Good prospects for investment
Capital expenditure tumbled during Covid, recovered a little last year and accelerated this year with 27% more printers investing more in 2023 than those who reduced expenditure; a better global figure than any year since 2017. An even higher investment rate is forecast for 2024, by both printers and suppliers. In general print technology and finishing remain the most popular targets, with sheetfed offset and digital toner cutsheet colour being the most popular technologies globally, though there are significant variations by market.
Strong industry growth forecasts must of course be balanced by recognition of stiff economic headwinds, with the risk of recession, or at least damaging inflation, now outweighing the impact of the pandemic and a wide variety of more specific regional socio-economic concerns.
Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa and Global Head Print Technologies at Messe Duesseldorf, commented: “Printers and Suppliers know they must innovate to succeed in the longer term. I am confident that drupa 2024 will be the ideal opportunity to explore how best to achieve this objective.”
Infographics and obtaining the full reports
Infographics showing the key findings are attached to this press release. The full report in English will be released by mid of November and will be available for sale from www.drupa.com. The executive summary will be available for free in German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.
About drupa
Under the umbrella of the megatrends sustainability and digitalisation the international print and packaging sector will meet at drupa from 28 May to 7 June 2024. The world’s leading trade fair for print technologies is synonymous with inspiration, innovations, high-calibre knowledge transfer and intense networking. This is where the international top decision-makers of the industry meet and exchange ideas on current technology trends and ground-breaking developments. Tickets for drupa 2024 are now available in the ticket shop at www.drupa.com.