Interpack, the international exposition on Processes and Packaging that is held once in every three years at Dusseldorf, is justly regarded as being by far the largest and most important event on Packaging staged anywhere in the world. Interpack 2008 will be on between the 24th and 30th of April at the Dusseldorf Fairgrounds. Interpack 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of this show and will be spread out over 19 halls (Halls 1 to 17). Additional show space by way of a new hall (Hall 8b) has been incorporated and the number of exhibitors and visitors is expected to exceed even the record figures established during Interpack 2005. The show is already fully sold out. Many exhibitors have booked larger stands this year and a large number of companies will be making their first appearance at Interpack 2008.
Interpack showcases every link in the value-creation chain for packaging from processing to finished products, ranging from production, conversion and refinement of packaging materials to all kinds of packaging machinery to logistics and materials handling to quality assurance and consumer protection systems to all associated services.
The fair is usually organised in four main sections as follows:
–Processes and machinery for the packaging of foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, non-food consumer goods and industrial products.
–Packaging materials, packaging means and packaging production.
–Processes and machinery for confectionery and bakery products.
–Services.
A special feature of this year's event is the INNOVATION PARC PACKAGING section that will focus on interactive solutions that meet the diverse demands of homes, retailing, logistics and production. It will showcase innovations in FMCG products; exhibitors will be drawn from all segments of the packaging industry and will include raw materials suppliers, producers of intermediate and finished packaging materials, packaging machinery manufacturers and design agencies. Participating in this section will be several well-known industry associations like the EHI Retail Institute, PRO CARTON International – the association for manufacturers of paperboard, folding cartons and paperboard sales packing in Europe – and the Pan-European Brand Design Association (PDA).
Most exhibitors are keeping their cards very close to their chests and not yet talking about their plans but we can expect to see many new products that address some of the end-user industries' prime concerns like sustainability and environment-friendliness, brand security and anti-counterfeiting devices, process and machine automation and track-and-trace systems based on new technologies like RFID. In fact, most well known equipment manufacturers are now turning systems integrators focusing on offering end-to-end solutions and this trend is likely to pervade most equipment on display.
Substantial discounts are available for online pre-sale of tickets. A daily ticket that costs Euro 55 is being offered at Euro 39 (+ postage) and the normal 3-day Euro 120 ticket is going for Euro 89 (+ postage). It is well worth buying these in advance to save queuing up to get in. We also recommend that the catalogue and CD-ROM for the show be ordered in advance to maximise the value of one's visit by planning beforehand –the show is really massive and widespread.
Interpack 2005 featured 2,654 exhibitors from 57 countries spread over a net area of 163,405 square meters. A total of 176,964 visitors came to the show, of which 63 per cent were from Europe, 17 percent from Asia, 6 per cent from each of Africa and South/Central America, 5 per cent from North America and 3 per cent from Australia/Oceania. The show has always attracted a lot of exhibitors and visitors from India. 4 per cent of visitors to Interpack 2005 were from India and exhibitors have had a very positive experience. Many Indian manufacturers who have now become global players used Interpack as the stepping-stone to get access to European markets.
At this year's event, 47 stalls will feature Indian exhibitors and visitors from South Asia are expected to hit record levels. Details of all exhibitors and product listings are available on the Interpack website at www.interpack.com. |
