Munich Drinktec 2028: the beverage and liquid-food production chain

11–15 September 2028
Trade Fair Center Messe München, Munich, Germany

drinktec is an international trade fair for the beverage and liquid-food industry. It brings together technology suppliers and users across ingredients, process technology, cleaning, filling, packaging, automation, analytics and logistics. The 2028 edition is scheduled across 12 exhibition halls. For visitors, the practical value is the chance to examine solutions from several stages of production in one place, compare their fit and discuss technical requirements with suppliers.

The organiser’s current information positions drinktec as a four-yearly industry meeting, although the 2028 edition follows the 2025 event. Current official pages confirm the 2028 dates and venue; opening hours and visitor registration information were not verified in the pages reviewed.

Why Munich Drinktec matters

See the production chain together

Beverage and liquid-food production depends on connected decisions: ingredients and formulations affect processing; processing choices shape filling and packaging requirements; automation, inspection and logistics influence plant operations. drinktec’s published profile spans these stages, helping manufacturers compare adjacent parts of the chain rather than considering each purchase in isolation.

Compare equipment against an application

The official visitor information describes machines and production lines demonstrated live. Engineers and plant managers can frame questions about throughput, changeovers, cleaning, controls, integration and service. Demonstrations do not replace a plant trial or technical evaluation, but they can help identify suppliers for deeper discussion.

Explore ingredients and product concepts

Raw materials and ingredients are part of the exhibition profile alongside processing and packaging. Formulation teams can consider how ingredients, flavours, colours, sweetening approaches and packaging formats relate to a product brief. Specific 2028 exhibitors and launches should be checked when the organiser publishes them.

Use the scale as a planning aid

In 2025, the organiser reported 1,107 exhibitors. This is a previous-edition figure, not a forecast for 2028. Visitors should set priorities before arrival: a focused shortlist and clear technical questions are more useful than attempting to see every stand.

Who should visit Munich Drinktec?

Beverage and liquid-food manufacturers

Useful if you produce beer, soft drinks, water, juice, dairy-based beverages, wine, spirits or other liquid foods. Identify the production constraint or product change behind your visit, then compare relevant process, filling and packaging options. Bring product formats, target volumes, current process steps and required changeover or hygiene conditions into supplier conversations.

Plant, process and packaging professionals

Production engineers, plant managers and packaging professionals can focus on equipment application and integration. Compare operating principles, line configuration, cleaning needs, controls, inspection steps and compatibility with upstream and downstream equipment. Distinguish a demonstration from evidence that a system will work in your facility.

Procurement and technical decision-makers

Purchasing managers and project teams can build a structured comparison of suppliers. Agree the specification with engineering, operations, quality and finance colleagues. Ask suppliers to separate standard equipment from optional modules, installation, consumables and service so later quotations can be compared consistently.

Ingredient and formulation specialists

Product developers and ingredient buyers can investigate raw materials and formulation-related solutions. Bring a concise brief covering product category, intended sensory or functional properties, ingredient constraints and packaging context. Ask about application evidence, handling, compatibility and documentation.

Technology suppliers and prospective exhibitors

Manufacturers across ingredients, process equipment, filling, packaging, automation, analytics and logistics can assess how their offer fits the fair’s scope. The organiser’s 2028 announcement describes stronger focus on raw materials and formulations, liquid food, production and quality assurance. Define the buyer problem your stand should address and the evidence you can demonstrate; participation does not guarantee leads or sales.

What can you find at Munich Drinktec?

Raw materials and ingredients

The official exhibition profile lists raw materials and ingredients, relevant to producers reviewing formulation inputs and suppliers presenting beverage and liquid-food applications.

Process, cleaning and filling technology

Published categories include process technology, cleaning and filling, beer and beverage processing, and liquid-food processing. Compare how a solution handles your product, process sequence, cleaning regime and line conditions. Ask which performance figures are measured and under what conditions.

Components, supply technology, IT and automation

The profile groups components, process aids and equipment, supply technology, IT, automation and analytics. Ask about interfaces, data exchange, maintenance access, operator training and evidence for the intended use.

Packaging, palletising and logistics

Packaging and palletising technology, logistics and primary packaging are included. Compare how containers, closures, secondary packaging and end-of-line handling relate to product formats and distribution needs. Consider product protection, changeover, material use and downstream handling together.

PET, plastic solutions and marketing

PET and plastic solutions and marketing or point-of-sale products are also listed. Check material, format and application requirements; a category listing alone does not establish which suppliers will be present in 2028.

What makes Munich Drinktec different?

Its published scope follows liquid products from ingredients and processing through filling, packaging and associated systems. This breadth helps teams map dependencies between formulation, process, container and packaging operations, then prioritise the supplier conversations needed to test a proposed solution.

