ICE Europe 2023 heads back towards record numbers of pre-pandemic times

Organiser RX’s 13th International Converting Exhibition (ICE) in in Munich, 14-16 March, attracted 4,850 trade visitors from 64 countries. They were able to discover the latest machinery, systems, materials, and accessories and the attendance represented a 30% increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous edition.

The show hosted 338 exhibitors from 20 countries on 8,700sqm of net exhibition space.

“We are delighted to see such a positive turnout and how this year’s exhibition matched the energy and enthusiasm of our shows before the pandemic. Both exhibitors and visitors were highly satisfied, whether meeting with existing contacts or establishing new business relations. This affirms our course for the ICE Europe brand and makes us very proud to be able to provide the converting community with a regular key event – the only of its kind,” said Patrick Herman, event director, on behalf of RX.

The top exhibitor countries included Germany, Italy, Turkey, China, Great Britain, Spain, the United States, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands.

The ICE Awards took place on the first show day, honouring three exhibiting companies – chosen by online voting – for their outstanding technological achievements.

Award categories were: ‘Digital Converting Solutions’, ‘Sustainable Products and Converting Processes’, and ‘Efficient Production Solutions’.  

DIENES Werke für Maschinenteile GmbH & Co.KG. received 34% of all votes in the category ‘Digital Converting Solutions’ and won an ICE Award for its TEOC (‘The End of Coincidences’), which combines DIENES’ digitalisation activities.

In the ‘Sustainable Products and Converting Processes’ category, INOMETA GmbH received 38% of all votes and won the ICE Award for its heating roller, which has been designed to meet the needs and requirements for laminating foils and other substrates.

With 29% of all votes, the company tesa SE won the ICE Award in the category ‘Efficient Production Solutions’ for its highly durable roller wrapping tape.

Organisers announced the next ICE Europe will take place, 12-14 March 2024 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Other shows in the ICE series of dedicated trade events for the converting industry include ICE China (11-13 October at the Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Centre) and ICEC USA (9-11 January 2024, in Orlando, Florida).