Düsseldorf Gears Up for drupa 2024

A great deal of excitement has gripped the international printing industry right now, as everyone will finally be able to meet up in person and exchange information at drupa, the world’s most important event for the sector, to be held from 28 May to 7 June, 2024, in Düsseldorf. In these very volatile times characterised by large social and rapid technological changes, as well as global megatrends, companies have to gear up; those who do not anticipate important developments and adjust accordingly will endanger their competitive edge and waste opportunities for the future.

drupa is being held at just the right moment for this. In an international comparison, the leading global trade fair for print technologies both demonstrates the state of the industry’s art and a wide spectrum of innovations which will shape the future and offers a multitude of opportunities for high-calibre knowledge exchange, discussions, and networking with world-renowned experts from the industry.

On a net area sprawling approximately 140,000 m² with 18 show halls, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present the entire spectrum of current trends and visionary ideas within print technology. Production of packaging and printed packaging are two areas which have also significantly gained in importance. Aspiring newcomers and start-ups will vie with major global players to display an impressive array of the latest technologies and solutions. BOBST, Canon, Comexi, Duplo, EFI, Epson, ESKO, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, Horizon, HP, Kodak, Koenig & Bauer, Kolbus, Komori, Konica Minolta, KURZ, Landa, Müller Martini, Ricoh, Screen, Windmöller & Hölscher, and Xeikon are some of the companies that have confirmed their participation.

drupa 2024 focus topics

Limited fossil resources and carbon emissions have caused sustainability to become an essential part of long-term company strategies.  Depending on the use of resources, the print and packaging industries are already using manufacturing procedures that save energy and resources today. drupa explains the important facts for sustainable production of print and packaging solutions and which trends are evolving within the sector in order to achieve the goal of a circular economy.

Digitalisation is changing analogue processes, while artificial intelligence (AI) 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. With this scenario in mind, topics like artificial intelligence, automation, circular economy, connectivity, platform economy, and printing/finishing 4.0 will be taking centre stage in the conference programme and expert forums.

Special forums

In times of constant change, disruptive processes and the resulting new business models, the drupa special forums are important aids for decision-making. They provide impetus and show best practices which the industry cannot do without. Together with its partners, drupa relies on its impressive range of competence across the industry and the topics which concern the future of its target groups.

drupa cube (Hall 6/Booth F03)

Why is printing more important than ever in the digital age? Why do customers not always perceive printed products as sustainable? And how do you calculate your carbon footprint? These are just some of the issues that will be discussed in the drupa cube in 2024. In more than 50 sessions, the conference offers inspiration and expertise. The programme features five great keynotes from renowned international industry specialists and presentations about topics like increasing your business success, circular economy and sustainability, the future of print and packaging, as well as sessions and best practice examples regarding new business models and trends.

drupa touchpoint sustainability (Hall 14/Booth D60)

touchpoint sustainability deals with the role of the printing and paper industries in sustainable transformation and offers an overview of current, mid- and long-term developments. Technologies from mechanical and systems engineering are especially important in this context, above all with regard to quality, process safety during production and sustainability. Digitalisation and AI play key parts in order to accelerate the transformation process in the print and paper industries and to realise scaling effects. Manufacturers, industry players, brands, and users together show how change can become reality in their many exhibits at touchpoint sustainability. Visitors to touchpoint sustainability can also enjoy a broad accompanying programme.

drupa touchpoint packaging (Hall 3/Booth B31)

touchpoint packaging concentrates on visionary, intelligent packaging solutions and brings brand owners together with designers, print service providers, and converters. The involvement of students and young talents in partner projects with exhibitors promises unique packaging solutions for folding boxes, labels, flexible packaging, and corrugated cardboard. Beyond this, there will be discussion of important questions regarding global megatrends and their impact on packaging production, for example sustainability or e-commerce. The five key topics of touchpoint packaging are neo-ecology, connectivity, glocalisation, consumer mind, and future regulations.

drupa dna (Hall 7/Booth 09)

Big ideas, tiny budget – for many young companies, it’s not easy to make the right contacts and establish their fascinating and innovative solutions on the market. For this target group, drupa has created a special platform: drupa next age (dna). Newcomers, young talents, start-ups, and established companies can network on a level playing field, find matching partners for cooperation, and exchange innovative business ideas. For some participants, this is the first chance ever to present their businesses to an international audience of experts.

drupa touchpoint textile (Hall 4/B 30)

drupa touchpoint textile is the special forum for an innovative, fully networked production chain: from design to the finished product in various cutting-edge fields as well as the textile industry’s business models.

The design competition ‘drupa – textile design talents’ will be held for the first time in 2024, where aspiring textile designers and newcomers will be given the unique opportunity to present their ideas and visions to a professional audience.

The forum is partnered by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) and the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association (ESMA).

Speakers from research, development, and industry will address issues such as printing and finishing technologies, workflows, market developments, and sustainability. The focus is also on trends and applications that are opening up new potential through the interaction of digital printing and textile printing materials.