Attendees at drinktec 2013, Sept. 16-20, Munich, will have the chance to learn about innovative solutions affecting the beverage market.

Earlier this year, the show’s organizer, Messe München GmbH, announced the inaugural “Innovation Flow Lounge,” a networking platform for discussing ideas and trends in beverage marketing. The new networking platform aims to bring marketing experts and technology specialists together and provide marketing themes within a forum. Various formats for discussion and action are being organized to promote communication and exchange. On each of the four days of the show, there will be a different theme at the Innovation Flow Lounge: Monday will focus on beer; Tuesday will highlight point of sale; Wednesday will address packaging; and Thursday will discuss how to successfully launch a product into the marketplace.

In addition, the show’s drinktec Forum will address marketing trends as well as technology innovations in the beverage market. Topics and themes will vary each day and will include beer, packaging, nutrition, hygiene, product quality, packaging and marketing, and milk and liquid food.

Drinktec 2013 also will showcase the latest results of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle producers’ research and development efforts with a focus on optimizing strength, faster processing, heat tolerance and cleanliness.

“As one of the leading suppliers of production systems for the manufacture of PET preforms and closures, we at Netstal and KraussMaffei see drinktec as the most important trade show in terms of our customers in the beverage industry,” said Markus DalPian, head of business units for PET, CAP and PAC at Netstal-Maschinen AG, Switzerland, in a statement.

Visitors also can learn about new ideas and solutions in coatings to help exclude any impairment to taste and provide a long shelf life, the association says.

Additional trends to be addressed at drinktec 2013 include the future for PET recycling, the latest trends in bioplastics and much more.

This year’s show also features the Special Area New Beverage Concepts in Hall B1, which is an interactive marketplace where manufacturing experts will present and explain new sweetening, coloration and aroma strategies. Integrated into this platform is a catering area where innovative drinks can be tested at the show. The Special Area is located in the same section as raw materials, additives and agents.

Drinktec also will honor the world’s best beer experts with the World Championships for Beer Sommeliers, hosted by the Doemens Akademie at the exhibition center. The show also will present the European Beer Star awards to the top beers with origins in Europe. The actual beer tasting takes place ahead of drinktec on Aug. 22 and 23 at the Doemens Akademie in Gräfelfing, near Munich. Hosted by the Private Brauereien Bayern e.V., this is the 10th European Beer Star awards but the first time they will be presented at drinktec. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, visitors to drinktec can sample the gold-medal-winning beers in each category in Hall B1 and vote for the “consumers’ favorite.”

Also appealing to beer aficionados, drinktec will host two areas — Brewers Meeting Point and the Craft Brewers Lounge — for communication, exchange, contacts, and for tasting beers. Brewers Meeting Point in Hall B1, hosted in cooperation with the Bayerischer Brauerbund, will allow visitors to take part in exclusive sampling sessions. The Craft Brewers Lounge in Hall A5 will allow for European brewers to engage in discussions with members of the U.S. Brewers Association.

What to see at Drinktec

P.E. Labellers

Via Europa 25 46047 Porto Mantovano (MN), Italy

Website: pelabellers.com

Drinktec Booth No. 315, Hall A5

From Sept. 16 to 20, the Munich Trade Fair Centre will host the 2013 edition of drinktec. Because this is a worldwide event for which there are many expectations, P.E. Labellers decided to invest in this opportunity. It will participate with a stand of almost 300 square meters. Offering a virtually complete range of its labelers for the beverage industry, P.E. Labellers will present its clients with three major innovations: labelers for the total safety of operators due to patented safety systems able to guarantee zero workplace accidents; modular labelers, which are designed for present and future use and are ready for a number of possible future transformations and implementations; and the ability to turn a hot glue labeler into a pressure-sensitive one with its Adhesleeve technology. In addition, roll-fed labeling machines in the rotary (Rollmatic) and linear (Roll-Line) versions will be on display. The entire sales force will be present at the stand to greet customers and be at their complete disposal to provide information about its labeling technologies.

Klüber Lubrication

Gmunderstrasse 50, 81379 Munich

Website: klueber.com

Drinktec Booth No. 228, Hall A4

At drinktec 2013, the tribology experts from Klüber Lubrication will place an emphasis on the comprehensive range of services at the trade show. Under the KlüberEfficiencySupport umbrella, Klüber offers a range of combinable services and consulting, which not only contribute to increased food safety but also reduce wear and increase production efficiency. Among the range of high-quality, H1-registered specialty lubricants, which Klüber offers, are several products that have proven their performance for the beverage industry in recent years. The company also will feature the Klübersynth NH1 4-68 spray foam, which combines the advantages of an oil and a foam. Here, the lubrication characteristics of a synthetic oil provide quality adhesion and other application advantages of a foam. Klüber also has some “intelligent packs” to simplify precise lubricant metering in installations and components. The automated metering system Klübermatic ensures reliable and precise lubrication of friction points at variable lubrication intervals to avoid over lubrication.

Ferrum AG, Geschäftsbereich Conserventechnik

CH-5503 Schafisheim, Switzerland

Website: ferrum.ch

Drinktec Booth No. 339, Hall A2

 Ferrum is optimizing its product portfolio to reduce lead time and allow for easier integration into whole production lines. The company will showcase its new generation of can seamers.