Around 18 exhibition halls of Messe Düsseldorf featured 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations. However, the number was down from 1,828 exhibitors at the previous drupa in 2016.

Meanwhile, the international share of visitors was 80%, 5 percentage points higher than the previous edition, with attendees from 174 countries, a record figure according to a drupa press release (die deutschsprachige Pressemitteilung finden Sie hier). 

After Europe, Asia was the second most strongly represented region with 22%, followed by America at 12%. Asia, along with Latin America and the MENA region, are markets with great growth potential, as reflected in the significant increase in exhibitors’ presence and order books.

More than 50% of visitors came from the printing industry, followed by the packaging industry, whose share has significantly increased and was the focus of many exhibitors as a growth driver. In total, 170,000 trade visitors attended drupa 2024, down from 260,165 in the previous edition.

Industry decision-makers highly satisfied

Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, said that large-volume purchase agreements were signed during the 11-day show. Key players such as Bobst, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori, Konica Minolta, Kurz, and Landa reported signing contracts.

“drupa was an excellent opportunity for Kodak to demonstrate its commitment to innovation across its complete portfolio of both offset and digital solutions. Printers who visited the Kodak booth learned how Kodak can help make their businesses more efficient and profitable in today’s era of print. Kodak is able to serve its customers comprehensively with both innovative digital technology and modern, highly automated solutions for traditional offset printing. As a result, we have achieved strong sales for our digital and traditional portfolio during the show.”

As automation took centre stage at this year’s drupa, it became clear that digital and analogue technologies complement each other and derive mutual benefits.

Traditional industry leaders showcased a wide range of digital solutions, while digital native companies integrated conventional components into their offerings. Robotics played an important role in the exhibition halls, illustrating the path toward the smart factory, drupa stated.

Sustainable technologies in focus

Technology is the key to achieving sustainability goals, as illustrated by exhibitors through numerous practical developments and concrete solutions. Top priority is given to resource efficiency and the transition to a functioning circular economy.

The next drupa is scheduled for 2028.

Alongside our current drupa 2024 review report, we have also published our preview report here. In our bi-weekly “World Printers Forum” newsletter, we have been covering updates about drupa and press releases from various exhibitors. The next WPF newsletter is planned for 26 June. Supplier news regarding their drupa activities can also be found in the blog section of our WIZONE marketplace.