ICE Europe 2019
Converting industry faces diverse challenges

From 12 – 14 March 2019, the converting industry will gather for the 11th edition of ICE Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for paper, film & foil converting, at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany. This year’s ICE Europe will be bigger than ever. With 11 500m2 net floor space, the booked stand space has grown by 4% compared to figures from 2017. In addition, the number of exhibitors increased by 6%. More than 450 exhibitors will present their innovations and latest technologies at ICE Europe 2019. The most important trends at the show will be digitalisation, individualisation and sustainability, which will also be considered at this year’s ICE Awards. Featuring hundreds of exhibitor profiles and product information, the show preview is now available to all visitors in print and online. The printed version also includes professional articles about sustainability in the converting industry.

The focus of this year’s ICE Europe will be the digitalisation of manufacturing, the individualisation of products and the sustainability of materials and processes. Thus, the specialised trade show continues to cover the most important trends. “The converting industry faces diverse challenges: On the one hand, a growing demand for sustainable products and tighter regulatory requirements, e. g. new legislative proposals. On the other hand, the consumers’ desire for individualised, high-quality products and packaging solutions as well as new developments and opportunities, that Industry 4.0 offers,” explains Liljana Goszdziewski, exhibition director of ICE Europe, on behalf of the organisers, Mack Brooks Exhibitions. “ICE Europe 2019 is the central meeting point for the international converting industry to find the best possible ways to turn these diverse challenges into promising opportunities,” continues Goszdziewski.

Digitalisation and associated smart products and packaging remain an important trend in converting. Therefore, for the first time, ICE Europe 2019 will present a dedicated ‘Special Film & Extrusion Area’ for the growth market sector of special films.

For the second time, best practice, excellence, innovation and extraordinary achievements will be honoured with the ICE Awards at ICE Europe 2019. Exhibitors have the chance to win an award in one of four categories that are currently most relevant in the industry: ‘Digital Converting Solutions’, ‘Sustainable Products and Manufacturing Processes’, ‘Efficient Production Solutions’ and ‘Special Film Innovations’. Numerous exhibitors from various countries have submitted their entries for the online voting.

From 29 January 2019, the converting community is invited to vote for their favourite in each of the four categories on the ICE Europe website. The online voting ends on Tuesday, 19 February 2019, at midnight. The winners will be honoured in an official awards ceremony on Tuesday, 12 March 2019. All exhibitors and visitors can join this ceremony.

ICE Europe 2019 will take place in halls A5 and A6 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany. The 4th edition of CCE International is once again co-located with ICE Europe and will be held in hall B6. Both shows will be open on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, and Wednesday, 13 March 2019, from 9.00 – 17.00 and on Thursday, 14 March 2019, from 9.00 – 16.00.