FESPA 2015 which runs from May 18-22, 2015 will introduce a new feature, 'Industrial Showcase" to highlight innovations taking place in industrial printing in both, screen and digital processes.
“The feature will occupy 100 sq metres in Hall 8, and is being hosted in partnership with ESMA, the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association,” FESPA said in a press release.
The Industrial Showcase at FESPA 2015 will create an easily identifiable destination area where visitors with an interest in industrial applications can see what is happening in industrial print.
Showcase exhibits will be sourced from across the exhibition community and supporting information will link each displayed item to the supplying exhibitor, to enable visitors to see more items of particular interest.
The showcase will be supported with ESMA-hosted 'lunch and learn' sessions, offering visitors the chance to hear from opinion leaders in the field of industrial printing.
So far, 40 per cent of respondents to FESPA's ongoing global Print Census report that they are currently producing industrial applications.
These applications include décor and laminates; 18 per cent, automotive 7 per cent, 3D printing 5 per cent, electronics and glass both; 3 per cent, biomedical 4 per cent and ceramics 2 per cent.
All these exhibitors are expecting to be producing even more of these over the next two years.
FESPA divisional director Roz McGuinness said, "FESPA's audience is deeply rooted in screen print, which has traditionally been the default process for industrial print applications.”
“We expect the next few years to be revolutionary in terms of the progress of industrial print, and the adoption of digital processes alongside screen print to enable smaller volumes and higher customisation,” he added.
FESPA is the global event for all areas of speciality print, and many of its exhibitors will be using FESPA 2015 as a launch pad for innovations for industrial applications.
However, FESPA acknowledges that there are many visitors who will welcome the chance to explore these opportunities without being ready to consider specific products.
It hopes that the Industrial Showcase will inspire visitors and give them confidence to develop their business ideas in this direction.
CEO of ESMA, Peter Buttiens said, "Industrial printing covers an array of applications including automotive, ceramics, glass, textiles, printed electronics, decorative surfaces and packaging.”
“Wherever we look in our everyday lives, we find examples of industrial print, or even integrated within products that have no visible link with 'print', such as kitchen utensils and biomedical devices,” he too added.
"Developments in output technology, media and inks are driving innovation, while consumer trends such as exponential uptake of electronic devices, are fuelling growth,” Buttiens observed.
