interpack 2023
Global processing and packaging industry celebrates its return to Düsseldorf

From 4 to 10 May, the world's largest packaging trade fair once again set standards, networked the industry on a global level, and was both a marketplace and a content hub. Visitors from 155 countries, many of them with firm investment intentions, came to interpack 2023. 2807 exhibitors presented the power and creativity of the packaging industry with their technologies and solutions. What remains are numerous impulses, ideas and concrete business deals that will be implemented in the coming years.

Goals exceeded

“With interpack, we were finally able to hold one of Messe Düsseldorf's most important events again. It has made an impressive comeback and underlined its position as a global platform for the exchange of all players in the packaging sector, the related process industry and all user industries. Our goals were far exceeded,” says Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf at the end of the fair.

A total of around 143 000 visitors came to interpack in Düsseldorf, two thirds of them from abroad. In addition to many European countries, the largest visitor nations were India, Japan and the USA. Around 75 percent belonged to middle and upper management.

“Finally, interpack again!” was a frequently heard phrase in the halls, because after a break of six years, the large community was able to meet here again in person. Accordingly, the joy was enormous. “interpack 2023 will continue to resonate for a long time, both in business and personally,” said Director Thomas Dohse after seven days of the trade fair. “The atmosphere in the halls was great and the intercultural exchange enriching for all sides. It was again 'simply unique'.”

This is underlined by the positive feedback from visitors, more than 96 percent of whom said they had achieved their goals for the fair. Equally satisfied were the exhibitors, whose expectations were exceeded in many cases. "We thank Messe Düsseldorf for the excellent organisation. I am sure that I am speaking on behalf of all the companies. interpack 2023 is simply a must for suppliers and users from all over the world to exchange experiences and realise business,” said Markus Rustler, President of interpack 2023 at the end of the event.

Transformation as an opportunity

Considering the current market developments, the enormous challenges, but also the even greater opportunities, this interpack was certainly one of the most important in its history. The need for automation, the will for sustainability and changing consumer habits are expressions of transformation.

The strategic orientation of interpack towards the four hot topics of the circular economy, resource conservation, digitalisation and product safety found concrete expression in numerous innovations. The trade fair, which is traditionally an important building block in the innovation cycle of the packaging sector and the related process industry, more than lived up to this claim again this year.

Sustainable packaging technologies

Sustainability in all its facets was the absolute top theme at interpack. Exhibitors presented high-end technologies and holistic concepts that take efficiency and sustainability into account along the entire production line. “Many companies in the consumer goods industry have set their own sustainability goals,” says Richard Clemens, Managing Director of VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery at interpack. “Companies in the packaging machinery sector have succeeded in recent years in enabling the implementation of sustainable packaging concepts through appropriate technical adaptations and newly developed machine solutions. The interpack is the showcase for innovations and at the same time the starting point for further development in the direction of a sustainable circular economy,” Clemens sums up.

Among the many solutions celebrating their world premiere at interpack were also numerous packaging materials and packaging supplies in all their diversity. Over 1000 exhibitors presented themselves in this area alone, a new record.

Trendsetting content

The Spotlight Talks & Trends Forum was a visitor magnet and addressed seven topics over seven days, including logistics, the circular economy and e-commerce. The programme was presented jointly by interpack, the dfv Conference Group and PackReport.

The other specials, such as the interpack Start-up Zone, the Co-Packing joint stand, several award ceremonies with exciting packaging innovations, the “SAVE FOOD Highlight Route” with new approaches in the fight against global food loss and waste and the promotion of women at “Women in Packaging” also attracted a great deal of attention. A special spirit was created at this premiere by around 200 women from the international industry who exchanged ideas and forged new networks at interpack.

Components, which was held as a parallel event in its own hall with 80 exhibitors, was also very well received by visitors. The supplier industry with components and software for packaging and process technology plays an important role in the digitalisation of production processes.

The next interpack will take place in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May 2026.

www.interpack.de