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It’s easy to assume that, as a market analyst, I spend a decent amount of time on the road meeting with stakeholders and attending swaths of industry events all over. But, in reality, I don't often find myself traveling much for business—let alone internationally. But when the opportunity arose to attend Remanexpo 2025, part of the larger Ambiente trade show at Messe Frankfurt, I knew it would be an experience I couldn't pass up. This would be my first-ever trade show, a chance to see our industry beyond your standard test report, market insight, or any of the virtual briefings and webinars I usually attend. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect—only that it would be a big, bustling, deep dive into the European supplies market.
The Grandeur of Ambiente and Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt venue itself is nothing short of a spectacle: an enormous, well-structured facility designed to handle events of this magnitude. Spanning over 350,000 square meters of exhibition space, the venue is home to some of the most significant international trade fairs on the planet. Each hall was packed with exhibitors (some 4,660 of them) with around 148,000 attendees at this year’s event, which is up from the year prior.
Under the Ambiente umbrella is Creativeworld, a hub for artists, designers, and DIY enthusiasts that spotlights the latest in art supplies, craft materials, and digital design tools with sustainability and innovation shaping the future of the creative industries. Meanwhile, the Future of Work segment addressed the ever-evolving needs of modern workplaces, unveiling cutting-edge office solutions, ergonomic furniture, and technology-driven workspace concepts designed for hybrid and remote work environments. And then there’s Christmasworld, a dazzling display of festive décor, lighting concepts, and seasonal retail trends. Passing through the halls of the Messe eventually brough me to the Congress Centre where Remanexpo was being held.
| A snapshot of the show floor on Day 1. |
ETIRA Spearheading Standardization and Compliance
Representatives from the European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) took center stage Saturday (Day 2) in discussions around counterfeit imaging products as well as the regulatory outline in Europe and its impact on the aftermarket sector. During his presentation, ETIRA's president Javier Martinez voiced his concerns with the influx of non-compliant, new-build cartridges flooding European markets, which undercut remanufactured products that adhere to stringent environmental regulations. He emphasized the growing need for EU-wide enforcement to prevent non-compliant imports from flooding marketplaces—particularly as demand for sustainable imaging solutions increases. Martinez also noted that Spanish authorities have already started cracking down on gray market imports, but broader EU enforcement remains necessary to create a truly level playing field.
Martinez’s presentation came in the wake of the publication of the European Commission’s E-commerce communication: A comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce, which was made publicly available on February 5th, just days before the start of the show. As non-compliant, new-built cartridges continue to flood European markets, ETIRA remains one of the most vocal organizations fighting against these practices.
The Inevitable Rollout of Digital Product Passports
One of the most forward-looking discussions at Remanexpo centered around Digital Product Passports (DPPs). A digital record system that tracks the lifecycle of imaging products, this initiative stems from the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and means to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability in manufacturing and remanufacturing. The upcoming mandatory implementation of DPPs was a central topic during a session hosted by David Connett from Connett & Unland GbR. Imaging equipment and supplies will fall under Phase 2 of the European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), meaning manufacturers and remanufacturers must have DPP systems in place by 2030.
| David Connett (The Recycler) speaks with attendees about non-compliant imaging supplies. |
Some vendors in other industries are already ahead of the curve, such as Avery Dennison in the textiles business having already implemented DPP-like systems in their sustainability strategies. However, some imaging vendors may not be as prepared. With regulations still years away from full implementation, the general consensus from conversations at Remanexpo was that waiting isn’t an option. If industry players don’t start leading with voluntary DPP adoption now, it risks reacting under duress when compliance becomes mandatory.
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Through my time at Remanexpo 2025, I quickly realized the show was so much more than just vendors parading around different remanufactured products. Instead, it was heavily concentrated on shaping the future of the remanufacturing industry through an evolving regulatory landscape—figuring out how to manage the delicate balance between innovation and regulatory demands. The overarching sentiment from industry leaders and professionals was one of opportunity and challenge. The demand for sustainable solutions is stronger than ever but, again, so is the regulatory pressure. And we’ve said it time and time again at Keypoint Intelligence: Companies that fail to adapt to new policies and consumer expectations risk falling behind, while those that innovate in remanufacturing, compliance, and eco-friendly practices stand to gain a significant competitive edge.
| Keypoint Intelligence’s own Todd Curtis (left) and Peter Mayhew (right). |
Still, though, I left the show after the final day asking myself several questions:
I likely won’t find the answers to these questions in the near future, but I know they are coming…and they’re coming quickly.
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