The 2025 review highlighted 172 new products in the Innovation Guide, a Startup Zone, a New Beverage Concepts Area and the Liquidrome programme in Hall C4. These are previous-edition examples, not promises for 2028. Current visitor information describes keynotes, panel discussions, a Deep Dive Lounge, Startup Zone, Health Bar, guided tours, awards and a Science Wall; confirm the 2028 schedule before planning around a session.

What should you try to achieve?

If you are a producer

Set an objective such as: Compare three filling or processing approaches against one defined product and line requirement. Record operating conditions and questions that need testing at your plant.

If you are an engineer or plant manager

Set an objective such as: Identify a shortlist of systems that can integrate with the current line and document interface questions. Focus on process fit, cleaning, controls, service and measurable performance.

If you are a buyer

Set an objective such as: Build a like-for-like comparison of suppliers for a planned equipment or packaging purchase. Use the same specification and commercial questions with each candidate.

If you work in formulation

Set an objective such as: Identify ingredient or material options that merit product-specific technical review. Capture application evidence, handling requirements and documentation to request.

If you are exhibiting

Set an objective such as: Demonstrate one documented customer problem and gather the technical questions for the next sales conversation. Choose a clear audience and follow-up process; results are not guaranteed.

How to prepare before Munich Drinktec

1. Define the decision

Write down whether you are evaluating a new line, an upgrade, a packaging change, an ingredient, an automation project or a market scan. Separate essential requirements from useful features and agree criteria with colleagues.

2. Build a target list

The official visitor information points to an exhibitor and product database with filters for product groups, sectors, solutions, origin and export markets. Use the current database and hall plan when 2028 versions are available. Until then, 2025 material is historical, not a confirmed 2028 list. Sort companies into A — essential, B — useful and C — explore if time allows.

3. Prepare technical questions

• Which product, container and operating conditions were used in the demonstration?
• What throughput range is supported and how is it measured?
• How are cleaning, sanitation and product changeovers handled?
• Which upstream and downstream interfaces are required?
• What controls, sensors, inspection or analytics are included?
• Which packaging materials, sizes and closures are compatible?
• What are installation, commissioning and operator-training requirements?
• What maintenance access, spare parts and service arrangements are available?
• Which performance or quality claims have application data?
• What further information is needed for a site-specific proposal?

4. Coordinate the team

For a capital project, assign roles: process requirements, engineering and controls, and commercial or service conditions. Agree how findings will be recorded so different stands can be compared later.

5. Confirm practical details

Check visitor registration, opening hours, hall arrangements and programme details through the organiser before travelling. The 2028 dates and venue are confirmed; daily opening times and specific visitor arrangements were not verified in the reviewed pages.

How to make the most of the exhibition

Use a repeatable note for each supplier: Company → Product or system → Why it fits → Evidence to request → Contact → Next action. For a filling system, record the container and product used, stated operating conditions, line interfaces and performance data still to be checked. Keep application evidence separate from marketing claims and informal estimates.

Compare alternatives against the same brief. Ask which baseline and measurement method support any claimed output improvement. For ingredients or packaging, note product-specific testing and regulatory questions. Cluster priority stands by hall and topic when the 2028 plan becomes available.

Plan your time realistically

The organiser states that 12 halls are planned for 2028. Allow time for movement and technical conversations. Reserve focused blocks for priority meetings and leave space for relevant programme sessions.

Start of day

Review priority stands, the hall plan and meetings. Keep a short set of questions for each supplier.

Main part of day

Visit priority suppliers while the relevant technical colleagues are available. Capture specifications and evidence requests. If a solution is outside your operating conditions, record that and move on.

End of day

Compare notes, identify unanswered questions and agree which suppliers merit a second discussion or follow-up.

Beyond the exhibition floor

For 2025, the organiser described the Liquidrome as a five-day programme in Hall C4 and highlighted the Startup Zone and New Beverage Concepts Area. Its Innovation Guide featured 172 products. These are historical examples, not confirmed names or schedules for 2028.

Current visitor information outlines keynotes, panel discussions, a Deep Dive Lounge, Startup Zone, Health Bar, guided tours, awards and a Science Wall. Check the official programme as the 2028 schedule develops. Choose sessions that answer a project question and leave enough time for supplier meetings.

Networking at Munich Drinktec

Bring a concise description of your product, production challenge or supply capability. A buyer might explain beverage type, line stage, output and packaging format; an exhibitor might describe the application and technical evidence available. A useful first conversation establishes whether requirements match without forcing a decision on the spot.

Before ending a relevant discussion, agree what information would make the next step useful: specifications, a process diagram, application data, a sample, a site review or a quotation. Record who owns each follow-up and when it will be reviewed.

One day or several days at Munich Drinktec?

One day

One day may suit a visitor with a narrow objective, a prepared shortlist and a small number of priority meetings.

