During the Delhi roadshow, we had the opportunity to speak with Sabine Geldermann, director of drupa and Portfolio Print Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf. In this insightful interview, Geldermann discusses the eagerly anticipated edition of drupa. From the industry’s global challenges to the remarkable growth of Indian exhibitors, Geldermann unveils the significance of drupa 2024. She delves into the event’s overarching goals, emphasizing the pivotal role of digitalization, sustainability, and AI in shaping the industry’s future.
Mahan Hazarika: Could you share with our readers the significance of the upcoming edition of drupa and what makes it highly relevant for the industry?
Sabine Geldermann: Absolutely. We are thrilled to open our doors again after nearly eight years, from 28 May to 7 June. The upcoming drupa edition promises to be a crucial event for the industry, addressing global mega-trends like digitalization, sustainability, circular economy, connectivity, and platform economy. It is a platform to understand industry developments, challenges, and the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.
Mahan Hazarika: How has the Indian presence improved at drupa and could you highlight some of the Indian exhibitors participating in the current edition?
Sabine Geldermann: Certainly! Indian exhibitors like Line-O-Matic, UFlex, Pelican, Rotoflex, The Printers House, Cosmo Films, Suba Solutions, Pratham Technologies, Autoprint Machinery Manufacturers, Impel Services and Sahil Graphics are some of the big names participating from India.
India’s progress is evident when considering the 2016 edition as a benchmark. At that time, there were only 42 exhibitors from India. Now, we proudly host 74 Indian exhibitors, marking a doubling of the net space they occupy. This noteworthy expansion reflects the impressive growth and positive trajectory of India’s participation in the exhibition.
Mahan Hazarika: What long-term goals or outcomes do you hope to see as a result of this edition of drupa, particularly in light of the industry’s current challenges?
Sabine Geldermann: Our overarching goal is to strengthen the industry, especially during challenging times like geopolitical issues, high energy and paper prices, and inflation. We aim to showcase opportunities, particularly driven by digital technologies like inkjet, which offers diverse printing capabilities on various substrates.
Our focus is strongly influenced by digital technologies, particularly inkjet, which is poised to shape the future. With inkjet, the capability to print on a diverse range of substrates, including graphic arts, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, metal, aluminum, and textiles, opens up numerous opportunities for our customers. It’s essential for them to grasp how they can diversify their portfolios in light of these possibilities.
Mahan Hazarika: How do you envision sustainability and digitalization shaping the print industry, and why were they chosen as the central theme for this edition?
Sabine Geldermann: I think ongoing digitalization enhances automation and efficiency, reducing dependency on human resources and supporting sustainability. By analyzing global data and embracing big data, we can make processes more efficient and eco-friendly, reducing waste and making production more sustainable. It will also contribute to sustainability, as improving efficiency in processes and minimizing waste, whether it’s paper or any substrate, enables a more sustainable mode of production.
Mahan Hazarika: Speaking of technology, could you elaborate on how AI has revolutionized the printing and packaging industry? What specific applications will be highlighted during the event?
Sabine Geldermann: AI’s impact will be showcased at our dedicated touchpoint on sustainability, organized by VDMA, our major association partner and the Association for Print and Paper Technology. They are going to present an outstanding dedicated forum providing visions from 2024 until 2040 and more, focusing on sustainable solutions and best practices. Attendees will gain insights into reducing carbon footprints, utilizing new materials to decrease energy consumption, and exploring innovations across the entire value chain.
Mahan Hazarika: Thank you for your insights, Sabine. We wish you a very successful drupa this time, and we look forward to witnessing the industry’s advancements.
Sabine Geldermann: Thank you, and we hope to see you at drupa to continue supporting and spreading awareness about the exciting developments in the industry.
