We had an incredible time at the return of drupa 2024! Held in Düsseldorf, Germany, this year’s event brought together 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations. The event held an impressiver 170,000 trade visitors from 174 countries. Drupa has once again proven its position as a global hub for innovation and collaboration for our industry.
It was fascinating to spend time exploring so many exciting new products from our vendors and what has changed in the industry over the past 8 years (although the food was really good too!).
Today, we will take a look at the some of the main topics of the event: keep a look out for a deep dive into what products our biggest vendors have announced, as well as a major MSL milestone coming up! And don’t forget to stay tuned to our social media to learn how automation, sustainability, and digitalization are all going to only become more prevalent in the industry as time goes on.
Drupa Event Highlights
Sales & Partnerships
- The event was a hotbed for innovation, with many key players such as Bobst, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori Konica Minolta, Kurz and Landa, reportedly signed contracts that significantly exceeded expectations, in some cases within the first few days of the event. In some cases, the sales targets set were already achieved in the first few days of the trade fair. The future is bright!
- Drupa and PRINTING United Strategic Partnership: These two important events are now joined in a collaborative partnership – this year’s Printing United Event this September in Vegas is going to be better than ever!
Automation & Digitization
- Automation, AI, and smart workflows were central themes, reflecting the industry’s move towards digital solutions and the path to the smart factory. Kyana was unveiled, the first AI chatbot for the printing industry: a fascinating example of how AI can improve efficiency and sustainability.
- Numerous robotic and automated systems were on display: between the increased efficiency and continued struggle for skilled labor, it looks like robots are here to stay in print shops.
Sustainability Initiatives
- Technology is the key to achieving sustainability goals. Top priority is given to resource efficiency and the path to a functioning circular economy. In addition, Touchpoint Sustainability from the VDMA, the German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, showcased current state of the art innovations. They presented best-practice use cases and gave a far-reaching outlook into the future of a sustainable printing industry.
- Governments and consumers are increasingly demanding environmentally friendly practices, driving businesses to prioritize sustainability in their operations. Documenting and measuring sustainability performance is crucial to comply with regulations and meet customer expectations. This is likely to become a more important selling point for new machinery in the coming years.
- Environmental credentials are a competitive advantage and will become an important enabler in the future.
- With this in mind, steps printers can take now to help ease into the sustainable transition are:
- Stay informed about current and impending sustainability regulations.
- Prepare for company-wide emission accounting.
- Discuss the environmental impact of current production practices and where changes might be able to be made in the future.
Mark your calendars for the next staging of Drupa in 2028 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at Drupa 2028, visit drupa.com!