When FACHPACK gets to open its doors again at Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 28 to 30 September 2021, it will be the first major gathering of the European packaging industry for two years and a much longed-for reunion. Over the three-day period, the exhibition will focus on personal dialogue between business partners and colleagues and knowledge-sharing about trends, innovations and best practices. The main FACHPACK theme of “environmentally compliant packaging” will also be reflected in the extensive programme of presentations and at the special shows and exhibitor stands. Apart from sustainability, the key areas to be explored will be altered consumer behaviours, packaging design, and digital transformation. Start-ups will also be on-site to present their innovative ideas and products. And the best packaging solutions will be acknowledged at the ceremony for the German Packaging Award (dvi) and Sustainability Award (Packaging Europe). Visitors from the consumer and industrial goods segments are cordially invited to attend FACHPACK in Nuremberg. A comprehensive hygiene plan will ensure a safe visit to the exhibition.

The slogan for FACHPACK 2021 is “We create the future”. “FACHPACK 2021 is the “place to be” for anyone who wants to know what will be in demand in the packaging sector in the future and who has missed the networking and face-to-face interaction in the last one and a half years,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse.

Around 690 exhibitors* have registered so far, including numerous prestigious packaging machine and packaging material manufacturers. They are currently preparing for their appearance in the seven exhibition halls. The latest list of exhibitors and a floor plan are available online. As well as the exhibitor stands, FACHPACK is once again offering an extensive and wide-ranging supporting programme.

myFACHPACK: the digital extension to the on-site event

A new feature this year is myFACHPACK, the digital extension to FACHPACK that facilitates matchmaking and knowledge transfer and extends the on-site event into the virtual environment. Even in the run-up to the trade fair, the new tool provides opportunities for networking and thus enables users to efficiently prepare for their visit. In addition, the forum programmes will be live streamed during the event and made available afterwards. The myFACHPACK tool can be used on your desktop or as an app on your mobile phone.

PACKBOX, TECHBOX and INNOVATIONBOX forums

The two forums PACKBOX (Hall 7) and TECHBOX (Hall 3C) are especially popular with attendees. This year they will be complemented by a new exhibitor forum on each day of the event. INNOVATIONBOX (Hall 4) will feature presentations by renowned experts as well as discussion panels.

The PACKBOX forum will have an overarching theme each day: “Consumers and Commerce” (28.9.21), “Sustainability and Innovation” (29.9.21) and “Design and Material” (30.9.21). The keynote speakers are Roman Klis from Klis Design, Matthias Giebel from B & P Consultants, and Katrin Oeding from Studio Oeding. The lead topics in the TECHBOX forum are “Resources and Sustainability” (28.9.21), “Innovation and Economic Efficiency” (29.9.21) and “Digitization and Transformation” (30.9.21). Along with many other presenters, Vera Fritsche from the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Division, Sonja Bähr from consulting agency Tilisco, speakers from the internationally renowned consultancy Mintel and from Italian packaging machinery manufacturers association UCIMA will provide insights into the latest developments on the packaging market. The complete programme for all three forums is available online at: FACHPACK.de/programm.

Special show “Sustainable Packaging Design” in Hall 7

More and more consumers value a sustainable lifestyle. This is not just about the products they buy, but also the packaging, so they want attractive yet environmentally friendly design. The special show “Sustainable Packaging Design” in Hall 7, a collaboration between NürnbergMesse und bayern design, will present especially successful examples of sustainable packaging design and inspire visitors looking for their own packaging solutions.

Start-ups at the subsidised pavilion and in the PACKBOX forum

Fresh, unconventional ideas are always in demand and that’s exactly what start-ups have to offer at FACHPACK. Start-ups from the packaging industry can be found at the pavilion for innovative young companies subsided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWI) and in the international start-up area in Hall 7A. At both locations they will be showcasing their innovative products and processes to interested packaging specialists. In this conjunction, an exciting feature will also be the first FACHPACK Start-Up Slam in the PACKBOX forum on Thursday 30 September, which will explore the question of whether start-ups are the No. 1 innovation driver, discuss best practices, and share information on the keys to success.

Awards ceremonies: putting the spotlight on the best in the business

At FACHPACK 2021 the stage is once again set for the presentation of the German Packaging Award, the most prestigious European showcase of packaging excellence. This accolade is awarded by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) and presented in ten categories on the first day of the exhibition. In its capacity as premium partner, FACHPACK presents the award for young talent. The winners of the packaging award are also eligible to compete for the WorldStar of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Following a successful debut in 2019, the Sustainability Awards organised by British trade journal Packaging Europe will once again be presented on the third day of the event during the PACKBOX forum.

Other pavilions and meeting points

For the third time now there will be an Associations’ Pavilion in Hall 6. In this networking area, around a dozen associations will provide information and advice about their services and insights into national differences in the packaging sector in Europe. The “Labels and More” pavilion will also be back this year.

Hygiene plan makes in-person networking possible

Extensive protective measures and a comprehensive hygiene plan have been developed to ensure the safety of participants in the fair. Contactless payment, online ticket booking, hand sanitising stations, an ultra-modern ventilation system for exhibition halls and congress rooms, and digital tools for registration of admissions and contact tracing are just a few examples of the precautions that will be in place. “Community areas” in the exhibition halls will allow face-to-face networking in compliance with social distancing rules.

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