As a central forum at drupa 2024, the new touchpoint sustainability will, for the first time, focus on the holistic role of the print and paper industry within the global sustainable transformation. The industry has made major achievements, which is however often overlooked. Around 30 exhibitors will present pioneering best practice examples from all areas of the value chain, sometimes featuring several exhibits. In doing so, they provide both an overview of the status quo as well as attractive perspectives for the future. The more than 400 m² booth, which opens up as a dialogue platform and a showroom at the same time, will be hosted and designed by the German industrial association VDMA Printing and Paper Technology.
Print and paper are essential components of our modern world, with many sophisticated technologies from mechanical engineering and plant construction being part of their production process. And it is these which also guarantee the quality and safety of processes during production and their sustainability. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are key factors, not only with regard to the transformation process of the industry, but also for scaling effects. This makes them especially relevant for central goals like increased energy efficiency and improved waste avoidance.
Describing the importance of the trade fair and the touchpoint sustainability forum, Dr. Andreas Pleßke, VDMA board spokesman, chairman of the drupa committee, and CEO of Koenig & Bauer, says, “drupa is the industry’s globally leading trade fair. As a platform for the exchange of ideas, discussions, and transfer of knowledge, it is the place to find out how sustainability, digitalization, and technological innovations will affect the future of the print and paper industry. Forums that are open to several exhibitors, like touchpoint sustainability, are very special points of attraction.” The special forum will have very different stakeholders such as manufacturers, scientists, and brand owners demonstrating together on how transformation can succeed across the industry by the use of technology that is ready for the future. Industry giants including Epson, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HP, Koenig & Bauer, Kurz, Müller Martini, and Voith, besides highly specialised startups will be participating in the forum.
touchpoint sustainability offers young talents seeking passionate and forward-looking employers a valuable insight into the industry – which is investing on a large scale in order to become “enablers” and support customers in managing their challenges and unlocking new market potentials.
“With touchpoint sustainability, we are dealing with a significant topic for the entire print and paper industry. This is where VDMA, its members, and major players in the sector demonstrate their great dedication to possible solutions for the numerous challenges. The concept to have students as partners for talks and discussions at the booth is intended to make young people more interested in our industry,” says Thomas Schiemann, member of the board of management, VDMA.
A discussion forum for new solutions
The exhibition area of touchpoint sustainability is divided into different areas of the added value chain – raw materials, production, usage, and recycling. The focus is on related issues such as reducing the consumption of energy and resources during production, minimizing the use of material and printing inks, recycling of all types of inks, and accomplishing finishing processes in a way that is gentle to the environment. Comprehensible solutions to all these will feature a large number of use cases. Some of the topics in the spotlight, including climate neutrality, circular economy, and sustainable printing using innovative solutions, promise novel business models that will shape the future of the global paper, print, and packaging industry.
Expert speakers from diverse sectors
Apart from a plethora of best practices covering a broad spectrum of themes, visitors can expect a comprehensive stage programme featuring expert speakers from diversified sectors including government officials, scientists, business management professionals, product developers, and industry stalwarts.
Over 100 topics will be addressed at touchpoint sustainability in varied formats like keynotes, lectures, and panel discussions. Offstage interactive Q&A sessions with experts on sustainability and co-exhibitors on their product displays are the forum’s other highlights.
drupa touchpoint sustainability is at Hall 14/Booth D60.
