Following uncertainty from companies as a result of high COVID-19 infections, Messe Düsseldorf has decided to cancel both Interpack and components 2021, scheduled to take place from 25 February to 3 March.
The decision came due to restrictions relating to the ongoing pandemic.
Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “We have done everything we can to do justice to Interpack’s tremendous importance for the processing and packaging industry, even during this pandemic – above all because we have received encouragement from the industry in support of a face-to-face event and have a hygiene concept that has been tried and tested in practice in place to protect everyone involved.
“Ultimately, however, feedback from our exhibitors has shown that the uncertainty is too great, and we are thus unable to host an Interpack event that would meet the standards of a leading international trade fair.”
In a statement, organisers stated that the Federal Government and German states had implemented stricter measures in Germany which could be extended into the new year, which does not give them “cause for hope that the situation will improve significantly over the course of the coming months”.
Focus is now on the next edition of Interpack, which will take place in May 2023.
Messe Düsseldorf had offered registered exhibitor’s special conditions for their participation and at the same time granted them an extraordinary right of termination for those companies that were unable or unwilling to take part.
Christian Traumann, President of Interpack 2021 and Managing Director & Group President at Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG, added: “Besides the unique market coverage, it provides, Interpack is primarily characterised by the direct exchange of information between market-leading companies and top decision-makers for brand names around the world.
“This is exactly what is now largely prevented by continuously high infection numbers in core Europe and the associated and continuing travel restrictions and quarantine regulations. We therefore welcome Messe Düsseldorf’s decision to cancel Interpack 2021 and are focussing on Interpack 2023.”
