It could work!!!

Editorial by Stefano Lavorini

«Ah, trade fairs… Those marvellous occasions for spending whole days in suffocating spaces, surrounded by foreigners desperately trying to sell something. What joy! ».

This was the uncharitable way the young intern called IS – which stands for Intelligent Soul – who accompanied me in my trip to Düsseldorf, attempted to bluntly dismiss the recent edition of interpack, which practically ended yesterday in an atmosphere of general optimism and which, in my opinion, was generally successful in combining technological innovations with a long-term vision of sustainability.

«I don’t want to make an issue of it – our draconian companion murmured – but the value of a trade fair lies in the possibility of socialising with people that you have never met before and who, to be honest, you don’t know if you will ever meet again. In the end, everybody exchanges business cards, shakes hands and puts a smile on their face while trying to sell their products to anyone willing to listen to them for a few minutes».

But that’s not how it is! We could say that at the German trade fair there was practically everyone who counts in the world of packaging, all sharing the same joy and satisfaction of meeting each other again in person, and in this way, getting back to focusing on the real needs of people in the future.

«In that case - adds IS, with some truth – shall we gloss over the joy of walking for kilometres between stands, zigzagging between people, repeating to exhaustion the same routes from one part of the fair to the other, navigating through labyrinths of materials and machines, packages and robots? ».

But how could it be otherwise, I say, considering the 2,807 exhibitors and the roughly 143,000 visitators, two thirds of whom come from 155 countries all over the world. This is precisely the attraction. How can you not be fascinated and not want to experience and make the most of the “monster” dimensions of interpack?

«Ok, - the by now somewhat heated intern presses – let’s say then, that the trade fair also offers the marvellous opportunity to listen to long-winded dissertations on subjects whose meaning sometimes escapes mere mortals… endless presentations on the benefits of “polystyrene polymer cartonplast” or on the latest benefits of the packaging of “cheese-flavoured sweets”. What a thrill! »

To be honest, there really is a little bit of everything… We veterans, however, have been able to embrace and appreciate the interesting things: first of all, the numerous voices of companies in the sector which have brought to the trade fair their own idea of product and business innovation. And, why not, among other things, also the contribution of Valentino Valentini, vice-minister of the Ministry for Business and Made in Italy who, during the presentation of Ipack-Ima 2025, managed to give the impression that Italy could be a normal country, with politics and industry able to work effectively together.

«And then… there’s finally the joy of going back home, with your bags full of brochures, pens and gadgets which will soon be forgotten, and put on your pyjamas, far away from all this chaos» remarks IS, wanting to have the last word and a little annoyed.

To us, however, something else remains very clear: the satisfaction of continuing to update and provide information, in a constant dialogue with the market thanks to the special services, whether in the magazine and on the website, or in the live documents, videoclips and posts on the social network, which we have developed and will continue to dedicate to this great event.

As Gene Wilder exclaims in the film Frankenstein Junior, the masterpiece directed by Brooks in 1974, when he manages to bring his perfect creature to life: IT COULD WORK!!!”.

Indeed, it all needs to be done again because, in fact, interpack remains one of those experiences that affects us and makes us think, maybe in a confused way, that what happens around us is the result of fate: that fate that allows the present to put down roots into the future, that creates a bond between what already exists now, what is planned for the future, and the tenacity to make it happen.