drupa in Düsseldorf: gearing up to welcome the global printing industry from 28 May to 07 June 2024

Over eleven days, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present innovative technologies, solutions and topics that affect the industry now and in future. A wide range of special events will provide valuable know-how. Focus on digitalisation and sustainability.

In these volatile times characterised by significant social and rapid technological changes and global megatrends, companies have to react: Those who do not anticipate important developments and adjust accordingly will endanger their competitive edge and waste opportunities for the future.

In an international comparison, drupa demonstrates the state of the industry’s art and a broad spectrum of innovations that will shape the future and offers many opportunities for high-calibre knowledge exchange, discussions and networking with world-renowned sector experts.

On a net area of approximately 140,000 sqm across eighteen show halls, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present the spectrum of current trends and visionary ideas within print technology. From renowned global players to aspiring newcomers and start-ups – the list of registered exhibitors is almost a who-is-who of the printing and packaging industry, including Canon, Comexi, Duplo, EFI, Epson, ESKO, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, Horizon, HP, Kodak, Koenig & Bauer, Kolbus, Komori, Konica Minolta, KURZ, Landa, Müller Martini, Ricoh, Screen, Windmöller & Hölscher, Xeikon. The list of exhibitors is online at www.drupa.de.

drupa 2024 focus topics

Limited fossil resources and carbon emissions have caused sustainability to become an essential part of long-term company strategies. Depending on the use of resources, the print and packaging industries are already using manufacturing procedures that save energy and resources today. drupa explains the crucial facts for the sustainable production of print solutions and which trends are evolving within the sector to achieve the goal of a circular economy.

Digitalisation is changing analogue processes, while artificial intelligence is taking on more and more tasks in Industry 4.0. drupa presents top technologies across the industry’s added value chain, focusing on future and cross-sectional technologies. Considering this scenario, topics like circular economy, automation, printing/finishing 4.0, artificial intelligence, platform economy and connectivity will take centre stage in the conference programme and expert forums.

Special forums

In times of constant change, disruptive processes and the resulting new business models, the drupa special forums are essential for decision-making. They will provide impetus and showcase best practices. 

drupa cube

Why is printing more important than ever in the digital age? Why do customers not always perceive printed products as sustainable? And how do you calculate your carbon footprint? These are just some of the issues discussed in the drupa cube at the 2024 show. In more than 50 sessions, the conference offers inspiration and expertise. The programme features five great keynotes from renowned international industry specialists and presentations about topics like increasing your business success, circular economy and sustainability, and the future of print and packaging, as well as sessions and best practice examples regarding new business models and trends. 

drupa touchpoint sustainability

Touchpoint sustainability deals with the role of the printing and paper industries in sustainable transformation and offers an overview of current, mid-and long-term developments. In this context, mechanical and systems engineering technologies are fundamental regarding quality, process safety during production and sustainability. Digitalisation and AI are vital in accelerating the transformation process in the print and paper industries and realising scaling effects. Manufacturers, industry players, brands and users together show how change can become a reality in their many exhibits at touchpoint sustainability. Visitors to touchpoint sustainability can also enjoy a broad accompanying programme.

drupa dna 

Big ideas, tiny budget – for many young companies, it’s not easy to make the right contacts and establish their fascinating and innovative solutions on the market. For this target group, drupa has created a special platform: drupa next age (dna). Newcomers, young talents, start-ups and established companies can network on a level playing field, find matching partners for cooperation and exchange innovative business ideas. For some participants, this is the first chance ever to present their businesses to an international audience of experts.

drupa touchpoint textile

The drupa touchpoint textile presents the world’s first digital textile micro-factory. A fully connected, integrated process chain will be showcased – from digital simulation to design, animation and virtual rendering to production. Of certainty, the industry is constantly gaining new fields of application, and inkjet technology opens doors not only to sectors like clothing and fashion but also to interior design, architecture, automotive, and many other vertical markets. 

drupa touchpoint packaging

Touchpoint packaging concentrates on visionary, intelligent packaging solutions and brings brand owners together with designers, print service providers and converters. The involvement of students and young talents in partner projects with exhibitors promises unique packaging solutions for folding boxes, labels, flexible packaging and corrugated cardboard. Beyond this, important questions will be discussed regarding global megatrends and their impact on packaging production, for example, sustainability or e-commerce. The five key topics of touchpoint packaging are neo-ecology, connectivity, glocalisation, consumer mind and future regulations.

For details regarding the programme, partners and speakers of each special forum, see: https://www.drupa.de/de/Programm

drupa 2024 is open for visiting professionals from Tuesday, 28 May to Friday, 07 June 2024, Mon to Thurs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sat and Sun from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendees can purchase one-day, three-day and five-day tickets. Information about parking tickets and tickets for public transport is also available at the ticket shop: www.drupa.de/1130.