FACHPACK: Inspiration, innovation and perspectives for the packaging industry

FACHPACK is much more than just an industry get-together for packaging specialists. Visitors to Nuremberg will not only encounter machines and materials, but also a cross-section of all relevant future topics in the packaging industry: sustainability, digitalisation, supply chain stability, design and consumer appeal. The trade fair is not just a product showcase – it is a place for orientation, exchange and critical discussion of the requirements for modern packaging solutions.

With its clear focus on the European market, FACHPACK is not only a pacemaker for the industry, but also a seismograph for social and regulatory changes. Amid growing environmental demands, digital disruption and rising material costs, the trade fair shows how packaging can – and must – be rethought.

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From technology trade fair to industry theme park

FACHPACK has undergone consistent development over the decades. Once heavily focused on packaging machines and traditional materials, it now reflects the entire value chain – from raw materials to design and finishing to recycling. It brings together trade visitors from the consumer goods industry, pharmaceuticals, logistics, retail and mechanical engineering with solution providers who not only deliver, but also listen and think ahead. Particularly striking is the breadth of content that runs through the supporting programme, special shows and discussion formats. The focus is not only on technology, but also on responsibility – for example, towards the environment, employees and end consumers. The fact that contradictions are deliberately highlighted is part of the trade fair's self-image. FACHPACK is not a place for simple answers, but for realistic solutions.

Key questions: What does packaging have to do today?

The demands placed on packaging are diverse – and often contradictory. Products must be protected, brands transported, shelf impact achieved, costs reduced and, at the same time, environmental standards met. All this in a confined space, at high speed and under increasing regulatory pressure.

FACHPACK addresses this complexity and showcases innovations that tackle precisely these issues:

• Sustainable materials: recycled materials, bio-based plastics, paper-based composite solutions
• Machines and processes: energy-efficient systems, automated format changes, digital networking
• Labelling and tracking: intelligent labels, anti-counterfeiting, traceability
• Design for recycling: packaging solutions developed from the outset for the material cycle

These developments are not presented in isolation, but often embedded in larger discussions – for example, on European packaging legislation, the role of the circular economy or global supply chain issues. The trade fair thus not only offers solutions, but also the context in which they are relevant.

Who is FACHPACK relevant for?

The visitor structure at FACHPACK is as diverse as the industry itself. In addition to technicians and purchasers, sustainability managers, brand strategists and developers are increasingly coming to Nuremberg. This is because packaging is no longer considered at the end of the process, but at the beginning.

Typical visitor groups are:

• Manufacturers of consumer and industrial goods who see packaging as part of their product
• Machine and plant manufacturers who focus on process integration
• Agencies and designers who use packaging as a means of communication
• CSR teams who have to translate ecological targets into concrete requirements
• Logistics managers who want to ensure efficiency and compatibility in the supply chain

The trade fair is therefore a place where operational practice and strategic perspectives meet – with short distances and usually surprisingly direct discussions.

Formats with depth: more than just exhibiting

What makes FACHPACK special is its well-thought-out supporting programme. In addition to the classic stands, the trade fair offers a variety of curated formats in which content is condensed and contextualised. These include, for example:

• the PACKBOX forum, where trends, studies and best practices are presented and discussed
• the ‘Innovationbox’ special show, which showcases experimental approaches and prototypes
• guided tours that take visitors through the trade fair on specific themes – from sustainable materials to pharmaceutical packaging
• the career forum, which brings young talent and established companies together for targeted discussions

These formats are not just extras – they are an integral part of a trade fair that sees dialogue and reflection as part of the value creation process. Those who listen carefully here will take away not only product ideas, but also strategic impetus.

Conclusion: Why FACHPACK is more than just an industry show

At a time when packaging is being discussed both as an environmental problem and as an opportunity for innovation, formats such as FACHPACK are needed. It does not offer ready-made answers, but rather the right questions. And it shows that technical excellence and social responsibility are not a contradiction – but a necessary interplay. The trade fair is compact but focused. It is close to the market but open to new ideas. And it brings together people who work on solutions across departments and companies. If you want to know where packaging is heading – as a technology, as a medium, as an attitude – Nuremberg is the place to be.

Further information can be found on the organizer's website: www.fachpack.de