IPI 2025 keynotes unveiled: Robotics, human-machine interfaces, and the future of industrial printing

Keynote Sessions

Wednesday, 12 November – 09:25

AI-Powered Robotics: Market and Technology Trends

Dr Werner Kraus, Head of Robotics at Fraunhofer IPA and leader of AI innovation center learning systems and cognitive robotics

From model-free grasping to cobot welding and imitation learning, this keynote explores how AI-powered robotics are transforming production and logistics. Dr Kraus will also present the vision of “automation of automation” for high-mix, low-volume production and show how digital toolchains can reduce engineering effort by up to 50%.

Wednesday, 12 November – 09:50

Dead Fronts, Light Guides, Hidden-Til-Lit Displays: How Inkjet Enters Human-Machine Interfaces

Manuel Klemens, Plant Manager, CCL Design & Dr Andreas Willfahrt, Head of Development, Intelligent Labels, CCL Design

This session highlights the role of inkjet in creating next-generation HMIs for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications. Through real-world case studies, the speakers will demonstrate how inkjet delivers design freedom, precision, and adaptability, opening new opportunities for advanced interface design.

Wednesday, 12 November – 10:15

A New Direction for Inkjet: Why Are Chemical Kinetics Accelerated in Microscale Droplets?

Prof. Ronan Daly, Professor of Advanced Manufacturing in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. He leads the Fluids in Advanced Manufacturing research group.

Inkjet’s unique ability to precisely control droplet volume, velocity, and placement is opening new frontiers beyond printing. Professor Daly will show how this capability can be applied to drug delivery and to accelerating chemical reaction kinetics, highlighting the potential of inkjet as a powerful tool for advanced manufacturing and biomedical applications.

Thursday, 13 November – 15:15

Keynote & Wrap-Up: The Future of Functional and Industrial Printing

Jon Harper-Smith, Print Consultant at Smithers

The printing industry is diversifying well beyond paper, with specialised processes creating components and functional materials across electronics, packaging, textiles, and décor. In this keynote, Smithers will present an expert overview of the global market outlook, identifying both opportunities and threats for the next five years. Drawing on exclusive insights from The Future of Industrial and Decorative Printing to 2029, Jon Harper-Smith will highlight the technologies driving change, the applications with the greatest growth potential, and the challenges facing industry leaders as print continues to expand into new functional domains.

Organiser’s Perspective

"Our keynote programme reflects the most urgent and exciting conversations happening in industrial printing today — from robotics and automation to sustainable inks and next-generation applications," said Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA. "IPI 2025 is about more than technology updates; it’s about shaping the roadmap for future manufacturing and connecting the experts who will make it happen."

Beyond the Keynotes

In addition to the keynote programme, IPI 2025 will feature almost 60 technical presentations, spotlighting innovations in printhead design, functional inks, 3D applications, automation, and sustainability. For the first time, the conference will also include OEM perspectives from SPGPrints, MicroCraft, and C-marx, providing real-world user insights into new applications and production challenges.

Exhibition & Networking

The tabletop exhibition will bring together 60+ industry leaders and academic partners, including Agfa, Fujifilm Dimatix, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Sun Chemical, University of Cambridge, and others. The exhibition floor is nearly sold out, with only limited spaces remaining.

Registration now open

Registration is open at ipi-conference.com. First-time participants benefit from a 50% discount, making IPI 2025 the perfect opportunity to connect with the international industrial print community.

Event details

Dates: 12–13 November 2025

Location: Crowne Plaza, Düsseldorf-Neuss

Programme & Registration: ipi-conference.com