The Interpack Exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, is the world’s premier packaging trade fair, held once every three years. The previous edition dates back to 2017, and after a six-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, the event made its eagerly awaited return this year from May 4 to May 10. Shanghai Realscheme seized this rare opportunity to participate in this international gathering of the packaging industry, sharing insights and experiences with industry friends and peers. On-site, Realscheme Consulting offered its perspective to interpret industry trends and opportunities.
The exhibition featured a total of 2,700 exhibitors, segmented into nine major fields based on vertical applications of packaging, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and more. The food sector led with 404 exhibitors (see Table 1). In terms of country representation, German exhibitors ranked first with 584 companies, followed by China with 300 exhibitors ranking third (see Table 2). Considering the complete lifting of the pandemic and the complexities of obtaining German visas, this is a significant achievement for Chinese exhibitors.
(Table 1: Exhibitor Statistics by Industry Category)
Digital Technologies was a key focus for Realscheme at this exhibition, as digital transformation is closely tied to the current needs of our clients. Our customers are actively exploring digital transformation paths that suit their unique characteristics. I had discussions with several colleagues from French and German packaging manufacturing companies, who believe that digitalization is an important tool for flattening organizational structures and improving operational efficiency. Though complex, it offers significant returns and is a crucial topic for businesses.
One American software company showcased its enterprise resource management system software for the packaging vertical, which includes all functional modules from quoting to e-commerce. They argued that process-based or parallel software cannot address the specific needs of the packaging industry, particularly in terms of production processes and the changing demands of upstream customers. They also shared application cases from certain countries to demonstrate how their software has helped clients. The company owner and the engineer giving the presentation were both in their 60s, yet their dedication and enthusiasm were impressive.
A German software company presented an IoT (Internet of Things) platform for packaging based on a specific software as its core. The platform integrates over 1,000 industrial apps and is primarily being promoted in Europe. They expressed strong confidence in their backbone network platform and are eager to open-source and share more applications with customers via their cloud platform. This plan sounds promising, and we look forward to seeing its progress.
Finally, it was no surprise that mainstream equipment manufacturers also introduced MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) solutions. One company even introduced their Industrial 5.0 solution and its comparative advantages at their booth. Overall, most equipment manufacturers focused on explaining digital transformation around their equipment application scenarios and process characteristics. This highlights the anxiety felt by companies in the digital transformation era. The core demands for digital software—such as architectural management advancements, granularity, and integration with clients and suppliers—require management accumulation, research and development investment, and, most importantly, customer applications and iterative testing. It calls for deeper, more specialized analysis and practical implementation plans.
Product Safety was a key theme supported primarily by label equipment manufacturers and traceability (QR Code) software companies. Some companies showcased innovative packaging design solutions that enhance product security. Others presented smart packaging solutions that serve not only basic functions but also support home services. Several equipment manufacturers demonstrated fully automated food solutions that minimize human intervention in production and ensure seamless integration of in-house logistics. A Japanese packaging company showcased a third-party partner management platform that enhances operational value in packaging businesses through innovative business models and supply chain management. An Austrian company demonstrated the application of human visual technology in anti-counterfeit labels, creating customized visual AI solutions based on clients' CI images and brand schemes.
Traceability solutions were scattered throughout various exhibition halls with high levels of visualization. It’s clear that, as Europe’s digital transformation accelerates and data security and information compliance policies become more standardized, the value of industrial back-end data applications and data assets has undeniably become a significant area of opportunity. Artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and big data will drive innovations in new packaging business models, positioning packaging not just as a consumable in isolated industries, but as a third-party force in industrial sustainability and the circular economy. The future looks promising!
Outstanding companies and individuals embody the spirit of striving for the difficult and pursuing sustainable development. The 2023 Interpack Exhibition in Germany showcased the highest standards and future trends in the packaging supply chain. Digital technology will further drive integration between packaging product manufacturers, equipment suppliers, upstream customers, and downstream suppliers. Corporate process reengineering and digital transformation have become an irreversible trend that cannot be stopped.
About Realscheme:
Shanghai Realscheme Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Shanghai, with cooperative networks in Seattle, Munich, and Singapore. The company serves industries including printing and packaging, education and culture, textiles, cables, and metal processing, focusing on comprehensive solutions for digital transformation in manufacturing. Realscheme provides services such as process reengineering consulting, digital transformation implementation, and smart manufacturing integration. Realscheme embraces the future and achieves customer success! The company currently serves over 100 industry clients, with a professional consulting team of senior industry experts. By leveraging its specialization, platform, and international advantages, Realscheme promotes best practices in manufacturing and supports successful digital transformation in the industry.
For more company information and success stories, please refer to our website and official WeChat account: http://www.realscheme.com.
Contact: Ms. Zhou Xiaoqing, 18019320206.
