From packaging stars and newcomers, food rescuers and the co-packer scene, to unique women and the movers and shakers of today and tomorrow, interpack is lining up events on timely topics.
From May 4 to 10, several new special areas and promotions will complement the offerings of the approximately 2,700 exhibitors. “We’re diving deep into the most important topics in the processing and packaging industry,” said Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack. “We are about putting tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges on the agenda. That is why we have redesigned our supporting program. We look forward to numerous voices from experts as well as ground-breaking innovations and projects.”
Spotlight talks & trends
Deutscher Fachverlag is the partner of this lecture forum, which will focus on a different topic every day, featuring presentations, case studies and interactive sessions with top industry experts. The focus will be on topics related to logistics, circular economy, sustainability, digital technologies, product safety and e-commerce. Companies such as Siemens, Schütz and Markem-Imaje are among the confirmed speakers.
Packaging innovation awards
The WorldStar Packaging Awards 2023 will be held at interpack, presented by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). IT will acknowledge innovations from a total of 228 award winners. This year’s edition will feature new categories: Gift Packaging, Digital Packaging and the special category Accessible Packaging. Around 400 participants are expected to attend the award ceremony on May 6.
The PackTheFuture Award of the German IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen and its French partner ELIPSO will also be handed out. The award honors innovative and sustainable packaging solutions made of plastic. The aim is to promote and publicize the contribution of plastic packaging to climate protection, the circular economy and responsible consumption. Awards are given for the best designs for recycling, sustainable material sourcing, or consumer benefits, among others.
New: interpack Start-up Zone
This year, 10 packaging start-ups will debut at interpack in the Start-up Zone in Hall 15. The lineup will include Recyda, Easy2cool, Packwise and Releaf Paper.
In-house and outsourced packaging
Processing and packaging services are the focus of the new area dedicated to contract packaging. The joint booth in Hall 12 will feature co-packing suppliers for packaging and processing food or consumer goods, as well as additional services related to packaging and configuring products. The partner is the European Co-Packers Association, which represents some 1,000 members of the professional contract packaging industry in Europe.
SAVE FOOD Highlight Route
Around 30 exhibitors at interpack are also members of the SAVE FOOD Initiative, which since 2011 has been dedicated to fighting the global loss and waste of food. The SAVE FOOD Highlight Route offers visitors an insight into new technologies that help reduce food losses and increase product safety. The SAVE FOOD booth in the North Entrance Area will also provide information about the initiative and show the initial results of the joint study with Instanbul Bahçeşehir University (BAU) on the production of bio-based packaging materials from food waste or food by-products.
Unique Women in Packaging
This year, interpack is promoting an exchange for the first time with an event organized by women for women. Together with the WPO, it is hosting a panel discussion followed by networking on May 8. All women who are working in the industry as well as interested junior staff, trainees and students are invited.
Photo: Messe Dusseldorf/ctillmann