Two or three days

More time may help a cross-functional team compare process, filling, packaging and automation options or attend selected sessions while meeting suppliers.

Several days

A longer visit may suit a broader sourcing brief, multiple projects or supplier follow-up after internal discussion. The right duration depends on the decisions to make and the final hall and programme arrangements.

Bring a real production or product project

For equipment, bring product type, process stage, container format, line constraints, operating conditions, cleaning requirements, controls and relevant interfaces. For an investment, note the project stage and information you can share. For ingredients or concepts, prepare the formulation objective and evidence needed for product-specific assessment.

Do not share confidential technical details unless your organisation has agreed how to handle them. Ask suppliers what further information they need for a meaningful technical response and document assumptions behind preliminary discussions.

After Munich Drinktec: turn notes into decisions

Sort contacts into A — immediate project relevance, B — possible future fit and C — market or technology intelligence. For A contacts, send the agreed brief and request the evidence needed to assess fit. For B, record what would trigger a later discussion. For C, summarise useful observations for colleagues.

For equipment, request specifications, application data, line interfaces, installation requirements, service details and commercial assumptions. For ingredients and packaging, follow up on compatibility, documentation, samples or testing. Compare responses against consistent criteria and identify what needs independent validation before a purchase decision.

Who should consider exhibiting at Munich Drinktec?

The published scope is relevant to companies serving beverage and liquid-food producers across ingredients, process equipment, filling, packaging, automation, analytics and logistics. The 2028 announcement identifies a stronger focus on raw materials and formulations, more space for liquid food, and greater focus on production and quality assurance.

Define the audience and application you want to address, what evidence you can show and what a qualified follow-up means. Plan staffing for technical and commercial discussions. The organiser says exhibitor registration is open; this does not guarantee a particular stand location, visitor access or sales result.

Munich Drinktec visitor checklist

Before

• ☐ Define the project or sourcing question.
• ☐ Agree technical and commercial criteria with colleagues.
• ☐ Use the 2028 exhibitor database and hall plan when available.
• ☐ Prioritise companies and request meetings where appropriate.
• ☐ Prepare process, filling and packaging questions.
• ☐ Confirm registration, hours, access and programme details.

During

• ☐ Record product, configuration and demonstration conditions.
• ☐ Ask for evidence matching your application.
• ☐ Note integration, cleaning, service and compliance questions.
• ☐ Use a shared supplier comparison template.
• ☐ Review team notes at the end of each day.

After

• ☐ Classify contacts by immediate relevance, future fit or intelligence.
• ☐ Send agreed follow-up information and request evidence.
• ☐ Compare offers against consistent technical and commercial criteria.
• ☐ Verify assumptions before investment or product decisions.

Is Munich Drinktec worth visiting?

drinktec is most relevant to professionals working with beverage and liquid-food production, ingredients, filling, packaging, automation, analytics and related systems. Its broad scope and 12-hall plan suit teams comparing suppliers across connected stages of a project. Ingredient teams and technology suppliers can also explore application questions within a defined brief.

The return depends on preparation. A clear project, prioritised company list and consistent technical questions help turn demonstrations into comparable evidence. Visitors without an objective may find the breadth difficult to navigate; the useful outcome is informed next steps, not a promised purchase, partnership or commercial result.

Munich Drinktec 2028 at a glance

The 2028 dates, venue and 12-hall plan are confirmed by the organiser. The exhibitor figure is from 2025; daily opening hours and specific visitor registration details were not verified in the current official information reviewed.

Plan your Munich Drinktec visit around a decision

Ask which production, packaging or formulation decision you want to make better informed. Use the event to discover relevant options, compare them against a real requirement, meet suppliers with specific questions and agree what evidence should come next. Define. Compare. Discuss. Verify. Follow up.

Beverage and liquid-food technology opportunities in Germany

Market size and demand

No recent Germany-specific market-size or demand figure for beverage-processing and packaging technology was verified. The 2025 exhibitor count describes drinktec, not the size of the German market, and should not be used as a demand measure.

Market access and equipment requirements

EU Regulation 2023/1230 on machinery is scheduled to apply from 20 January 2027. Businesses placing machinery or related products within its scope on the EU market may need to assess applicable requirements for their product and role. The regulation is not yet generally applicable as of November 2026; check the official legal text for transitional provisions and product-specific obligations.

What this may mean for exhibitors

Equipment and automation suppliers may use the 2028 event to discuss beverage and liquid-food applications and understand customer compliance questions. The scheduled EU machinery rules can prompt review of product scope, documentation and conformity planning; they do not establish demand or guarantee sales.

What this may mean for visitors

Visitors considering machinery can compare suppliers against the intended process and ask what documentation, conformity assessment and implementation evidence will matter. Germany-specific demand and product-level commercial prospects require separate assessment; the exhibition alone does not establish them.

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