From 24 to 26 September 2024, the packaging sector will gather in Nuremberg at FACHPACK, the European trade fair for packaging, technology and processes. The preparations for the event are currently in full swing. Some 1,400 exhibitors are expected and will be spread over 11 exhibition halls. Around 90% of the display area has already been allocated. The updated exhibitor overview and floor plans are already on the FACHPACK website, much earlier than usual. This helps interested companies to now easily secure their spot. But they’ll need to act quickly. As well as a host of packaging-related products and services, trade visitors can of course also look forward to an exciting supporting programme with some new features in 2024.
“In just under six months, the European packaging industry will return to Nuremberg. Once again, FACHPACK 2024 is set to cover the entire packaging supply chain in 11 exhibition halls. Around 60% of the display area will be devoted to packaging materials and supplies, while 40% will focus on packaging technology. These two main segments will be complemented by packaging printing and finishing, and intra-logistics,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse, about the product range of display. She continues: “A traditionally well-represented segment is plastic packaging, which has grown yet again. And I am especially pleased this time about the strong response from companies in the fibre packaging segment, which is up by 4% and includes corrugated board manufacturers.
Participation still possible
“The FACHPACK team is making it easy for all interested companies that still want to take part to do so. However, we recommend that they decide quickly, to secure their ideal stand location and exhaust all the benefits of their trade fair participation: Meeting and doing business with customers from packaging-intensive industries in the B2B and B2C sectors, showcasing their products in the INNOVATIONBOX forum, gaining an overview of the market, and developing their network.”
Supporting programme with exciting new features
As well as a comprehensive product display, FACHPACK participants can look forward to a diverse supporting programme relating to the main theme of FACHPACK 2024: “Transition in packaging”. The programme for the FACHPACK forums will explore specific strategies and approaches by brands, manufacturers and users to deal with the issues currently impacting the sector. The circular economy, brands and consumerism, automation and AI, innovations and technological developments are the main thematic streams of the PACKBOX and INNOVATIONBOX forums.
Inspiration is also provided by a new themed pavilion in Hall 3 that showcases innovative packaging made from sustainable raw materials or new alternative developments for established packaging materials. Heike Slotta explains: “For this pavilion, we are partnering with BIOFACH, the world’s leading fair for organic food which takes place annually in Nuremberg.” What’s so special about it is that with just one registration, interested companies can simply and easily participate and present their products at both trade fairs using the same concept. “Moreover,” Heike Slotta continues, “at FACHPACK 2024 we are also cooperating with SOLPACK by PACOON, which will host a moderated forum to present key topics relating to alternative and sustainable packaging solutions.
On the first day of FACHPACK 2024, another new addition puts the spotlight on women in the packaging industry. At the “Women4Packaging” get-together, the focus is on networking with packaging experts in a relaxed atmosphere. This event is geared towards female exhibitors and trade visitors. “Through this format, we aim to give women in the packaging industry – and there are a lot of them – a platform for dialogue at the venue. In the run-up to the trade fair, we are already addressing this topic online in our news portal FACHPACK360°. The face-to-face get-together is the logical extension of this, and I am very much looking forward to it,” says Heike Slotta. Interested participants can register for this event via the FACHPACK website.
Start-ups – becoming a part of the community!
The “Young Innovators” pavilion, subsidised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), enables German start-ups and new firms to present their companies and product innovations to a professional audience at FACHPACK 2024. International start-ups with a registered office outside Germany can showcase their pioneering products and processes to interested packaging specialists at the Newcomer Pavilion.