ESMA is the European association of manufacturers of machinery equipment and equipment for the digital and screen-printing process, and the DPE exhibition will be held in Frankfurt, Germany on 1-4 March 2006.

A spokesman for organiser Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen said ESMA had been unhappy at digital print coverage at the Fespa shows, and had decided over a year ago to develop its own exhibition.

So far 20 exhibitors, including Agfa, Technigraf, Oc and Kissel+Wolf have confirmed their attendance, and the show hopes to attract between 200-300 exhibitors and some 7,000 visitors.

Although Fespa has since announced the launch of its own Digital Printing Europe exhibition in Amsterdam during May next year, the spokesman said he was hopeful the interest expressed and attraction of Frankfurt as a location would make DPE a success.