Explore why Drinktec remains the ultimate destination for global leaders in beverage and liquid food innovation, and how Secomak fits into the picture.
1. Introduction: Where Innovation Meets the Beverage Industry
Every four years, the global beverage and liquid food industry converges at Drinktec, held at Messe München in Munich, Germany. With over 70,000 attendees from more than 170 countries, this event is widely regarded as the world’s most influential trade fair for beverage and liquid food technology.
Drinktec isn’t only about showcasing equipment; it’s a launchpad for innovation, where processing, packaging, automation, and marketing intersect. From startups disrupting packaging formats to global brands unveiling the next generation of smart bottling lines, this is where the future of food and drink manufacturing is shaped.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Drinktec:
- What makes it the industry’s flagship event
- Who attends, and why it matters
- Key exhibitor categories and what to expect
- Why Secomak’s technology, especially in drying machines, is part of the solution mix
- And what you can look forward to at Drinktec 2025
If you’re in beverage production, packaging innovation, or liquid food processing, this is one event that should be on your radar.
2. What Is Drinktec? A Global Stage for Beverage & Liquid Food Innovation
First held in 1951 and organised by Messe München, Drinktec has grown into the most prestigious event in the beverage and liquid food processing calendar. It’s where the entire value chain, from ingredients to intelligent packaging, comes together under one roof.
Held every four years in Munich, the event attracts a highly specialised audience of engineers, production managers, R&D professionals, buyers, and decision-makers. Refining a bottling line, sourcing sustainable packaging, or integrating smart factory solutions, Drinktec is the global platform to discover, compare, and invest in new technology.
Key Focus Areas of Drinktec
Drinktec covers a broad scope of solutions tailored to the changing needs of the industry:
- Processing & Filling Machinery – From mixers and pasteurisers to high-speed bottling lines
- Packaging Technologies – Including flexible pouch systems, shrink-sleeve labelling, and carton forming
- Ingredients & Additives – Showcasing flavours, colourants, preservatives, concentrates, and nutrient fortifiers
- Smart Factory & Automation – Featuring robotics, line control systems, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven inspection
- Marketing & Labelling – With innovations in digital printing, traceability, and sustainable branding solutions
Who Attends Drinktec?
Drinktec attracts a global audience with:
- Over 70,000 visitors from 170+ countries
- Thousands of companies, ranging from multinational brands to disruptive start-ups
- Delegations from sectors including beer, soft drinks, juice, dairy, wine, spirits, and functional foods
Secomak’s Role at Drinktec
As the demand for energy-efficient, high-speed, post-fill drying solutions grows, Secomak’s market leading washing and drying systems designed to address customers’ pain points play a critical role in supporting clean and efficient production environments.
Drying retorted pouches, PET bottles, or aluminium cans, systems like the DryGuide Essential offer a reliable way to ensure surfaces are label- and code-ready immediately after sterilisation or washing.
3. Who Exhibits at Drinktec? A Cross-Section of Global Industry Leaders
Drinktec brings together the most comprehensive mix of suppliers, manufacturers, and innovators from across the beverage and liquid food ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for turnkey production lines or pioneering ingredient technologies, the exhibition floor reflects the full supply chain, and then some.
Here’s a breakdown of the major exhibitor categories and what they bring to the table:
1. Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers
At the core of Drinktec are engineering
solutions that drive productivity, safety, and innovation.
Exhibitors include specialists in:
- Filling, sealing, and capping machines
- Labelling systems and shrink-sleeve technology
- Drying machinery, such as Secomak’s market leading, energy-efficient solutions
- Robotics for palletising, depalletising, and pick-and-place applications
- End-of-line solutions for high-volume packaging environments
Secomak is proud to showcase it
s high-performance industrial drying machines for food and drink, supporting post-fill hygiene and speed on modern production lines.
2. Ingredient & Raw Material Suppliers
Drinktec is also home to leading suppliers of:
- Natural flavours and colourants
- Nutritional additives and concentrates
- Functional ingredients for energy drinks, dairy alternatives, and fortified beverages
- Processing aids and stabilisers
These exhibitors enable innovation in taste, health claims, and shelf life.
3. Packaging & Labelling Providers
With sustainability and shelf appeal becoming ever more important, this group focuses on:
- Recyclable and biodegradable packaging
- Flexible pouches and DOY packs
- Smart labelling technologies with QR, NFC, or RFID integration
- Printing and digital branding systems
4. IT & Digital Process Solutions
Smart factories start here. These exhibitors provide:
- AI-driven quality control systems
- Real-time data and traceability software
- IoT-enabled line monitoring and predictive maintenance tools
- Workflow optimisation platforms for global supply chains
5. Startups & Disruptive Innovators
The innovation corner of Drinktec includes:
- Early-stage companies pioneering low-carbon production
- New dispensing technologies
- Consumer-centric smart packaging formats
- Modular plant equipment for smaller, agile facilities
The diverse range of exhibitors makes Drinktec a must-attend event for anyone upgrading a factory, sourcing new packaging, or rethinking a product line.
4. What Makes Drinktec Unique? Global Scale, Groundbreaking Innovation, and Industry Connection
Drinktec isn’t just another trade show; it’s a global innovation hub where the beverage and liquid food sectors set their direction for the future. From unveiling cutting-edge bottling technology to hosting strategic discussions on sustainability and digitisation, Drinktec delivers far more than product showcases.
Here’s what sets Drinktec apart:
Unmatched International Scope
- Attracting professionals from over 170 countries, Drinktec offers one of the most diverse, high-quality audiences in any B2B manufacturing event.
- Visitors range from senior engineers and plant managers to innovation leads and procurement teams from global beverage brands.
This international profile ensures that exhibitors gain not only visibility but also global market reach.
