drupa 2016 to Showcase Printed Electronics, 3D Printing and Production Inkjet Printing

"Touch the Future:" Future technologies and markets in sight
With the motto of “Touch the Future," drupa 2016 will focus more heavily on future-oriented technologies such as printed electronics, 3D printing and inkjet printing with its industrial applications. These innovative technologies are driving the market forward and are opening up significant opportunities and growth potential worldwide, primarily in the field of packaging, functional and industrial printing. According to Smithers Pira (UK), sales in the packaging print sector will rise annually by four percentage points to US$ 970 billion by 2018. There are also indications of growth in the industrial and functional printing sector. Since 2008 this market, that includes printing processes for the production of decorative and laminated surfaces, ceramics, vehicle parts, promotional items or electronic products, has risen annually by 13.4 percent and in 2013 achieved a volume of US$ 43.7 billion. Experts from InfoTrends (USA/UK) currently value the market at US$ 100 billion. "We recognized the growth potential of these markets very early on and successfully set in motion the special 'PEPSO' (Printed Electronics Products and Solutions) exhibition at drupa 2012, for example," explains Werner Dornscheidt. "At drupa 2016 we will cover this topic with additional events in the specialized program and in form of special shows, known as 'touch points.'"