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Once again previewing for Oktoberfest, Drinktec returned to the dynamic city of Munich from 15-19 September, drawing 58,281 visitors from 164 countries to explore a host of drink and liquid food solutions and technologies.

From filling and packaging equipment to integrating AI and innovative ingredients, this year’s Drinktec was a hub of state-of-the art technology, with over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing solutions covering the entire value chain of beverage production, with particular focus on optimisation, modernisation and digitalisation. Sustainability dominated conversations, with a range of innovations aimed at promoting the circular economy and encouraging recyclability.

Reducing carbon footprints

For many exhibitors, sustainability meant reducing energy consumption and minimising waste. Breweries were offered systems to cut wastewater, while compact machines promised to reduce downtime as well as output. Lightweighting and smaller packaging formats stood out as another major theme, helping to cut material use and meet evolving regulations worldwide.

Among the highlights was a KHS and Husky collaboration introducing a smaller PET bottle format for soft drinks. This, along with companies like Gentlebrands, which were debuting PET bottles designed to look like glass for a more premium edge, shows how packaging has changed over the last few years.

GEA highlighted its commitment to sustainability with carbon-neutral brewing solutions that preserved traditional practices. The modernisation of brewing was another huge talking point at this year’s event, with many brewers tackling the trend of sober curious consumers by creating low and no alcohol options, while still holding the flavour and texture that we all know and love.

Diversification of brewing technology was evident throughout the halls, spanning hop production to colour and flavour innovation. Among the new solutions, Negardo stood out – a mushroom-based ingredient helping craft brewers expand no/low ranges while adding natural and health-focused appeal.

Speaking of brewing, one of the most exciting innovations was functional alcohol. It’s increasingly clear that consumers want drinks that do more than just taste good, and this lifestyle trend has moved from soft drinks into the alcohol sector. ADM, for instance, wowed the FoodBev team with several new ingredient innovations for the brewery market, many already successful in the US.

Technology solutions

At this year’s event, modernisation was a big theme, with a strong focus on AI integration in production lines to improve quality control and customisation. Many companies also offered completely custom outfits, tailored to the size, shape and scale of their customers’ facilities.

Sustainability played a major role here, too. BMT introduced virtual testing and 3D printing to cut R&D waste, while Regal Rexnord showcased services to reduce plastic and metal use with longer-lasting, low-maintenance parts. Heuft focused on AI integration, presenting a fully modular labeller that saved space and minimised downtime. Space efficiency was also key for Krones, which unveiled solutions designed to take up less room without reducing output.

During the event, we visited AF Compressors, which unveiled its new AFZ Dryer. With a honeycomb structure, it delivers up to 770 m³/h at 40 bar, a pressure dew point from -20°C to 0°C, and operates without refrigeration gas. AF Compressors marketing manager Pascal Heyden highlighted it as another example of sustainability in action, noting its low cost and energy consumption.

One surprise for visitors was the arrival of an army of imperial Stormtroopers who were guarding Sidel’s stand as part of a promotion for the new EvoBlow Laser, a revolutionary new way to shape bottles and other plastic beverage packaging.

Pretty packaging

In terms of packaging solutions, many stands focused on interactivity, offering a more engaging drinking occasion. One company that caught the team’s eye was Destilla. Alongside its low/no functional beverages – including a reworked alcohol-free Old Fashioned – the company showed how packaging can elevate the experience: on selected cans, consumers could scan a QR code to hear music tailored to the flavours, making every sip feel like an experience.

There was plenty to see in packaging, with Ball Packaging displaying a wall of artwork made entirely from cans, while Crown showcased aluminium printing options ranging from glow-in-the-dark designs to cans that change colour at optimal drinking temperature.

New this year, the Liquidrome offered an interactive space for networking, panels and keynote sessions.

Richard Clemens, managing director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, Drinktec’s conceptual partner, said: “The Liquidrome, with its programme of presentations and panel discussions, proved to be the perfect platform for expert exchange. It was extremely well attended and undoubtedly a highlight of this year’s event.”

The Liquidrome also hosted this year’s World Beverage Innovation Awards, presented by FoodBev’s Daniel Blunt.

Recognising Innovation

The 22nd World Beverage Innovation Awards took place on Tuesday 16 September, rounding off a day of networking and speaker events. Well attended by companies from around the world, trophies were awarded across categories from best sparkling drink to best technology innovation, followed by drinks and traditional German pretzels.

With more than 20 categories recognising beverage innovators, you can see the winners, finalists and commended products here. Congratulations to all the winners, and don’t forget to enter for next year’s awards.

Markus Kosak, executive director of Drinktec, highlighted. “This year’s Drinktec has once again impressively demonstrated that Munich provides the perfect platform for the global beverage and liquid food industry. The exhibitor and visitor numbers underscore the importance of high-level exchanges and deep insights into technology and innovation.”

Over the course of five days, the FoodBev Media team had the pleasure of meeting with some of the industry’s finest. We’d like to say thank you to everyone who invited us to their booths to demonstrate some of their latest innovations, including: GEA, Bericap, ADM, GNT Exberry, BMT, Gentlebrands, Regal Rexnord, Heuft, Krones, KHS, Sidel, Ball Packaging, Crown and many more.

We’d also like to thank everyone who visited our stand in Hall C, along with our standmates, Coccola and the Good Cup.

We look forward to the next Drinktec, scheduled for September 2028.

Top image: © Drinktec All other images: © FoodBev Media