If you’re in the beverage business—whether you're bottling kombucha, scaling a plant-based milk startup, or running operations at a multinational soft drink brand—there’s one place you need to be: Drinktec.
Held every four years in Munich, Drinktec is widely regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry. But to call it a ‘trade fair’ almost undersells it. It’s where the behind-the-scenes magic happens: the machinery, the technology, the packaging innovations, and the sustainability breakthroughs that shape what ends up on shelves around the world.
Let’s take a look at why Drinktec is such a big deal—and what makes it so much more than just another industry expo.
What Makes Drinktec Unique?
While most food and beverage expos highlight product launches or culinary trends, Drinktec zooms in on how beverages are made, packaged, and distributed at scale. The event spans everything from brewing systems and bottling lines to smart manufacturing and water-saving technology.
In its last edition, over 1,700 exhibitors from more than 80 countries took part, with nearly 80,000 visitors walking the halls. But it’s not just the numbers—it’s the diversity of industries and attendees that makes it special. Think: beer, juice, coffee, dairy, spirits, soft drinks, energy drinks, and even liquid foods like soups and sauces—all under one roof.
Automation And AI Are Changing Everything
One of the most noticeable shifts in recent years is the push toward automation and smart manufacturing. With rising costs, labor shortages, and increasing demand for flexibility, beverage producers are leaning into Industry 4.0 technologies.
At Drinktec, we saw AI-driven systems that can detect product defects in real-time, bottling machines that automatically adjust for different container sizes, and platforms that use predictive analytics to prevent equipment failures.
This isn’t pie-in-the-sky tech—it’s operational now. Big players like Siemens, Krones, and Tetra Pak are rolling out these solutions, helping manufacturers become faster, leaner, and more resilient.
Sustainable Packaging Is Here - And Growing Fast
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword. It’s a business requirement. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the packaging innovations on display at Drinktec.
From plant-based plastics and paper bottles to lightweight glass and reusable container systems, exhibitors are tackling the environmental impact of packaging head-on. Some companies are even developing digital watermarking to make recycling more efficient and accurate.
What's impressive is how Drinktec goes beyond flashy concepts—exhibitors are expected to show practical, scalable solutions that can be integrated into existing operations without massive overhauls.
Health-Forward Beverages: What’s Behind The Buzz
Consumers today are all about functional beverages—drinks that do more than just quench thirst. Think vitamin-enhanced water, nootropic tonics, collagen-infused coffee, and adaptogenic teas.
At Drinktec, the focus shifts from flavor to formulation and production. That means stabilizing natural ingredients without preservatives, ensuring shelf life for products with added proteins or probiotics, and developing new cold-fill or aseptic processing techniques that preserve nutritional value.
We also saw an increased emphasis on clean-label compliance and regulatory transparency—as health claims become more scrutinized, manufacturers need tech that supports traceability and accountability.
Sustainability Goes Beyond The Bottle
It’s not just packaging that’s getting greener. Drinktec exhibitors showcased innovations across the entire production cycle—from water reuse systems and energy recovery in thermal processing, to carbon capture in fermentation.
There’s a growing push for closed-loop systems that not only minimize waste but also create new value streams from byproducts. Breweries recovering CO₂ and reusing process water? That’s not the future—it’s happening now.
The expo also dedicates space to ESG reporting tools, helping businesses measure and communicate their environmental impact more effectively.
Startups Steal The Spotlight Too
While giants like GEA and Alfa Laval dominate some corners of the show, Drinktec also makes room for startups and emerging brands. The Innovation Flow Lounge is where smaller players introduce ideas that challenge the status quo.
Whether it’s personalized beverage kiosks, ultra-local brewing systems, or new ingredient tech, these startups bring energy and edge to an otherwise highly technical show.
It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t only top-down—it often starts at the fringe and works its way in.
Why Should Beverage Brands Attend?
The future of beverages isn’t just about what’s trendy. It’s about how we produce, package, and deliver those beverages to a world that’s more demanding, health-conscious, and environmentally aware than ever.
Drinktec is where that future is being built.
If you're part of the industry, whether as a product developer, operations lead, sustainability officer, or entrepreneur, attending Drinktec isn’t just a networking opportunity—it’s a strategic decision.
You’ll leave with more than just a bag full of brochures. You’ll walk away with ideas, contacts, and insights that could shape your business for years to come.