Technology Launchpad
Many of the industry’s biggest announcements happen right here. Leading suppliers regularly choose Drinktec to:
- Launch new product lines
- Unveil prototypes or upgrades to high-speed filling, packaging, or drying systems
- Demonstrate AI-driven innovations for quality control, energy monitoring, and predictive maintenance
If you’re aiming to stay ahead of the curve, Drinktec is the place to track emerging trends and technology first-hand.
Comprehensive Coverage of the Production Lifecycle
Unlike smaller, niche expos, Drinktec covers the entire beverage lifecycle:
- Ingredient sourcing
- Mixing and processing
- Filling, packaging, and capping
- Post-fill drying and coding
- Warehouse automation and logistics
- Consumer experience and sustainability
This holistic approach makes it
invaluable for cross-functional teams, including packaging engineers, as well as leaders from R&D, marketing, operations, and quality assurance.
Executive-Level Networking and Learning
Drinktec provides world-class educational opportunities, including:
- Executive roundtables on industry challenges and market dynamics
- Innovation stages with live tech demos and product walkthroughs
- Future-focused talks on carbon reduction, digital transformation, and circular packaging
It’s more than a trade show — it’s a forum for strategic conversation and long-term planning.
5. Why Should You Attend or Exhibit at Drinktec? Opportunities for Every Role in the Beverage Supply Chain
Whether you’re a global manufacturer, a tech innovator, or a procurement specialist, Drinktec offers real commercial value. Beyond the displays and demos, this is where partnerships are built, technologies are benchmarked, and real-world decisions are made.
Here’s why thousands of busines
ses and professionals make the trip to Munich:
For Buyers: First-Hand Access to Global Innovation
- See and compare technologies side by side, from filling machines and bottling lines to advanced drying systems like Secomak’s DryGuide Essential.
- Assess solutions in live demonstrations before making capital investment decisions
- Connect directly with manufacturers and distributors. No middlemen, no guesswork
- Benchmark supplier performance, sustainability credentials, and maintenance requirements
Drinktec saves time and cost in the long run by centralising your research and supplier engagement.
For Exhibitors & Equipment Manufacturers: Showcase to a Targeted Audience
- Launch new products and collect real-time feedback
- Generate highly qualified leads from international buyers and engineers
- Forge new distribution partnerships across Europe, Asia, and the Americas
- Position your brand as a category leader by participating in technical presentations, live demos, or panel discussions
For brands like Secomak, Drinktec offers more than visibility. It’s a chance to engage directly with engineers and decision-makers driving major production changes.
For Startups & Innovators: Accelerate Market Entry
- Meet venture capitalists, innovation teams, and supply chain leaders in one place
- Gain visibility among key players in beverage manufacturing, packaging, and retail
- Validate new concepts and refine your go-to-market strategy based on direct feedback
If you’re introducing sustainable packaging, smart dispensers, or clean-in-place automation, there’s no better testing ground than Drinktec.
6. Secomak at Drinktec: Engineering Better Drying for Beverage & Liquid Food Production
As a long-standing innovator in drying technology, Secomak is proud to return to Drinktec, showcasing how our solutions support cleaner, faster, and more efficient beverage packaging operations.
What We’re Showcasing
At Drinktec, Secomak will be showcasing the latest in high-performance post-fill drying, including:
- The DryGuide Essential: A compact, energy-efficient drying machine designed for high-speed lines — ideal for pouches, bottles, and cans
- Non-contact drying systems: Remove surface moisture while protecting sensitive labels and films
- Modular drying units: Built to integrate seamlessly into tight production spaces or retrofit existing lines
- A working conveyor loop: Demonstrating our latest innovations in drying performance and hygiene within a live production-style setup
📍 Find us in Hall B4, Stand 530 — shown on the floorplan below.
Follow our LinkedIn Page for behind-the-scenes updates, product highlights, and videos live from the show.
These solutions are trusted across beverage categories, including ready-to-drink juices, plant-based milks, sauces and soft drinks, and meet the hygiene standards of food and pharmaceutical production.
Our experts will also be on hand to offer:
- Line audits and energy-saving assessments
- Support with retrofitting or replacing legacy equipment
- Guidance on achieving consistent drying for downstream labelling and coding
Our Legacy at Drinktec
Secomak has attended multiple Drinktec cycles, each time connecting with industry professionals seeking reliability, sustainability, and long-term value. Previous shows have led to:
- Global supply agreements
- OEM integrations
- Direct end-user installations in beverage plants across Europe
Whether you’re scaling up production or modernising an existing line, we’re here to support your drying requirements, backed by 90+ years of engineering experience.
Stay Connected
Follow Secomak on LinkedIn for:
- Stand updates and build previews
- Live videos from the exhibition floor
- Technical insights and customer stories from Drinktec 2025
Want to schedule a face-to-face consultation or product demo? Contact Secomak now, and we’ll reserve time at the show for you.
7. Conclusion: Why Drinktec Should Be on Every Beverage Manufacturer’s Radar
In an industry defined by fast-moving innovation and rising consumer expectations, Drinktec stands out as the premier event where technology meets transformation.
From processing and packaging to automation and ingredient science, the show gives beverage and liquid food professionals a unique opportunity to:
- Explore new solutions for efficiency and sustainability
- Connect with suppliers and innovators from across the globe
- Benchmark technologies that can future-proof their production lines
- Experience industry-first launches from leaders like Secomak
For manufacturers, bottlers, R&D teams, and plant engineers, this is not just a trade show. It’s where meaningful change starts.
What’s Next?
Register interest for Drinktec to stay informed and plan your visit
Follow Secomak on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes updates and show-day insights
Contact Secomak to schedule a one-on-one discussion or demo at the exhibition
We’ll see you in Munich.
