Interpack

Interpack
Name	Interpack
Genre	Trade fair
Frequency	Triennial
Location	Düsseldorf
Country	Germany
First	1958
Organiser	Messe Düsseldorf
Attendance	~170,000 (varies)

Interpack

Interpack is a major international trade fair for packaging and processing, held in Düsseldorf and organised by Messe Düsseldorf. The fair attracts manufacturers, engineers, designers, and buyers from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, showcasing machinery, materials, and services for packaging sectors such as food industry, pharmaceutical industry, and cosmetics industry. Interpack functions as a nexus for suppliers, research institutes, and multinational corporations to present innovations in automation, sustainability, and supply chain integration.

Overview

Interpack assembles exhibitors from leading companies like Tetra Pak, Krones, Bosch Packaging Technology, and Multivac, alongside material specialists and technology providers such as BASF, Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, and 3M. The event includes pavilions and national groups from countries including Germany, China, Italy, France, Japan, United States, and India. Visitors include procurement officers from corporations like Nestlé, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola Company, as well as researchers from institutions such as Fraunhofer Society, Max Planck Society, and Technical University of Munich.

History

The fair originated in the post-war industrial expansion that involved organisations like Bundesrepublik Deutschland economic initiatives and chambers such as the German Chamber of Commerce collaborating with trade bodies including VDMA and VDMA Verpackungsmaschinen. Early editions featured companies like Siemens and Philips; later decades saw participation from conglomerates such as General Electric and ABB. Milestones include expansions aligned with trade developments in European Union integration, technological shifts influenced by Industry 4.0 stakeholders, and regulatory drivers involving agencies like European Commission and standards bodies including DIN and ISO.

Exhibition and Events

Exhibition formats encompass live demonstrations, themed forums, and workshops organized with partners like Food Processing Suppliers Association, European Packaging Institute, and Institute of Packaging Professionals. Conferences have included speakers from World Health Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and research groups from ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ancillary events feature product launches by companies such as Siemens Healthineers, Pharmaceutical Packaging Associates, and technology showcases from Intel, NVIDIA, and Rockwell Automation.

Products and Innovations

Products presented range from high-speed filling lines by KHS Group to thermoforming equipment from Sidel, labeling systems by HERMA, and tray-sealing machines from Ishida. Innovations frequently involve materials by Covestro, Evonik Industries, and Clariant, automation platforms by Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Yaskawa Electric Corporation, plus digital solutions by SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, and Siemens Digital Industries Software. Sustainability advances feature biodegradable films from NatureWorks, recyclable packaging concepts from Alpla, and recycling technology by Tomra Systems.

Industry Sectors and Exhibitors

Interpack spans sectors such as confectionery industry, beverage industry, bakery industry, chemical industry, and medical devices with exhibitors including Barry Callebaut, Heineken, Barilla, BASF, and B. Braun Melsungen. Packaging material suppliers like Mondi Group, Smurfit Kappa, Stora Enso, WestRock, and International Paper present paper, cardboard, and corrugated solutions. Suppliers of labeling and coding include Videojet Technologies, Linx Printing Technologies, and Markem-Imaje.

Attendance and Economic Impact

Attendance levels have reached figures noted by trade bodies such as German Trade and Invest and economic studies by Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce assessing impacts on local hospitality providers including Hilton Düsseldorf, Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf, and Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf. The fair influences supply chains involving logistics firms like DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, and DB Schenker, and stimulates procurement activity among retailers such as Carrefour, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and Metro AG.

Organisation and Venue

Organisers coordinate with exhibition management partners including Reed Exhibitions-style entities and standard-setters like German Packaging Institute. The event uses facilities at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre with halls managed in cooperation with local authorities such as State of North Rhine-Westphalia and municipal services from City of Düsseldorf. Venue logistics leverage transport links via Düsseldorf Airport, Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, and regional infrastructure funded under Bundesverkehrswegeplan initiatives.

Awards and Recognition

Interpack hosts award programs recognizing design and innovation with juries comprising representatives from institutions like Red Dot, iF Design Award, European Packaging Awards, and universities including TU Dresden and University of Cambridge. Exhibitors have received accolades from organizations such as World Packaging Organisation, German Design Council, and The Packaging Federation for achievements in areas including lightweighting, barrier technologies, and circular economy solutions.

Category:Packaging trade shows Category:Trade fairs in Germany Category:Events in Düsseldorf