The interpack 2023 was the first trade fair of the packaging industry in Europe completely without travel restrictions. The Lengerichbased machine builder Windmöller & Hölscher draws a positive balance: The change in the packaging industry increases the demand for innovative machines. This offers market opportunities for the technology leader W&H. Sustainability was the biggest driver, combined with digitalization and the continuing drive for efficiency.
The interpack trade fair, which took place from May 4 to 10, 2023, is one of the largest trade fairs for the packaging industry and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. W&H was represented at the booth by employees from all over the world, 18 nationalities in total, just like before pandemic times. "At interpack, our global customers, packaging manufacturers and packaging printers, exhibit their latest products. In addition to product presentations, personal meetings are an important element of interpack for us," says Dr. Sascha Witt, Chief Sales Officer. For the Asian region, it was the industry's first European trade show without travel restrictions.
The themes of interpack show the future of the packaging industry. "Sustainability is a topic in every customer conversation," says W&H CEO Peter Steinbeck. But digitization and efficiency are also driving the industry further. "The three topics intertwine, for example, digitalization enables a new transparency, which is the basis for more sustainability," explains the CEO. "In addition to machines, we again presented examples of recyclable packaging solutions that can be produced with our technologies," says Witt.
Subsidiary GARANT Maschinen, a specialist in paper packaging, was also represented at the booth. One highlight presented: a new machine for the production of paper packaging for hygiene articles, for example outer packaging for diapers. "There is also a very high demand for machines for paper shipping bags, for example for online orders," says GARANT Managing Director Torsten Berding.