{"id":116227,"date":"2026-05-13T17:26:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?post_type=vimeo-video&p=116227"},"modified":"2026-05-13T19:32:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:32:40","slug":"positive-balance-sheet-despite-geopolitical-challenges-thomas-dohse-messe-duesseldorf-interpack-2026","status":"publish","type":"vimeo-video","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/vimeo-video\/positive-bilanz-trotz-geopolitischer-herausforderungen-thomas-dohse-messe-duesseldorf-interpack-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Positive Balance Sheet Despite Geopolitical Challenges: Thomas Dohse, Messe D\u00fcsseldorf | interpack 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

After seven intensive days at the trade fair, Thomas Dohse, Director of interpack, draws a thoroughly positive conclusion from the world's largest trade fair for packaging and packaging machinery. Despite initial concerns about geopolitical tensions, the event proved to be a great success.<\/p>\n

International appeal confirmed<\/h3>\n

\u201eWe are greatly relieved. It was a top trade fair,\u201c Dohse summarises in an interview with the packaging journal. Visitors from over 160 countries came to D\u00fcsseldorf \u2013 proof of the interpack's continuing international significance. \u201eI was surprised that we weren't affected that much by the geopolitical challenges,\u201c explains the trade fair director.<\/p>\n

The theme of innovative materials, in particular, came into focus. \u201eThis primarily has a very strong impact on the materials side too,\u201c said Dohse, referring to the PPWR regulation. Personal exchange proved to be crucial: \u201eYou have to reassure yourselves, you have to look each other in the eye, you have to talk to each other.\u201c<\/p>

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Packaging as a systemically relevant sector<\/h3>\n

The pandemic has permanently changed the image of the packaging industry. \u201eBefore COVID, people said, oh, there's too much packaging. But after COVID, everyone understood how important packaging is for product protection, for transport, for hygiene,\u201c explains Dohse.<\/p>\n

Despite a difficult economic climate, the industry continues to show growth rates, driven by global population and consumption growth. As a result, packaging is no longer positioned as a cost factor or an environmental burden, but as an infrastructure for global supply \u2013 a change in image that also shaped the discussions in D\u00fcsseldorf.<\/p>