaper and media industry

The list of exhibitors and products for the newspaper and media industry can be found here.

WAN-IFRA has also published drupa press releases from manufacturers and suppliers in the WIZONE marketplace blog (category “Press Release”).

drupa 2016. (Photo: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann)

Sustainability, digitalisation to take centre stage

Due to limited fossil resources and CO2 emissions, sustainability is an essential component of long-term corporate strategies. Depending on the raw materials used, the printing and packaging industry is already using energy- and resource-saving production processes.

drupa will provide information on what is important in the sustainable production of printing and packaging solutions and what trends are emerging for the industry in order to achieve the goal of a circular economy.

Digitalisation is changing analogue processes, while artificial intelligence is taking on more and more tasks in Industry 4.0. drupa presents “top technologies across the industry’s entire added value chain with a special focus on future and cross-sectional technologies”. according to Messe Düsseldorf.

Against this backdrop, topics such as circular economy, automation, printing/finishing 4.0, artificial intelligence, platform economy and connectivity will be taking centre stage in the conference programme and expert forums at drupa 2024.

Special forums

“In times of constant change, disruptive processes and the resulting new business models, the drupa ‘Special Forums’ are intended to provide important guidance,” the organiser stated. “They provide impetus and show best practices.”

Together with its partners, drupa will be focusing on industry expertise and the future topics of its target groups.

drupa cube (Hall 6/Booth F03)

Why print is more important than ever in the digital age, why consumers do not always perceive print products as sustainable and how to calculate your carbon footprint – these are just some of the topics that will be discussed at drupa cube 2024.

The conference will offer inspiration and expertise in more than 50 sessions. The programme includes five major keynotes by renowned international industry specialists and presentations on topics such as increasing business success, the circular economy and sustainability, the future of print and packaging, as well as sessions and best practice examples on new business models and trends.

Details on the programme, the partners and the speakers of the individual events can be found here.

drupa touchpoint sustainability (Hall 14/Booth D60)

The touchpoint sustainability deals with the role of the printing and paper industry in the sustainable transformation and offers an overview of current, medium and long-term developments. Technologies from mechanical and plant engineering are of crucial importance here, particularly in the context of quality, process reliability in production and sustainability.

Digitalisation and AI play a key role in accelerating the transformation process in the printing and paper industry and realising economies of scale. Manufacturers, industry players, brands and users will use numerous exhibits at touchpoint sustainability to show how change can succeed.

Visitors to touchpoint sustainability can also look forward to a comprehensive stage programme.

Opening hours and tickets

drupa 2024 is open to visiting professionals from Tuesday, 28 May, to Friday, 7 June 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm (Monday to Friday) and from 10 am to 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday). Per-day-ticket costs €60; three-day-ticket is €165; and the five-day-ticket is €255. Information on parking tickets and tickets for local public transport is also available in the ticket shop.

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