From 28 May to 7 June, 2024, the focus of the print industry will be on sustainability, with the German printing and paper technology association VDMA and drupa giving them a joint invitation to discuss the future. On an exhibition floor spanning 400 m2, touchpoint sustainability will present a plethora of best practices and innovative solutions by major stakeholders for increased sustainability along the industry’s entire value chain.
touchpoint sustainability is one of drupa’s special forums in which the international print, paper, and packaging industry will meet to focus on the key megatrend themes of sustainability and digitalisation. The platform also offers a unique overview of the current state of the industry and its medium and long-term developments. Top international decision makers from the industry will come together to exchange views on current technology trends and groundbreaking developments.
Technology is important, especially when it comes to quality, process and production safety, and sustainability. In the print, paper, and packaging industry, digitalisation and AI play key roles in accelerating the transformation process and realising scaling effects. The touchpoint sustainability forum provides an opportunity for industry players, manufacturers, brands, and end users to show how the change can become a reality. Industry giants including Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Koenig & Bauer, Müller Martini, and Voith, besides highly specialised startups will be participating in the forum.
Future perspectives on a green transformation
How can the consumption of energy and resources be reduced during production? How can the use of materials and printing inks be minimized? How can inks of all types be recycled? And how can finishing be accomplished in a way that is gentle to the environment? Questions such as these will be discussed with comprehensible solutions featuring a large number of use cases. Climate neutrality, circular economy, and sustainable printing using innovative solutions are some of the topics that will enter the spotlight, promising new business models which will shape the future of the global print, paper, and packaging industry.
As a specialised panel forum, touchpoint sustainability is not a classic trade fair booth, but rather, offers an industry-wide overview of the status quo and the challenges and opportunities of the global trend in sustainability. This makes it a showroom and platform for dialogue at the same time. “drupa is most definitely the leading global trade fair of our industry. As a platform for exchanging ideas and for discussing and transferring knowledge, it is the right place to find out how global trends like sustainability, digitalization, and technological innovations will affect the future of the print and paper industry. Cross-sectional forums like touchpoint sustainability are central points of contact for this, since more sustainable solutions are best achieved if we all work together using the vital innovations,” says Dr. Andreas Pleßke, chairman of the drupa committee and CEO of Koenig & Bauer.
Interactive platform for exchange
Visitors to touchpoint sustainability can expect a comprehensive stage programme. Of special interest to the industry, and subject to systematic recording, will be the honest opinion of visitors concerning the state of solutions along the entire value chain in the year 2024, and their perspective for 2028. Further, players from other industries get a platform to strengthen their network, exchange ideas, and enter into partnerships. touchpoint sustainability also offers young talents a chance to connect with active employers who can shape their future with a unique insight into this significant industry.
“I am looking forward to presenting this important topic in this extraordinary dimension at touchpoint sustainability to the entire print and paper industry. The VDMA and its members are well aware of the related challenges, which is why we want to show not just how much effort has already been made to achieve possible solutions, but also to show what still lies ahead. The concept of having students as partners for talks and discussions is intended to appeal especially to young people and make them excited about our industry,” says Thomas Schiemann, member of the board of management at VDMA.
Tickets for drupa 2024 are available as of now at the ticket shop.
