Extrusion International 3-2017

INTERPACK 2017: 170,500 Visitors filled Exhibitors’ Order Books The avid interest taken by exhibitors in the run- up to interpack 2017 that brought the world’s biggest and most important trade fair of the packaging sector and related process industries record attendance of 2,865 companies, was followed by trade fair days from 4 to 10 May with high spirits and further records: 74% of the approximately 170,500 visitors travelled to Düsseldorf from abroad – three quarters of them were decision-makers. The high percentage of German and international top- notch experts from a total of 168 countries made for highly satisfied faces among exhibitors, who delighted at promising business contacts and even concrete deals concluded in the seven-digit range. Visitors in turn ben- efitted from an internationally unrivalled multitude of in- novations on display and a unique market overview. This was also reflected in the corresponding high scores they gave the trade fair: just under 98% stated in the official survey that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their visit to interpack 2017. They took an interest in all ranges and segments of interpack but packaging media received significantly more attention than at the previous event. Top Trends: Digitalisation, Industry 4.0 and Sustainability Proving a top trend at many stands was the further digi- talisation of production processes on the way to Indus- try 4.0 applications. Production linked along these lines makes it possible to manufacture personalised packaging efficiently or to guarantee traceability, to name but two options. Furthermore, the modular design of packaging machines and process lines and optimised digital operat- ing concepts play a pivotal role in order to reduce com- plexity in manufacturing and achieve the highest degree of flexibility possible for changing batch sizes or product versions. Some companies even focused on virtual real- ity applications that allow machines or equipment to be experienced holistically in order to manage complexity better even in the manufacturing process of machinery INTERPACK 2017: REVIEW 26 Extrusion International 3/2017 Images: Messe Duesseldorf