From 24 to 26 September 2024, the European packaging sector will once again gather at FACHPACK, the trade fair for packaging, technology and processes. The more than 1,400 exhibitors at Exhibition Centre Nuremberg will showcase packaging materials and accessories, packaging machines and technology as well as the key processes for automation, marking and labelling, packaging printing and intra-logistics. The main theme of FACHPACK this year is “Transition in Packaging”, which aptly describes the changes currently taking place in the industry that will also be reflected in the 11 exhibition halls and high-calibre supporting programme.
Visitors from the consumer and industrial goods segments can look forward to an extensive programme of presentations in the PACKBOX, INNOVATIONBOX and SOLPACK 5.0 forums as well as interesting special shows and awards ceremonies.
Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse, is upbeat: “Following our scheduled break in 2023, we are now heading towards the home straight for FACHPACK 2024. The preparations are in full swing and everything is coming together. The “class reunion” for the packaging industry, a genuine highlight in our customers’ calendar, will soon be taking place in Nuremberg. I cordially invite all packaging specialists to come to the exhibition centre in September: We create the future, so make sure that you’re part of it!”
At the heart of Europe
A particularly welcome aspect is that FACHPACK 2024 is positioning itself as a continent-wide event. As Heike Slotta says: “Fifty-four percent of the exhibitors are from Germany, the rest from the strong German-speaking economic area and neighbouring countries. Turkey has a particularly strong presence.”
Worth mentioning in this context are the new exhibitors that account for around 20 percent of all exhibitors at FACHPACK 2024. A remarkably high proportion of these – 70 percent – come from countries other than Germany.
Forums on interesting topics provide new impetus in the supporting programme
FACHPACK sees itself as a source of inspiration for the industry. Alongside the extensive product display, this is also reflected in the programme of presentations in the three forums PACKBOX (Hall 4), INNOVATIONBOX (Hall 2) and SOLPACK 5.0 (Hall 3). All three forums address topical issues affecting the sector, e.g. dealing with the new PPWR regulations, the circular economy, automation and AI, or alternative packaging solutions and new fibre raw materials.
Key partners from the packaging industry are designing the programme for PACKBOX and invite interested participants to listen or join in the discussions. This forum will be moderated by three genuine industry stalwarts: Matthias Mahr from the trade journal LebensmittelPraxis (24./25.9), Dr Johannes Bergmair from Pack Experts and the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) (25.9.), and Oliver Berndt from the German Packaging Institute (dvi) (26.9.). In the INNOVATIONBOX Forum, registered exhibitors will introduce their new products and process innovations in a series of concise presentations. Popular moderators Nina Schönrock and Petra Bindl will host the programme. The SOLPACK 5.0 Forum is devoted to sustainable packaging solutions and will be conducted and moderated by Peter Desiléts and Volker Muche, managing directors of packaging design agency Pacoon GmbH.
Gathering for the industry offers three days of networking at its finest
In keeping with its slogan “We create the future”, FACHPACK offers the ideal platform for networking. A new feature in this context is the networking event Women4Packaging for women in the packaging industry which will be held on the first day of the fair (24.9., NCC Mitte). It offers female players in the sector a unique opportunity to network at the venue, inspire one another, and discuss the latest topics and trends in the packaging industry. The whole event takes place in a relaxed atmosphere. The highlight will be the keynote address by Vera Strauch, founder of the Female Leadership Academy and expert on feminist leadership.
Likewise on the first day of the fair, a total of 41 winners of the most prestigious European showcase for packaging excellence, the German Packaging Award, will be invited to take their places on the stage. Almost 250 submissions from 13 countries were received for consideration by the jury. The German Packaging Award is presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) and the winners in ten categories will be announced from 16.30 onwards in the Munich Room in NCC Mitte. As a premium partner, FACHPACK presents a special award for young talent. This accolade honours the best packaging concepts by school and university students and trainees.
The STUDENTS DAY on the third day of the fair (26.9.) brings companies and young packaging talent together. At the invitation of FACHPACK and the German Packaging Institute (dvi), more than 60 students from the German-speaking regions will take part in workshops with professionals from up to 10 packaging companies and brand owners. A lively discussion on the requirements of the future and concrete work in the packaging industry is guaranteed. Participants can also look forward to a dedicated FACHPACK Students’ Tour (which can be found on the interactive floor plan on the website) and a casual “Meet & Greet” session.
Alternative packaging solutions and innovative newcomers
This year, FACHPACK is introducing an inspiring programme feature: the “Alternative Packaging Solutions Pavilion”, which will showcase examples of alternatives for commonly used materials and provide insights into what might be possible in the future. At the fully booked pavilion in Hall 3, 13 companies will present their solutions including compostable plastic bags and teabags, upholstery material made from grain husks, packaging made from sugar cane (bagasse) and a whole lot more. The SOLPACK 5.0 Forum is also part of this pavilion. On all three days of the fair, visitors can enjoy a diverse programme and interesting presentations. A total of 35 packaging experts and exhibitors from this pavilion will conduct short presentations.
Anyone looking for fresh, unconventional ideas and products to resolve packaging issues will find them again this year among the start-ups of the packaging segment in Hall 2. Here, visitors can look forward to the “Young Innovators” pavilion for innovative young companies which is subsidised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). In addition, the “Newcomer Pavilion” gives FACHPACK debutants or international newcomers a platform for presenting their companies and innovative products to a professional audience. Naturally, FACHPACK 2024 would not be complete without the popular “Labels & More” pavilion in Hall 3A.
Good packaging design on display in special show “Outside the Box”
Anyone interested in packaging design should swing by the special design show “Outside the Box” in Hall 4. Curated by bayern design on behalf of FACHPACK, it maps the drafting and design journey from the initial idea through to good packaging design and provides valuable insights into the impact of design in development processes. It also explores how designers, as creative partners in the development process, find solutions to satisfy technical, ecological and economic requirements for packaging. Using unusual exhibits such as innovative packaging for fitted sheets or a reusable system for household products like detergents or soap, it presents design processes that enhance the circularity of packaging, make the brands behind the products more accessible, and foster identification and awareness among customers and users.