Digitally Printed Packaging Is Future

Sonja Angerer/06/10/2016/Events, Large Format/Sign, SIGN EN

Fachpack Nuremberg (September 27^th to 29^th, 2016) saw 40,000 visitors and a growing demand for digital printing solutions.

Already in 2015, digitally printed packaging has been accounting for 122 million sqm, and the number is expected to grow to around 520 million sqm through 2020. At least according to an estimation by Smithers Pira consultants quoted by Mondi at their press conference at Fachpack Fair Nuremberg on September 27, 2016. The show dedicated to packaging, technology, processing and logistics has been held annually at Frankonian capital since 1979, skipping every third year when Duesseldorf, some 460 kilometres away, hosts Interpack Show. In 2016, Fachpack attracted about 40.000 visitors, which was expected, but still down 9% from 2015´s more than 44,000 guests. The number of exhibitors (1,542) remained on a 2015 level (1,565). Twothirds of them and most guests are German, while a growing number of visitors travels to Nuremberg from Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland.

This year, major digital printer manufacturers returned to Fachpack, some of them after years of absence. Compared to other shows, Canon, Durst, Epson, HP or Mimaki though had booked only small booths. Some, like Canon and Mimaki with partners, others like Durst and HP without bringing machines along. While Andreas Lettner, Marketing Manager at Mimaki Germany, was happy with the show, as he says it gave the company “plenty of opportunity to showcase their industrial UV-LED solutions”, the overall presence of digital printer manufacturers was testament to an industry still more ore less testing the (digital) waters. Which does not come as a surprise – while most market players generally agree on a significant growth of digital applications in all areas of the packaging markets for the next few years, it is key to remember that digital packaging´s overall market share is minuscule right now. Just a small number of high-volume machines running 24/7 would be able to print all of today´s world market demand, while the vast majority of packaging applications have remained to be Flexo-printed so far.

Text and photo: Sonja Angerer

Sonja Angerer

Sonja is manager of Rrrabbitproductions, an editor´s office dedicated to technology. A certified print designer before turning trade journalist, (digital) printing technology is her main focus. With excellent contacts into local markets, she is able to offer deep insights into the DACH region. Sonja operates also a WideFormatStories fun shop where you can order t-shirts and wide format related gadgets. This is the link to this special shop: https://shop.spreadshirt.de/WideFormatStories. She writes in German as well as in English for a wide range of print and online trade publications, gives lectures on digital and industrial inkjet, and offers translation, localisation and Social Media services through her office.