From May 28 to June 7, the 2024 Drupa Print Exhibition, themed 'Creating the Future Together', was held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Drupa Print Exhibition is one of the largest international exhibitions in the global printing industry, with over 1,600 exhibitors this year, among which Chinese exhibitors accounted for the largest number, exceeding 400. Chinese companies showcased the latest technological innovations in printing equipment and processes.

Focusing on sustainable development and digital transformation

At the entrance of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center, staff distributed exhibition manuals and exhibitor directories printed on 100% biodegradable materials. Inside the exhibition hall, natural raw materials such as grass, bamboo, hemp, and sugarcane residue were visible, all of which can serve as alternatives to wood fibers for papermaking. Throughout this exhibition, the concept of sustainable development permeated every aspect, with almost all companies mentioning environmentally friendly features when showcasing their products and technologies.

The printing and packaging industry needs to pay more attention to sustainable development and move towards green and environmentally friendly practices,” said Thomas Schimann, General Manager of the Printing and Paper Technology Department of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association. He introduced that a major innovation of this exhibition was the establishment of a sustainable development booth for the first time, where 30 companies showcased solutions related to industry sustainability. Andreas Pleisker, Chairman of the Drupa Print Exhibition, stated that sustainable development means reducing waste, promoting the reuse of printing materials, and fostering healthy industry development.

At the Heidelberg Printing Machinery Company booth in Germany, more than ten printing machines were lined up, with an automatic feeder pushing over one meter high white printing paper into the printing machine from the side, where the machine quickly printed colorful images on each sheet. A large screen in front of the control panel displayed the operating status, task progress, and order information of each machine in real-time. David Schmeidin, President of Global Sales and Service, introduced that the company is actively exploring digital transformation by applying technologies such as artificial intelligence to production service processes, making the printing process more intuitive and visual, effectively improving work efficiency and better meeting customer needs.

In the digital textile printing area, 3D software on the computer integrates fabric simulation and artificial intelligence technology, allowing designers to quickly create clothing styles and then send the design patterns to the digital printing machine. According to system instructions, different patterns and colors are printed on the fabric. Next, the cutting machine automatically cuts the fabric, and robotic arms place the cut fabric into different bins. Finally, after sewing, a sportswear in red, yellow, and blue is completed. According to staff from the German Institute of Textile and Fiber Research, this digital process is simple and quick, efficiently utilizing environmentally friendly materials to customize the production of sportswear and outerwear, providing ideas for cross-industry cooperation and product innovation.

Chinese companies showcase multiple technological innovations

At this exhibition, Chinese companies not only reached a record high in number but also made significant advancements in equipment and technology innovation,” said Zong Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Printing and Equipment Industry Association. In recent years, Chinese printing companies have increasingly pursued green and environmentally friendly practices in printing materials and processes while actively exploring overseas markets. More than 80% of the equipment exhibited by Chinese companies has been booked, demonstrating the continuous efforts of Chinese manufacturing in intelligence and sustainable development.

At the booth of Xi'an Aerospace Huayang Electromechanical Equipment Co., Ltd., a new generation of satellite-type flexographic printing machines was demonstrating high-speed printing, reaching speeds of up to 600 meters per minute, astonishing many on-site spectators. According to the company's chief engineer Li Yu, the satellite-type flexographic printing machine was independently developed by the company, with more precise printing pressure and higher dot restoration rates. In 2023, the proportion of the company's export contracts exceeded 40%, and in 2024, 32 units of equipment have already been exported.

Hangzhou Kele Electromechanical Industrial Co., Ltd. demonstrated the '7-color wide color gamut high-fidelity printing' process, with on-site plate making and printing, allowing users to experience the transformation brought by intelligent and digital technologies up close. According to Fan Xiejun, Chief Operating Officer of Kele, the company showcased three innovative devices at the exhibition, including the world's first dual-drum high-speed direct plate-making machine (CTP) DD870, which can achieve unattended intelligent and efficient production operations with a fully automatic supply of 1,500 sheets and a high-speed plate-making speed of over 70 sheets per hour. As one of the largest CTP equipment manufacturers globally, Kele's overseas business currently accounts for more than 50% of its total business.

At the booth of Shenzhen Wande Digital Technology Co., Ltd., three devices were printing beautifully colored cardboard. Luo Sanliang, Deputy General Manager of Wande, introduced that the company showcased three digital printing equipment for packaging at the exhibition, demonstrating the latest digital inkjet technology. The printing quality is more delicate and realistic, with color effects comparable to offset printing, meeting customers' high-end color printing needs for thin paper, cardboard, and coated paper. 'Our products are very popular in overseas markets, with overseas business accounting for 40% of the company's overall business.'

'I have encountered many excellent Chinese exhibitors, and the achievements of the Chinese printing industry in promoting technological progress and sustainable development are widely recognized,' David Schmeidin told reporters. 'The thriving Chinese printing industry provides more opportunities for enterprises from various countries.'

Promoting industrial cooperation and innovative development together

During the exhibition, the China Printing Technology Association hosted the 'Bi Sheng Printing Cooperation Forum: Drupa Dialogue'. The forum, themed 'New Opportunities, New Cooperation, New Future', brought together officials from the Printing and Distribution Bureau of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the World Printing and Communication Forum, the European Printing Industry Alliance, and the Düsseldorf Exhibition Group, along with over 180 entrepreneurs and experts from the printing industry in China and abroad, to discuss printing culture, talk about innovative development, and seek cooperation.

The 'Light of Chinese Printing' exhibition held during the forum is divided into several units, including the origin and development of Chinese characters, the invention and development of papermaking, the invention and development of printing, and the spread of printing technology to the world, showcasing China's long-standing printing and publishing culture and its significant contributions to world civilization.

Marius Bellermann, head of the Asian Center of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Group, stated that as early as the 11th century, Chinese inventor Bi Sheng created movable type printing, leading a great technological revolution in the history of world printing. 'Even today, this spirit of innovation continues,' Bellermann said, noting that digital transformation and green sustainable development have become the core themes of today's global printing industry and are key areas for the vigorous development of Chinese enterprises.

Volker Jansen, head of the Printing and Packaging Technology Department at Stuttgart Media University in Germany, stated that the emergence of printing greatly advanced human civilization and cultural exchange. This time, Chinese exhibitors fully showcased the technological innovations and rapid development of the printing industry, leaving a deep impression.

Divoof, President of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Group, stated that the Drupa Print Exhibition provides an important platform for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between Germany and China in the fields of printing and papermaking. China is one of the most important overseas exhibiting countries at the Düsseldorf exhibition, and Germany and China should further expand economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges to promote mutual understanding.

(This report was sent from Düsseldorf, Germany on June 5.)