From 11 – 13 March 2025, the international converting industry will meet in Munich for the 14th edition of ICE Europe, the world’s leading marketplace to source bespoke converting solutions for flexible and web-based materials. For an initial preview of the event, we sat down for an interview with Patrick Herman, Event Director for Converting, Paper and Print Events at RX.
Mr Herman, the converting industry is experiencing probably its largest transformation in decades. How will this transformative aspect be reflected in the upcoming ICE Europe 2025?
Patrick Herman: There certainly is a noticeable transformation underway. Much like other industries, the converting sector is leaning towards technological progress, aiming to unlock new growth opportunities in a challenging economic climate. As a result, we expect converting to become more automated, sustainable, and market-responsive than ever before. At the same time, we are witnessing a rise in mergers, acquisitions, and strategic collaborations, as companies look to share resources and gain access to new technologies and markets. I think the converting industry as a whole shows a very clear commitment to driving technological change, and this will be reflected in the impressive number of innovations and live machines on the ICE show floor. As of now, over 90% of the stand space has already been booked, and the exhibitor portfolio is shaping up beautifully. We are excited to welcome a stellar line-up of top suppliers who are eager to showcase their amazing technical expertise and innovations as they drive the future of the industry forward.
With only a few months left until the trade fair opens, let’s talk about the supporting programme. What can visitors to ICE Europe expect?
P. Herman: We are really excited to introduce the new ICE Conference with expert talks on the latest topics, technologies, and trends in converting. As the industry’s benchmark event, our goal is to provide better access to information about emerging technologies and their potential gains. By launching a new conference platform, we would like to invite industry professionals to engage even
more with the latest innovations and insights, helping them make informed decisions when it comes to sourcing the right equipment for their production process. We are also pleased to see the return of the popular ICE Awards which recognise exceptional achievements in technical excellence and innovation. We have three categories this year, focusing on key topic areas in converting: Workflow Connectivity and Automation, Sustainability, and New Technology. We usually get a huge turnout of participants for the ICE Awards which is nice to see – it is so important to acknowledge the hard work behind good innovations!
Visitors to ICE Europe and CCE International are coming to Munich from all over Europe and beyond. What are your recommendations for everyone who wants to attend the event?
P. Herman: With so much on offer, we always recommend starting with researching new products and services well ahead of your show visit. You can do this online, from the comfort of your home. Just head to our online exhibitor list to create your personal agenda of favourite suppliers you would like to meet in Munich. You can subscribe to our e-news to receive updates on the show as preparations progress, so you won’t miss anything. Our website is also a good starting point to arrange travel and accommodation, with practical information and useful links.
But most importantly, I would recommend making full use of the many networking and learning opportunities during our three show days. Allow yourself plenty of time to meet suppliers in person and explore the live machinery they have on display, and use the ICE Awards and new ICE Conference as a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge and network with suppliers, experts and peers. And maybe allow some extra time to venture into beautiful Munich. The Museum Island is always worth a visit and home of Deutsches Museum, the world’s largest museum of science and technology. It’s intriguing to trace modern technologies back to their early foundations and see the incredible advancements achieved since then.
Personally, what are you looking forward to the most when it comes to next year’s ICE edition?
P. Herman: The 2025 edition of ICE Europe will be the first without any post-COVID travel restrictions, allowing unrestricted access for all participants once more. The previous ICE Europe in 2023 already attracted a professional audience from 64 countries, and we expect an even stronger international turnout next March as we welcome visitors from all corners of the world again. On the exhibitor side, we are pleased to see booking numbers move towards pre-pandemic levels. Besides Germany, this year’s top exhibitor countries are Italy, Turkey, China, Great Britain, Spain, the United States, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. I really look forward to an event that is set to take the industry to new heights, presenting fresh opportunities for innovation, collabora- tion, and growth on a global level.