FachPack 2019 points the way ahead for Europe’s packaging industry

Packaging Solutions

About 44,000 trade visitors took the opportunity to learn about innovations and trends in the packaging sector from the 1591 exhibitors in attendance at FachPack, which took place in Nuremberg from 24 to 26 September 2019. The event attracted a much larger number of visitors from outside Germany than in years past.

The first ever key theme to be chosen, environmentally friendly packaging, was right on trend and was a thread running through the 12 exhibition halls and the supporting programme. Attendees eagerly used the chance to network and discuss the best packaging options at the exhibition booths, forums and special shows.

The German Packaging Award and the Sustainability Awards honoured particularly innovative solutions at FachPack 2019.

‘I am overwhelmed by the vibrancy, energy and innovative spirit shown by the packaging industry, which was evident at the exhibition over the past three days. There are so many trends, such as digitalisation, e-commerce and brand experience, and exhibitors are facing up to pressing issues and already presenting marketable products. This is especially true when it comes to sustainability, which has been an issue within the industry for many years, but has now really taken off,’ noted Cornelia Fehlner, FachPack exhibition director at NürnbergMesse. Almost half of the 1591 exhibitors had addressed the issue of environmentally friendly packaging on their exhibition stands.

With innovative formats like the open workshop area in hall 9 and the three special areas where national and international start ups showed off their prowess, the supporting programme proved to be very popular. The PackBox and TechBox forums hosted 120 presentations, half of which covered different aspects of environmentally friendly packaging. Hot topics like design for recycling, the circular economy and bio-based plastics were addressed by speakers from well known companies like the zero waste platform Loop, Tesco and Procter & Gamble. Leading research institutes and associations were also represented. At some presentations, there were four times more attendees than chairs. A total audience of approximately 10,000 attendees listened to sessions at the two forums across the three days of the exhibition.

The next FachPack will take place in the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre from 28 to 30 September 2021.