As this issue of L&NW goes to press, the global printing community is turning its attention to Dusseldorf, Germany, the site of the renowned drupa tradeshow. It’s been eight long years since the last drupa, and much has happened since. Heck, the last time drupa was held, Barack Obama was the US president, a pandemic was something to only experience in movies or history books, and the Cleveland Cavaliers – led by LeBron James – were on their way to winning their first NBA championship. The world today is in a different place from what it was in 2016, and the same can be said for the printing industry.

For the uninitiated, drupa is the largest printing exhibition in the world. The word drupa comes from the German words druck und papier (print and paper), and the event – which lasts two full weeks, from May 28 to June 7,  covers every niche of the industry, including narrow web.

For drupa 2024, it has been declared that sustainability is one of its two “megatrends,” along with digitalization. According to show organizers, these two megatrends go hand-in-hand because “Industry 4.0 is the key to overall sustainable production in the print and packaging industry.” As the show commences, let’s take a look at some the label and narrow web industry innovations that are addressing these megatrends and will be on display over the course of the first drupa fortnight in eight years.

Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, is launching its next evolution Panther inkjet technology with the world premiere of the Xeikon PX3300HD, a new 1200 dpi digital press. Developed for high-quality labels, the 5-color machine offers a 330mm printing width and speeds up to 70 m/m, even when printing with high opacity white. In addition, Xeikon PX3300HD utilizes a newly developed ink series, PX-Cure LED HD, to ensure perfect curing while supporting sustainability targets for converters.

Xeikon has recently partnered with Kurz company Scribos to collaborate on new technology that enables digital label printers to provide added value with interactive features for brand protection, track and trace, and consumer engagement. At the Xeikon drupa booth, visitors can witness this new application printed live on Xeikon’s TITON press, which will be set up to run in a single-pass with the Kurz metalization module. Demonstrated on a paper-based wine label, the interactive features are easily accessible by scanning the QR code with a mobile device.

“With copy-protected QR codes and high-quality metallic embellishments, Xeikon is exploring the full potential of digital, giving customers a new, innovative way of differentiating themselves in the very competitive label market,” says Jeroen Van Bauwel, Xeikon’s director, Solution Design.

Durst is inviting drupa visitors to be among the first to witness the features and capabilities of the KJet, a machine the company says is poised to revolutionize the industry. The launch will showcase presentations by Durst and Omet management and an expert team, along with hands-on demonstrations. According to Durst, the KJet represents the pinnacle of hybrid technology and features a user-friendly interface and ultra-short web path.

“The combination of digital with flexo offers an innovative hybrid solution that maximizes productivity and flexibility, enabling printers to select between flexo or digital printing, thereby optimizing efficiency and reducing costs while meeting evolving market demands such as personalization and just-in-time deliveries in a single-pass,” states Thomas Macina, sales director for Labels & Flexible Packaging, Durst.

HP will spotlight eight automated production lines capable of handling 80 jobs and 25 different applications. With sustainability at the core of drupa 2024, HP says it is set to tell the industry more about its actions to deliver on its commitment to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030. “We’re committed to unlocking profitable and sustainable growth for our customers,” says Haim Levit, SVP and division president of HP Industrial Print. “ Our LEP, LEPx, and inkjet technologies have improved in terms of quality, versatility, productivity, sustainability, and economics, and our commitment and significant investment into continuous innovation has enabled over 8,000 printers and converters to expand their businesses and grow sustainably.”

Despite the emphasis on digital, innovation in conventional print technologies such as flexography will also be showcased at drupa. For example, DuPont is highlighting DuPont Cyrel EASY flexographic printing plates and its newest equipment offering. Cyrel EASY simplifies the prepress process by building the flat-top digital dot directly into the plate, resulting in increased productivity and consistency. Visitors to the show will be able to view the complete Cyrel EASY plate portfolio, which is available for thermal and solvent-free processes with engineered surface or smooth surface.

At drupa 2024, visitors to the stage area will have the opportunity to learn how Bobst is bringing its vision to reality through a live-show experience on a “concept machine.”  Through key solutions along the end-to-end production process, several Bobst advancements will be featured. “We have made great progress with our vision to shape the future of the packaging world based on the pillars of connectivity, digitalization, automation, and sustainability,” says Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO, Bobst Group. “Our latest solutions embed machines and software with the aim to increase performance, complementing our global offering beyond machine operation, helping us all to build toward a more connected and sustainable future.”

Shown at drupa will be two major new features for Bobst Connect, the company’s cloud-based digital platform, which improves productivity. Workflow with Job and Recipe Management empowers customers to integrate Bobst machines in their production and design workflows and benefit from bi-directional job and recipe data synchronization for fast setup and increased productivity. The Energy Monitoring feature allows customers to measure their energy consumption and costs in real time.

Polyart will introduce its latest product lines tailored to meet the current demands of customers, particularly with regard to sustainability and digital printing. Polyart will highlight three primary product lines and services: Digital, featuring a new dry toner coating for Polyart for graphic applications, along with a water-based inkjet range designed for labels (including BS5609 grade); Sustainability, introducing a new range of films, r-Polyart and r-Satinex, for labels, as well as a new range of papers – r-Fluolux for fluorescent papers, Fiberskin, and Fiberskin Tag for graphic and label applications; and PolyServices, offering comprehensive solutions for coating subcontracting and customized solutions for papers and films.

Maxcess will display its portfolio of automated products for better, faster, and smarter web handling solutions, including innovations in web guiding, tension control, vision inspection, performance rolls, slitting, winding, diecutting, and more. Maxcess’s product highlights at drupa 2024 include high-precision web guiding systems for maintaining precise web alignment for optimal converting results – the new Fife SmartDrive Actuator and GuideLine Digital Sensor will be demonstrated at the booth. With a focus on tension control, Maxcess will demonstrate MAGPOWR and Tidland tension control systems and how machine operators can effectively monitor and control web tension to ensure consistent material handling to reduce waste and scrap. Also on dislplay will be the Maxcess VisionMax Vision System, which offers 100% print and surface inspection to optimize productivity, minimize return risks, and reduce waste.

Education and insight

At drupa, the “touchpoint packaging” segment of the show will bring together trade and university representatives, designers, material suppliers, printers and converters to discuss the future of packaging, present joint projects,  and, above all, offer brand owners insight into the possibilities of print in packaging. With the motto “Ready to redefine packaging?”, touchpoint packaging will provide input with a special focus on consumer needs, technical developments, legal framework conditions, as well as the full potential of packaging in marketing. Visitors to drupa can look forward to inspiration and solutions for food, non-food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic brands.

The conference portion of drupa 2024 is called drupa cube. This edition of the cube will put an emphasis on the following questions:  “Why print is more important than ever in the digital age? Why don’t consumers always see print products as sustainable? And how can you calculate your carbon footprint?”

These are just some of the topics that will be addressed at the drupa cube. The conference will provide inspiration and expertise in more than 50 sessions. The program includes five keynotes and presentations focused on increasing business success, circular economy and sustainability, the future of the printing and packaging industry, as well as sessions and best practice examples on new business models and trends. Speakers will share best practice examples and will discuss the global megatrends that have already influenced and will continue to affect the printing and packaging industry. A notable cube speaker is Dario Urbinati, CEO of the Gallus Group. During his session he will explain why vision is so important, and his focus will be on strategies for tackling current challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers.