Forget that the most prominent web presses were printing plastic bags, Indonesia’s co-located Indoprint 2014 trade show is a great place to network and catch up on technology.

The event – being held with the Indoplas and Indopack shows – opened yesterday with more than 400 exhibiting companies from 20 countries.

International companies make up more than half of the exhibitors and 70 per cent of the total floor area. Exhibitors from Germany, Taiwan and Singapore dominate, with Austria presenting in a 400 m2 national pavilion. China and Thailand also have expanded booth spaces, along with Italy, presented cohesively for the first time. There are also noteworthy standalone representations from Japan, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

About 25,000 trade visitors are expected over the four days of the show which covers four halls of the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran. The exhibitions are jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia and partner Wahana Kemalaniaga Makmur (WAKENI).

On the Indoprint show floor, Heidelberg, KBA, Cyber, Sansin Indonesia, Eka Maju Mesinindo, Wenzhou Keqiang Machinery and Wenzhou Keqiang Machinery are prominent with offset and gravure solutions.

More than half of the exhibiting companies – including recognised brands such as Andritz, Asaba, Mimaki Indonesia, Kawata Pacific, Kraiburg TPE Technology, Weldy and Yokogawa Indonesia – feature fresh or newly improved products with enhanced technical aspects that can provide energy and cost-efficiency, high production reliability and performance capability.

Highly regarded as Indonesia’s foremost business and networking platform for the three industries, the exhibitions will also bring together leading international trade associations and experts who will share expertise and technological developments to propel Indonesia and the region’s printing, packaging, processing and printing sectors.

A conference and seminar programme includes contributions from Germany’s VDMA, Heidelberg Indonesia, Kopi Grafika and the Thai Trade Center.

Messe Düsseldorf Asia managing director Gernot Ringling says the biennial exhibitions are well-timed: “The two-year cycle provides the best conditions for technology leaders to accommodate the fast pace of technology change, research & development, innovation cycles to bring the best high-performing machinery and processing technologies,” he says.

WAKENI director Rini Sumardi says the organisers are confident of delivering a robust business platform where trade visitors can look forward to conducive networking opportunities.

The exhibitions continue until Saturday (September 6) and are open from 10am to 7pm in Halls A and D.