European Packaging Industry Gathers in Nuremberg

FACHPACK 2022 has opened its doors: As of today, the European packaging industry is meeting again in the Exhibition Center Nuremberg.  With 1145 exhibitors, the exhibition has recorded a significant increase over the previous year.

“Transition In Packaging” is the key theme of the FACHPACK trade fair, to be held in Nuremberg from 27 to 29 September 2022. This describes the transformation currently taking place in the European packaging industry. More sustainability, more e-Commerce and increasing digitalization are just some of the driving themes. Then there are the current challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers, high power costs and disrupted supply chains. “The dynamics in the packaging industry have never been greater,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director NürnbergMesse. “But despite that, or perhaps because of it, companies in the sector are very strong on design and innovation.” The key theme of “Transition in Packaging” will be reflected at the stands of the 1,145 exhibitors (2021: 789), in the extensive lecture programme, in the fascinating special shows and in the award presentations. Visitors from the consumer and industrial goods sectors will be impressed.

FACHPACK offers a compact yet comprehensive overview of the products and services relating to the packaging process chain for industrial and customer goods – i.e. packaging and the associated technology and processes. This year’s event will extend to nine exhibition halls. Of the 1,145 exhibitors, 42 percent will travel to Nuremberg from outside Germany, the majority from Turkey, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic and France.

A good half of the exhibitors are active in packaging materials and packaging accessories, and about one-third in the area of packaging machines and labelling and palletizing systems. About 15 percent work in the area of package printing and finishing, in-house logistics and services for the packaging industry.

“We are very pleased that, once again, we can report a significant increase in exhibitor numbers and exhibition space compared to the previous FACHPACK a year ago,” says Phillip Blass, Director FACHPACK, NürnbergMesse. “Many prominent market leaders will be present, we have attracted new companies, and there are also a number of former exhibitors who have rediscovered FACHPACK. FACHPACK has moved on from the pandemic.”

Inspirations: New developments from the forums

FACHPACK perceives itself as an innovator and a source of inspiration for the sector, which is why it is once again organizing a comprehensive programme of about 160 lectures in the PACKBOX (Hall 9), TECHBOX (Hall 3C) and INNOVATIONBOX (Hall 5) forums. Current sector topics such as environmentally friendly packaging, digitalization, e-commerce, and also the shortage of skilled labour, supply chain bottlenecks and raw material prices will be covered.

In PACKBOX, the topics are “Market Experience & Market Expectation” (27 September), “Sustainable design & material” (28 September) and “Packaging digital & smart” (29 September). In TECHBOX, the programme includes “Innovation & Climate Strategy” (27 September), “New business models in packaging and mechanical engineering/Attracting and securing skilled workers and employees” (28 September) and “Efficiency & Digitalization” (29 September). In the exhibitor forum, INNOVATIONBOX, exhibitors can present their innovations to the trade visitors on site in 30-minute presentations: www.fachpack.de/en/programme

myFACHPACK: Expanding into the digital world

Once again this year, the digital expansion myFACHPACK will be made available for matchmaking and sharing knowledge. This new tool offers visitors the opportunity to network with exhibitors, partners and speakers. During the trade fair, the programme from the PACKBOX, TECHBOX and INNOVATIONBOX lecture forums will be livestreamed to myFACHPACK, and will also be available there after the event. myFACHPACK can be used on desktop platforms, and also via an app on mobile terminals: www.fachpack.de/en/myFACHPACK

Inspiration: Special show on packaging design in Hall 7

Under the headings of “Address”, “Amaze” and “Advance”, the special show “Transition in packaging by design”  in Hall 7 – a collaborative effort by bayern design and NürnbergMesse – will present selected examples of packaging design in which designers put packaging to strategic use: as a means of communication or of interaction, and as a place to develop sustainable materials.

Innovation: Start-ups in Hall 5

Fresh, unconventional ideas and products to resolve packaging questions are more in demand than ever. Visitors can find these among the 24 start-ups in the packaging sector in Hall 5, at the sponsored BMWK (the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection) pavilion for young, innovative companies and in the international start-up area. This is where newcomers will demonstrate and discuss their new products and processes with interested packaging specialists.

At FACHPACK 2022 the stage will once again be set for the winners of the German Packaging Award, Europe’s top showcase for all aspects of packaging. The award is presented by the Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut (German Packaging Institute, dvi) in ten categories (Sustainability, Design & Processing, Digitalization, Young Talent, etc.) as part of the PACKBOX forum on the first day of the trade fair, 27 September 2022, starting at 16:00. The 38 prize-winners come from Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Austria, Sweden and Ukraine.