FACHPACK 2024: Clear guide for a packaging sector in transition

“That was the kind of FACHPACK we know and love!” – That was the general consensus among exhibitors and visitors at FACHPACK 2024, which has just closed following a highly successful three-day event. Thirty-seven thousand trade visitors, one third from outside Germany, learned about the latest trends and innovations at the stands run by the 1,455 exhibitors, and discussed pressing packaging issues with the experts. The key theme of “Transition In Packaging” was strongly in evidence in all the exhibition halls and in the supporting programme. “The great response speaks for itself: Despite the changes happening in the packaging industry and the many challenges it is facing, the European packaging sector at FACHPACK proved extremely innovative, solution-oriented and confident,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse, summing up the event. In 2025, FACHPACK will be held at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg together with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM.

“Once again, FACHPACK has shown itself to be a clear guide and driving force for the packaging industry in Europe,” says Slotta, summing up the mood at FACHPACK 2024. “And that’s what we need! The packaging sector is in a state of transition. New regulations have to be implemented, and high expectations in terms of sustainability and the circular economy need to be met. At the same time, the industry faces challenges brought about by demographic change. And then there are other themes relating to the energy supply system, supply chains, digitalization and artificial intelligence. Here in Nuremberg we’ve just had three days of experiencing first-hand just how innovative, solution-focused and optimistic the industry is in dealing with these challenges and helping to structure the transition. The FACHPACK motto ‘We create the future’ once again sums it up nicely.”

Visitors from throughout Europe

FACHPACK offered an extensive range of solutions and innovations in the areas of packaging, packaging systems and packaging processes. Most visitors to FACHPACK travelled to the Exhibition Centre from other countries in Europe. After Germany, the top ten countries were Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Turkey and Hungary. The international contingent made up 33 percent of the total.

Industry professionals: Top decision-makers onsite

The results of a visitor survey by an independent institute confirmed that 96 percent of the industry professionals were happy with the products and services in the exhibition halls. Some 90 percent of the trade visitors said they were involved in making the purchasing and procurement decisions in their respective businesses. Two thirds of them hold management positions. The visitors came mainly from the food and feed, pharmaceutical and medical, chemical, cosmetics, retail, automotive, electrical and electronic, non-food, logistics and packaging industries.

Women4Packaging network off to a successful start

The Women4Packaging networking event was very well received, with 150 female industry players seizing the unique opportunity on the first day of the trade fair to network onsite and interact on current themes and trends in the packaging sector. The keynote by Vera Strauch, founder of the Female Leadership Academy and expert in Feminist Leadership, provided stimulating ideas. This initial gathering received a thoroughly positive response, and the Women4Packaging network will be continued and expanded accordingly, to ensure a focus on women in the packaging industry in the future. Regular meetings are planned. Phuong Anh Do, Deputy Director FACHPACK, is overwhelmed by the response to the new industry platform: “There are many qualified women in the packaging industry. That’s why we’re particularly pleased to have created a trail-blazing network for women at FACHPACK in the form of Women4Packaging, which offers female players in the industry an opportunity for constructive interaction with like-minded colleagues and genuine added value.”

German Packaging Award and Gold Awards presented

On the first day of FACHPACK, the German Packaging Institute (dvi) announced the winners of the Gold Awards for this year’s German Packaging Award. The five best innovations for 2024 came from the categories of Digitalization, Functionality & Convenience, Sustainability and Packaging Machines. A total of 41 innovative solutions that were recognized with the German Packaging Award in August were celebrated.

New: Packaging Valley organizes Packaging Machinery Forum in collaboration with FACHPACK in 2025

In early summer 2025, Packaging Valley and FACHPACK will join forces for the new Packaging Machinery Forum format. This leading forum for packaging machine construction will offer exclusive insights into the future of the sector. It will focus on topics of interest to customers of the packaging machine construction industry. Technological themes such as digitalization will be given the same prominence as questions of business models, market developments, and how to ensure future-proof production.   Participants can also look forward to customized sessions run by top-level experts to deal with individual questions. The forum also offers an ideal platform for networking, which enables direct connections to decision-makers and leading thinkers in the sector. More information will follow soon.

Save the date: The next FACHPACK will take place together with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 23 to 25 September 2025.