The 40th edition of IPM Essen 2024 was attended by over 36,000 (over 40,000 in 2023) trade visitors from 23 to 26 January 2024. The number of participants was 1403 exhibiting companies, over 70 higher than last year, from 43 countries. A nationwide railway strike unfortunately fell in the middle of the exhibition period. This, IPM reports, certainly affected the number of visitors, many German trade visitors keen to come to Essen by this means of transport.

There was strong interest in climate-resilient and biodiversity-promoting plants and innovations for production that requires less use of raw materials.  Compared to last year, IPM ESSEN 2024 noted an increase in the international nature of the audience. That things are not going well for floriculture everywhere was evident in the absence of several big names on the exhibitor list, wide aisles and smaller stands in some halls

The mood at the fair was generally good. "At the 40th IPM ESSEN, the green industry once again showed its relevance to contemporary issues. Horticulture is powerful and innovative, as we have seen and proved in these four days," said Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf, president of the State Association for Horticulture North Rhine-Westphalia and chairman of the IPM fair's advisory board.

Sustainability

About 30 per cent of visitors placed orders during the fair, while more than 60 per cent plan to make purchases based on the information obtained at IPM ESSEN. The list of buyers mainly included new and innovative plant varieties. Currently, climate-resistant varieties that can withstand heavy rainfall and heat - a factor that is becoming increasingly important in both private gardens and urban green spaces - are the most important. Tours focusing on climate-resistant trees and insect-friendly perennials attracted many visitors. Sustainability was also a recurring theme in the technology exhibition area. For example, the Innovation Centre for Horticultural Technology provided information on peat substitutes and resource-efficient production. Automation processes are also on the rise in horticulture, with the importance of artificial intelligence increasing. Innovations such as a watering robot and solutions for automated weed control were presented at IPM ESSEN. The new special exhibition "Utility Vehicles" showed electrically powered mobile solutions for use in horticulture.

The IPM Discovery Centre showed how sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable materials for packaging and plant pots, can be integrated into trade and how customers can be enthused about green products in the future. 

The next edition of IPM Essen will be held from 28 to 1 January 2025.