again

Under the heading ‘Welcome Home’, for seven days in May, interpack welcomed visitors from all over the world, connecting the industry on a global level and acting as both a marketplace for new developments as well as a content hub.

Organisers say the exhibition delivered what it promised and exceeded exhibitors’ expectations: by bringing together approximately 143,000 visitors from 155 countries, many of which came with firm intentions to buy.

Two thirds of them came from outside Germany, and alongside many European countries, the largest visitor nations were India, Japan and the USA. They were greeted by 2,807 exhibitors that showcased the considerable range of new machinery that has been developed since interpack 2017.

The next interpack will be held in Düsseldorf from 7 – 13 May 2026, but in the meantime, the next 17 pages of this issue covers just some of the new technologies on show this time.

VDMA calls for less bureaucracy to help engineering to thrive

At interpack, chairman of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association Christian Traumann, and group president of Multivac, appealed to politicians to do more to reduce bureaucracy for mechanical engineering and to open up markets.

“If a transformation of the manufacturing industry is to succeed, we must not be overwhelmed with regulations, but must be supported by policies that promote industry and small and medium-sized enterprises,” he told the VDMA press conference. “Innovation needs entrepreneurial freedom and competition,” he said, referring to slow approval procedures in Germany and also the current and upcoming EU regulations.

In an increasingly protectionist environment, he said, the EU must focus on free trade agreements. Only then can new barriers be prevented from being erected for European industry.

Expanding operations in the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada for customer advantage

At interpack, the UK arm of Grunwald announced an enhanced partnership with Grunwald GmbH, the specialist supplier of format flexible cup and bucket filling and sealing equipment.

This new partnership will see Grunwald Ltd offering all marketing, sales and aftersales support in the UK, Ireland, USA as well as Canada, which is a new territory for the business.

Samantha Smith (operations and projects director at Grunwald Ltd) and James Causebrook (md of Grunwald Ltd), the renewed partnership will also see the two teams working collaboratively in new areas for customer gain.

A four-line rotary filling and sealing machine on its stand was finding favour with visitors as this compact unit offers a long shelf life, labour savings and short payback.

Spearheaded by Ralf Müller (md of Grunwald GmbH), Causebrook, Smith and Müller unite

T 01529 414999

W www.grunwald-uk.com

Innovative. Efficient. Individual. Intelligent lines for maximum productivity

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» Box loading & palettizing

MULTIVAC is an experienced manufacturer of automation solutions. With our comprehensive understanding of your products and requirements, we develop solutions for even the most complex of packaging and automation tasks - from a single automation process to a complete factory solution. Developed, delivered and serviced by MULTIVAC as your engineering partner, your complete contractor and one-stop supplier.