The printing and paper industries are poised for a positive future, with sustainability taking center stage as a key theme. The upcoming Touchpoint Sustainability forum at drupa 2024 in Düsseldorf will highlight the industry’s direction and potential.
Thomas Schiemann, Managing Director of the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association, emphasizes the industry’s resilience despite megatrends like digitalization, demographic change, and climate change. He states, “Paper and printed products will still be used and needed in many areas of life in the coming decades – the industry has a future.”
The Touchpoint Sustainability forum, running from May 28 to June 7, 2024, will showcase industry best practices and innovations, demonstrating the economic benefits of sustainability for companies.
Schiemann notes, “There is massive pressure for change, driven primarily by two factors: digitalization and sustainability.” Digitalization is enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, giving investing companies a competitive edge. Additionally, sustainability is becoming a crucial consumer expectation, leading to increased investment in sustainable processes and products.
The printing and paper industries are transitioning towards a circular economy, aiming for long-term cost savings and ecological benefits. The Touchpoint Sustainability forum at drupa 2024 will focus on the industry’s role in this transformation.
The forum, organized by the VDMA Printing and Paper Technology Association, will feature best practice examples and innovative solutions for sustainability across the value chain. It will serve as a platform for dialogue, discussion, and knowledge transfer on the future of the industry.
The printing industry is expected to grow, particularly in the labels and packaging sector, according to a recent study by Smithers. The global printing industry is forecasted to grow over 2.1% annually in the next five years, driven by labels and packaging. Asia and Africa are expected to lead this growth, while Western Europe and North America are expected to see stable development.
The positive outlook for the printing and paper industries underscores the sector’s resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving market dynamics and consumer demands.