drinktec 2028 opens exhibitor registration with an enhanced portfolio

Exhibitor registration for drinktec 2028 is now open. From 11 to 15 September 2028, the international beverage and liquid food industry will gather in Munich. Since 1951, drinktec has provided a platform for 
innovation and international industry dialogue. Following the successful 2025 edition, which welcomed trade visitors from 164 countries, the world's leading trade fair is further developing its portfolio, with additional focus areas including raw materials and formulations, liquid food, quality assurance and IT security.

Under its new claim, “Fluent in Innovation.”, drinktec 2028 will bring together 
manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers from around the world in Munich. The claim reflects the shared identity of the international drinktec community, which spans different companies, markets and disciplines and is united by a commitment not merely to observe innovation, but to actively shape and drive it forward. Innovation is their common language – and at drinktec, they speak it fluently. 

“drinktec connects markets, people and innovations from every continent across the beverage and liquid food industry. As the Conceptual Sponsor, we look forward to working with YONTEX and the exhibiting industry to prepare the next edition and once again provide the sector with its world leading platform for innovation, dialogue and business opportunities in 2028,” says Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, Managing Director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association. 

The leading companies and major players in the international beverage and liquid food industry are once again expected to attend. Dynamic markets are providing additional momentum for drinktec 2028. According to Statista Market Insights, global revenue from non-alcoholic beverages alone is forecast to rise from approximately 1.32 trillion euros in 2026 to around 1.52 trillion euros in 2030 – an increase of 15 per cent. Revenue from alcoholic beverages is also projected to grow through to 2030. At the same time, related liquid food markets continue to develop.

“The industry has every reason to look to the future with confidence. Many markets are developing positively,” says Markus Kosak, Executive Director of drinktec. “What particularly interests us is what this means for technology. The next generation of production systems must be capable of manufacturing products that are not even part of today's product portfolios. These are precisely the technologies we want to see at drinktec in 2028.”

Greater focus on raw materials and formulations 

Raw materials, additives and functional ingredients for the development of new beverages will play a more prominent role in future. The portfolio ranges from vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre to proteins, amino acids, prebiotics and probiotics. Other examples include algae, soya and fruit and vegetable extracts. In this way, drinktec will place greater emphasis on beverage product development and formulation.

“This reflects the trends that beverage manufacturers around the world are 
responding to by developing new products tailored to consumers' changing lifestyles and needs,” says Kosak. He adds that the industry's innovative strength remains undiminished. New beverage concepts and value 
propositions offer manufacturers a wide range of opportunities to develop their product portfolios further. drinktec is responding to these developments by expanding its portfolio beyond the established areas of process, filling and packaging technology.

More space for liquid food 

The scope of the liquid food segment is also broadening. Alongside beverages and liquid dairy products, technologies for other liquid and pasty foods are receiving greater attention, including edible oils, vinegar, sauces 
and condiments. The portfolio covers individual processing stages as well as 
complete production plants. This segment, which is already represented at drinktec, will therefore receive greater emphasis and be identified separately in the hall layout. 

“drinktec is the place to be for beverages and liquid food – that much is clear. Particularly in the liquid food segment, we offer visitors a comprehensive overview of the entire value chain. We want to highlight this even more 
strongly,” emphasises Kosak. Forecasts from Statista Market Insights also illustrate the economic potential of these markets. Global revenue from oils and fats alone is projected to increase from approximately 217 billion euros in 2026 to almost 278 billion euros in 2030. 

Greater focus on production and quality assurance 

drinktec is also placing greater emphasis on specific areas of production technology. The trade fair is expanding its laboratory technology and product analysis segments, responding to growing demand for precise quality control, reliable analysis and increasingly data-driven production. The 
portfolio includes inline systems and sample preparation, laboratory equipment, automation, software solutions and documentation systems. Further focus areas include simulation and digital twins, AI-based system solutions and other IT applications, as well as cybersecurity solutions for 
production facilities. 

The recovery and utilisation of residual materials are also receiving increasing attention. Materials previously regarded primarily as by-products of the production process can now be used in a variety of ways. Technologies for solids recovery and energy recovery from side streams turn residual 
materials into valuable resources and create new opportunities to improve efficiency across the entire value chain.

Proven twelve-hall layout returns

 In 2028, drinktec will return to the hall layout valued by exhibitors and visitors alike. Twelve halls in the A and B sections of the Trade Fair Center Messe München will once again provide the setting for the world's leading trade fair. Visitors will have direct access to the exhibition via the East and West Entrances. “At a world-leading trade fair covering such a broad range of products and technologies, clear orientation is essential. That is why we group related technologies together and create straightforward routes through the exhibition. This brings supply and demand together in a targeted way at drinktec,” says Kosak. 

Liquidrome, the hub for knowledge exchange, will also return. Here, the exhibition team will present forward-looking keynotes, visionary start-ups and key topics shaping the future of the international beverage and liquid food industry. Over five days, trade visitors can look forward to fresh insights, new perspectives and focused deep-dive sessions. 

Exhibitors can register for drinktec 2028 now at: https://www.drinktec.com/en-US/exhibit