From May 4 to 10, visitors from 155 countries came to meet with 2,807 exhibitors who showcased the innovations that meet recent transformations in manufacturing and packaging. Interpack delivered and exceeded exhibitor expectations, the organizers announced as the show concluded. Around 143,000 visitors entered the Messe Düsseldorf ‘city within a city’ hall complex, tho-thirds of which came from outside Germany. Alongside many European countries, the largest visitor nations were India, Japan and the USA. Around 75% of visitors came from middle or top management.
Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf shared his impressions: “With interpack, we were able to finally hold one of the Messe Düsseldorf’s most important events again. It has reported back impressively and reinforced its position as the global platform for the exchange amongst all players in the packaging sector, related process industries and all user industries. Our targets were exceeded by far.”
Interpack Director Thomas Dohse also summarizes the seven trade fair days: “interpack 2023 will reverberate with us for a long time – both in business and personal terms. The mood in the halls was great and the inter-cultural exchange enriching for all sides. It was ‘simply unique’ again.”
Attendees shared positive feedback, 96% of the polled visitors stating they had achieved their trade fair objectives. “I’m confident that I’m speaking on behalf of all companies here. interpack 2023 is simply a must for suppliers and users from all over the world to exchange experiences and do business,” said Markus Rustler, President of interpack 2023 after the event.
Transformation as an opportunity, sustainability as a must
Interpack reflected current market developments, current challenges but also opportunities, which is why the organizers estimate this year’s installment to be among the most important ones in the show’s history. “The need to automate, the will to act sustainably and changed consumption habits are all expressions of transformation,” Messe Düsseldorf highlights.
Interpack 2023 was centered around four core topics: Circular Economy, Resource Management, Digital Technologies and Product Safety.
All aspects of sustainability were top themes at interpack. Exhibitors presented high-end technologies and holistic concepts that consider efficiency and sustainability along their entire production line. “Many companies in the consumer goods industry have set their own sustainability targets,” said Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association within VDMA at interpack. “Over the past few years, packaging machinery manufacturers have succeeded in implementing sustainable packaging concepts by means of corresponding technical adaptations and newly developed machinery solutions. interpack is the showcase for innovations and, at the same time, the point of departure for developing further towards a sustainable circular economy,” added Clemens.
The many solutions celebrating a world premiere at interpack also included a host of packaging materials and supplies in all their diversity. Over 1,000 exhibitors were showcased in this segment alone, a new record for interpack.
Remote engagement
interpack is not only a business but also a content platform for the sector, both live and digitally. A total of 50 talks were hosted at the Tightly Packed TV studio care of interpack and ‘packaging journal’, thereby generating additional visibility and reach of the top themes and trends through live streams. Some 200,000 viewers attended the presentations during the run-time of the trade fair alone.
New and special features
Other special events also attracted interest from visitors, such as the interpack Start-up Zone, the joint stand Co-Packing, several award ceremonies spotlighting exciting packaging innovations, the ‘SAVE FOOD Highlight-Route’ with new approaches to fighting global food loss and waste and the promotion of women at ‘Women in Packaging’.
The next interpack will be held in Düsseldorf from May 7 to 13, 2026.
Photo: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, Constance Tillman
