Exceeding all expectations, drupa 2024 received top marks from visitors from all over the world, who left the trade fair with new ideas and clear prospects for the future. Numerous contracts were signed and technological innovations inspired the print and packaging industry.
drupa 2024, the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies, drew to a successful close on 7 June, 2024, after eleven days of hectic activity, impressively demonstrating the progress of an entire sector, with proof of the industry’s operational excellence.
1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations presented an outstanding showcase of innovations in the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition halls, thrilling trade visitors with unforgettable performances. drupa 2024 set a record figure, having 80% international visitors from 174 countries. After Europe, Asia was the most strongly represented region with 22%, followed by America with 12%.
Asia, Latin America, and the MENA region are markets with great growth potential, reflected in the significant increase in the exhibitors’ presence and order books. Many key players, such as BOBST, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori, Konica Minolta, Kurz, and Landa, signed sales deals that exceeded expectations. In some cases, the sales targets set were already achieved in the first few days of the trade fair.
Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director Operative Trade Fair Business, Messe Düsseldorf, is highly satisfied with the course of the trade fair: “drupa has underpinned its position as the industry’s leading trade fair and its unique appeal in a remarkable way. The impressive international flair and, above all, the high decision-making competence of the visitors ensured in-depth and well-founded technical discussions at the trade fair stands on the one hand and many direct investment decisions on the other. Our exhibitors told us about large-volume purchase agreements.”
Dr Andreas Pleßke, Chairman of the drupa committee, emphasised the exceptional position and relevance of drupa: “drupa stands for new approaches and new technologies like no other trade fair. It is not only the largest, but also the most important global platform for our industry, because the entire printing and post-press industry meets at the world-leading trade fair. It has been invaluable for generating leads. Nowhere else offers the opportunity to make so many new international contacts from all over the world in such a short space of time in one place.”
Industry decision-makers highly satisfied
Exhibitors praised the high level of decision-making competence of visitors. They, in turn, gave top marks to the range of products and services on offer in the 18 exhibition halls. Around 96% of all visitors confirmed that they had fully achieved the objectives associated with their visit. At over 50%, most of them came from the printing industry, followed by the packaging industry, whose share has increased significantly and which was the focus of many exhibitors as a growth driver. Many well-known brand owners were welcomed at the trade fair stands. In total, 1,70,000 trade visitors attended drupa 2024.
Digitalisation as a determining factor
Automation took centre stage at this year’s drupa, with a strong focus on AI and smart workflows, including software solutions. It became clear that digital and analogue technologies ideally complement and benefit from each other. Traditional industry leaders presented a wide range of digital solutions, while digital pioneers integrated conventional components into their offerings. Robotics played an important role in the exhibition halls and illustrated the path towards the smart factory.
Transformation and growth
drupa made it abundantly clear that the industry has great potential for the future, even against the backdrop of many challenges, and that the prospects are promising. In the last financial year, the global printing industry achieved a turnover of around 840 billion euros, and continues to develop at varying pace worldwide.
“At drupa 2024, we experienced firsthand just how relevant and resilient this industry is,” summarises Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. “The community is determined to set the course for the future together. Exchanging ideas with people from all continents and from all areas of the industry was extremely enriching and inspiring. We were able to welcome around 50 large delegations from various nations, and numerous globally active associations and organisations chose drupa as the ideal setting for their conferences and board meetings.
“Together we are stronger. Many new strategic alliances concluded at the trade fair reflected the opportunities that are only possible in such a concentrated form at drupa: meeting market players from other countries around the world in person, using core competences as synergy effects, forming networks and driving the market forward together.”
Sustainable technologies in focus
Technology is the key to achieving sustainability goals – exhibitors at drupa illustrated this with numerous practice-orientated developments and concrete solutions. Top priority is given to resource efficiency and the path to a functioning circular economy. In addition, touchpoint sustainability from the VDMA, the German Engineering Federation, showcased the current state of art innovations, presented the best-practice use cases, and gave a far-reaching outlook into the future of a sustainable printing industry.
Valuable knowledge transfer
The extensive supporting programme with its five high-calibre special forums – drupa cube, drupa next age (dna), drupa touchpoint packaging, drupa touchpoint textiles, and drupa touchpoint sustainability – was very well received. In times of constant change and the resulting new business models, they ensured an intensive transfer of knowledge and provided important guidance. Together with its partners, drupa focused on impressive industry expertise and the future topics of its target groups. Guided tours on various key topics rounded off the trade fair experience.
The next edition of drupa will be held in Düsseldorf in 2028.
