A weekend of thought-provoking discussions, high-energy networking, and hands-on product demonstrations defined Remanexpo 2025, with the Remanexpo Academy delivering a compelling programme and exhibitors keeping busy with engaged visitors.
The Remanexpo Academy wrapped up on Sunday, closing three days of packed sessions that tackled some of the industry’s most pressing topics. David Connett set the tone on Friday with his keynote, “Office Imaging and European Reuse: Trends and 2025 Outlook”, offering a sharp analysis of market trends and future challenges.
The session that followed, “Trends and Drivers: Considering the Impact of AI and Sustainability on the Office Printing Market”, presented by Peter Mayhew of Keypoint Intelligence, brought fresh perspectives and the latest research on how artificial intelligence and environmental concerns are shaping the industry.
Adding an international dimension, Koichi Yoshizuka, Founder & CEO of QRIE Ltd and a renowned industry expert, shared an in-depth look at “The Latest Trends in Japan’s Third-Party Supplies Market and OEM Developments”. Meanwhile, despite battling a sore throat, Simon Grimes of Static Control Components delivered a well-received presentation, “Cracking the Code: Toner, Chips, and the Science Behind Remanufacturing”.
Saturday: Compliance and market realities
Saturday’s agenda took a more introspective turn as David Connett returned to the stage with “Who Would Be an OEM?”, dissecting the current landscape for original equipment manufacturers and the pressures they face. Vincent van Dijk’s regular “Brussels Beat” brought attendees up to speed on the EU’s legislative agenda and its impact on the market, while compliance remained a hot-button issue across several sessions.
ETIRA President Javier Martinez’s session, “Compliance in Crisis: ETIRA’s Guide to Tackling Fraud in Printer Consumables”, stood out as a highlight. Drawing on ETIRA’s “Fake and Fraud” research, Martinez outlined real-world examples of non-compliance and the financial and reputational risks for businesses failing to meet legal obligations.
The day concluded with an industry perspective from the OEM side. Ricoh veteran Richard Catley, with 37 years of experience, walked the audience through “Ricoh’s Circular Economy Journey”, tracing the company’s sustainability-driven transformation from the 1990s to the present.
Sunday: The future of labelling and digital product passports
Sunday’s discussions shifted towards solutions, with an update on ETIRA’s label certification programme, now in its third year and with over two million labelled products in circulation—plus another million in production. The programme, a marker of quality and compliance, continues to gain traction as an industry standard.
The weekend closed with a forward-looking session on Digital Product Passports (DPPs), highlighting their potential to enhance transparency and traceability in the imaging sector. The discussion extended beyond the presentation, with informal talks continuing well into the afternoon, culminating in the idea of forming a “DPP Alliance” to explore implementation. Expect further developments on this in the coming weeks.
Beyond the Remanexpo Academy
Away from the academy, the exhibition floor buzzed with activity. Altkin drew interest with a series of private demonstrations of its “SecuReuse” device, showcasing how it works in real-time. Meanwhile, chip resetting emerged as a prominent theme, with the unmistakable “beep, beep, beep” of resetters in action echoing throughout the hall.
And, of course, no Remanexpo would be complete without a visit from German Zoll (Customs), carrying out their now-annual checks on exhibitor products. This year’s focus? Konica Minolta led the charge, though details remain in the realm of speculation.
Networking, Wine, and Lively Conversations
Remanexpo isn’t just about business—it’s also about connections. ETIRA’s networking event provided the perfect setting for industry discussions to continue in a more relaxed environment, with wine sponsored by KMP and beer supplied by Everlight. The conversations flowed as freely as the drinks, rounding off the weekend on a convivial note.
Stay tuned for more insights and coverage from the show in the coming days.
