By September 2023, Messe Düsseldorf had confirmed that drupa 2024 would run from 28 May to 7 June at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds—the first full-scale edition since 2016 and the first post-pandemic gathering at full international attendance levels. For flexible packaging converters, drupa remains the reference event for CI flexo, laminating, and digital print platforms shown at production scale.
Preview communications from OEMs signalled a strong focus on automation, shorter changeover cycles, and energy-efficient drying systems—topics that matter for snack and food laminate lines running multiple SKUs daily. Sustainability and regulatory compliance appeared as a dedicated thematic track, reflecting PPWR negotiations underway in Brussels.
Application teams advised buyers to prepare hall-layout drawings and substrate samples before booking booth meetings. drupa demonstrations are most useful when visitors can compare register performance on their actual film gauge rather than generic sample stock. Witnessing a changeover relevant to your SKU mix—not only a best-case speed run—remained the standard recommendation.
Regional converters who could not travel to Düsseldorf planned parallel reviews with suppliers at Asian packaging shows or scheduled Wenzhou factory visits for run-off acceptance. drupa nonetheless set the technology baseline that quotation committees referenced through 2024 and 2025 investment cycles.
Ticket pricing and hall maps published in late 2023 helped plant managers budget travel for engineering teams. With PPWR trilogue expected in Q1 2024, many converters timed drupa visits to align equipment scoping conversations with the regulatory direction emerging from Brussels.