FACHPACK 2025 and the parallel POWTECH TECHNOPHARM made a big impression in Nuremberg. For three days, the exhibition centre was transformed into a vibrant industry meeting place, where topics such as the circular economy, regulations, automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence took centre stage. “The European packaging industry is undergoing change and presented itself at FACHPACK as extremely innovative and solution-oriented,” explained Phuong Anh Do, Director of FACHPACK, proudly. “The quality of the trade visitors was excellent. It is this special hands-on mentality that gives the industry its strength and plays into the hands of the FACHPACK motto: We are shaping the future together.”
FACHPACK 2025 delivered particularly impressive results thanks to the strong synergies with the parallel POWTECH TECHNOPHARM and the PARTEC expert forum. In fact, one in four Fachpack visitors also visited POWTECH TECHNOPHARM – and vice versa for one in three. “The interaction we expected took place here,” said Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse, on FACHPACK TV. The FACHPACK and POWTECH TECHNOPHARM trade fairs, which were accessible with a single ticket, together covered everything related to the processing, manufacture and packaging of products. The fact that the target customers of both fairs overlap and that the two areas are closely linked provided the basis for a professional exchange that only this trade fair duo could offer.
As a driving force in the industry, FACHPACK 2025 showcased its diversity not only in the exhibition area, but also in a high-calibre forum programme. PACKBOX, INNOVATIONBOX, SOLPACK 6.0 and SPEAKERS' CORNER addressed the most pressing issues in the world of packaging.
PACKBOX in Hall 4 once again proved to be the heart of the discourse. Experts, brand manufacturers and machine builders met here to discuss key industry topics: from reusability as a competitive advantage in cosmetics to the mandatory use of recycled materials from 2030 onwards and the challenges of the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR). Climate change, global trends and digital technologies such as AI and robotics were also hotly debated. The combination of strategic vision and practical solutions made the PACKBOX one of the most visited forum areas at the trade fair.
The INNOVATIONBOX focused on the successful application of new materials, technologies and corporate strategy. Exhibitors presented their latest product developments and process innovations in concise short presentations. Moderated by Petra Bindl and Leandra Fili, this format provided a stage for quick insights, condensed knowledge transfer and direct exchange between developers and the specialist audience. Whether smart materials, digital tools or sustainable processes – the INNOVATIONBOX was the hotspot for visitors who wanted to gain an overview of the most exciting innovations in a short space of time.
The SOLPACK 6.0 forum, curated by Peter Desiléts from the sustainability agency pacoon, was consistently dedicated to the topics of circular economy, alternative materials and resource conservation. More than 30 presentations dealt with reusable models, the use of recycled materials, AI-supported recycling solutions and innovative raw material sources such as grass and leaf fibres. The combination with the ‘Alternative Packaging Solutions’ pavilion in the immediate vicinity made it clear that sustainability is no longer a marginal issue, but a central driver of transformation in the industry.
The second edition of the WOMEN4PACKAGING network meeting on the first day of the trade fair made a particularly strong impression. Around 200 female experts from the packaging industry came together to learn from each other, discuss best practices and expand their network in a targeted manner. “WOMEN4PACKAGING is about creating a safe space for women where they can exchange ideas, find sparring partners and discuss openly without pressure to prove themselves,” explains Sonja Bähr, moderator of the networking event from BPC Berndt+Partner Creality.
At five tables, participants could choose between two presentations by a total of seven speakers – including representatives from Mosca, Tchibo, Werner & Mertz, Lavera, reo and the Carton Group – on self-efficacy, the circular economy and pioneering work for a circular future. “The atmosphere was very focused, lots of questions were asked, and I was delighted with the lively exchange. After all, that is the goal of WOMEN4PACKAGING: to learn from each other, make contacts and know who to turn to when questions arise.”
The format once again confirmed how important female perspectives and diversity are for the future of the packaging industry.
The FuturePack Summit, organised for the first time by FACHPACK in collaboration with the innovation and sustainability platform Futury and EIT Food on the eve of the trade fair, also brought a breath of fresh air. Around 100 start-ups from all over Europe presented their ideas for the packaging world of tomorrow – from new materials and digital tools to innovative business models.
During the trade fair itself, the BMWK joint stand ‘Young Innovators’, the Newcomer Pavilion and the SPEAKERS' CORNER offered further space for young companies and first-time exhibitors. Visitors were able to experience first-hand the unconventional approaches that the next generation of the packaging industry is taking to advance sustainability, digitalisation and the circular economy. From wild plastic that is turned into new products to more sustainable big bags and new applications for the environmentally friendly packaging classic cellophane, there were exciting topics for discussion with committed newcomers on the exhibition floor.
Once again, one of the highlights of FACHPACK 2025 was the presentation of the German Packaging Award. In front of around 280 guests in the Munich Hall of the NCC Mitte, the German Packaging Institute (dvi) honoured 37 innovations. “Over 200 submissions from 15 different countries show what makes the German Packaging Award so special and what we are so proud of: one of the largest European exhibitions,” said Alexander Schmelzer, Project Manager for Packaging Trends at the dvi, during his introduction to the award ceremony.
The three Gold Awards were particularly celebrated: to AeroFlexx for a novel liquid packaging with airframe technology, to DACHSER for the ‘Retail Box’ as a sustainable reusable system in logistics, and to the Gropper dairy for a single-type recyclable PP monomaterial cup for RTD coffee. “Innovations drive us forward. We see this every time at the German Packaging Awards,” emphasised NürnbergMesse CEO Peter Ottmann in his speech.
