Messe Düsseldorf is postponing interpack and drupa, with both events now to take place in 2021.
Specifically, interpack will now take place from 25 February to 3 March 2021, and drupa is postponed until 20-30 April, 2021.
In doing so, the organiser of the events, Messe Düsseldorf, is following the recommendation of the crisis management team of the German Federal Government to take into account the principles of the Robert Koch Institute when assessing the risk of major events. Based on this recommendation and the recent significant increase in the number of people infected with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID19), including in Europe, Messe Düsseldorf has reassessed the situation. In addition, there is the general ruling issued by the city of Düsseldorf on 11 March 2020, in which major events with more than 1000 participants present at the same time are generally prohibited.
Werner M. Dornscheidt, chairman of the board of management at Messe Düsseldorf, said, ‘The decision was taken in close consultation with our advisory boards and sponsoring associations.’
The decision also reflects the wishes of individual industries, as Mr Dornscheidt explained. ‘As their partner, we are currently doing everything in our power to reduce the economic losses suffered by our exhibitors.’
Messe Düsseldorf had already postponed a number of events scheduled for March and early April in the German city.
Thomas Geisel, Lord Mayor of the state capital of Düsseldorf and chairman of the supervisory board at Messe Düsseldorf, continued, ‘The city of Düsseldorf is following the instructions of the state government. Our aim is to slow down the spread of the corona virus so that the health system can continue to function properly.’
Mr Dornscheidt continued, ‘We would like to thank all partners for their excellent cooperation in making these difficult and time sensitive decisions. We are pleased that together dates were found so quickly in order to provide all those affected with reliability in planning. Of course, we are also in close contact with the hotel industry and all industries affected by the shifts in order to find feasible solutions.’
The postponement of drupa follows that of a number of other print and/or packaging events around the world, which you can read about here. The supply chain is also responding to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, and is working to reassure customers about continuity of business.
Regardless of the postponement of drupa, Digital Labels & Packaging will continue to bring you all the news and technical breakthroughs scheduled to be introduced to the digital package printing landscape this year, such as HP Indigo’s new suite of Series 5 and 6 digital presses, Highcon’s updated portfolio of finishing equipment, the commercialisation of new metallisation technology from Actega Metal Print, and the launch of new systems and platforms from the likes of Industrial Inkjet, Koenig & Bauer Durst, and Kodak and Uteco; more will follow and you can stay up to speed here, where Digital Labels & Packaging will continue to collate updates and new product developments. Register here to make sure you receive all our output.
