EVENT PREVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 06/25 www.petpla.net 42 “Sustainability remains a central focus worldwide”by Gabriele Kosmehl In conversation with PETplanet, Markus Kosak, Executive Director drinktec Cluster shares insights in market dynamics and outlines what to expect from drinktec 2025 and the PETpoint area PETplanet: We’re slowly approaching the final stretch leading up to drinktec. Can you give us an update on current bookings and ongoing planning efforts? Kosak: We are seeing a very strong response for drinktec 2025. The exhibition halls are nearly fully booked, with only a few remaining spaces available. New inquiries continue to come in, and we are doing our best to allocate them within the appropriate exhibition segments. With the 2025 edition of the trade fair, the industry is once again affirming that there is a broad and diverse range of technologies and solutions for beverage and liquid food production on an international level. Thanks to a strong international exhibitor presence, we are once again underlining the strength and core identity of the drinktec brand. drinktec has long established itself as the premier trade show for beverage and liquid food producers worldwide. PETplanet: The 2022 edition was still somewhat overshadowed by COVID-related restrictions. For example, Chinese exhibitors were less present than usual due to strict quarantine rules upon returning home. How international will this year’s drinktec be? Kosak: We are seeing strong interest from international exhibitors: Based on current bookings, the share of international exhibitors is expected to reach around 70 percent. You are right – in the 2022 edition, we had only a limited number of bookings from Chinese exhibitors due to strict regulations in China at the time. Fortunately, the situation has changed for the upcoming drinktec 2025: China will once again hold a prominent position in our exhibitor rankings. With around 100 exhibitors, it will represent the third-largest exhibitor group, highlighting the significant potential of Chinese suppliers for the beverage and liquid food industry. We are also seeing strong demand for exhibition space from other regions around the world. This includes countries with close ties to the EU, as well as regions where we have already established a presence through our brand – such as India. We are particularly pleased to see new countries joining our exhibitor list. This reflects the dynamic developments within the global supplier market for equipment and ingredients for the beverage and liquid food industry. PETplanet: How is the trade show integrating digital tools or hybrid formats to enhance the visitor and exhibitor experience? Kosak: Our website offers quick and interactive access to everything the trade fair has to offer – including an interactive hall plan optimised for mobile devices. Visitors can also take advantage of various search functions available directly on the website. Another key feature accessible via our website is the Innovation Guide, which can be activated upon entering the fair using a QR code. It leads visitors directly to exhibitors featured in the guide for their innovative solutions. Our approach is to provide a single digital touchpoint through the website, offering a wide range of tools in one place. We are also leveraging digital tools for creative and experiential elements. For example, an Innovation Tunnel will be installed at the West Entrance, designed to inspire visitors from the very moment they enter the exhibition. PETplanet: What are the hot topics the trade show is focusing on this year? Kosak: For drinktec 2025, we are focusing on three key themes. Under the main theme “Circularity & Resource Management”, the program will cover topics such as water reuse and wastewater treatment. Presentations will explore how global demands for reduced water consumption can be met from various perspectives. Additional focal points include energy recovery, the use of by-products from production processes, and optimised material use in packaging. In this context, the implementation of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will also be addressed in the conference program. The second main theme, “Data2Value”, centres on process transparency and the integration of solutions that leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence. Examples include flavour prediction models and predictive maintenance systems. Similar technologies are being applied in the design of cleaning processes: AI, combined with machine learning, can identify contamination levels in containers and automatically initiate tailored cleaning cycles. The third main theme, “Lifestyle & Health”, provides insights into market trends such as flavour solutions for low- and no-alcohol beers, alcoholfree wines, and fermented beverages. Visitors will discover how to tap into the growth potential of this segment through optimised formulations. Functional beverages enriched with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fibre, or probiotics are expected to gain market share. Increasingly important, too, are
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