From 23 to 25 September 2025 the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg will once again be the meeting place of the European packaging industry. The key theme of FACHPACK, “Transition In Packaging”, describes the powerful influences currently impacting on the European packaging industry, and brings key future-oriented themes into focus: high expectations in terms of sustainability, new packaging regulations, the digital transformation and artificial intelligence are dominating industry discussions and innovations. FACHPACK perceives itself as a guide, and offers interaction and direction. “The packaging industry is on the move and faces major challenges,” observes Phuong Anh Do, Director FACHPACK at NürnbergMesse. “At FACHPACK we not only exhibit interesting new product developments but also discuss specific answers to the most pressing questions. A wealth of commitment, a focus on solutions and future-oriented thinking are central to the packaging industry. This momentum makes it a powerful and resilient part of the economy with long-term viability. The three days of the trade fair will now give trade visitors the opportunity to experience this power of innovation firsthand.” The key theme of the trade fair will be reflected at the stands of the 1,387 exhibitors, in the extensive lecture programme, in the fascinating special shows and themed pavilions, and in the award presentations. Some 38,000 visitors from the consumer and industrial goods industries are expected.
FACHPACK provides a compact yet comprehensive overview of the entire process chain of packaging solutions for industrial and consumer goods. Innovations will be on display in eleven exhibition halls, presented by 1,387 exhibitors, 47 percent of whom come from outside Germany. Topping the national representation list are companies from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Greece, the Czech Republic, France and Turkey.
Once again, the trade fair will be split into two core areas. About 59 percent of the exhibitors represent the packaging sector, in other words packaging materials and packaging accessories. Forty-one percent are from the packaging technology area, i.e. packaging machines, labelling systems and automation. The package printing and finishing segments and internal logistics are also covered at FACHPACK, underlining the comprehensive nature of the event.
Trade fair with a practical focus for an agile and innovative sector
Once again in 2025, FACHPACK will be host to all the big names in the packaging industry, and also many SMEs which will find their customers here. “FACHPACK once again delivers more specific answers to genuine requirements,” asserts Do. “The packaging industry can be really proud of itself. It is responding to the most pressing challenges of our age with impressive speed and power of innovation. We can see how companies display great agility and creativity in developing new solutions that have a genuine effect. As the event manager for FACHPACK I can see for myself just how much commitment, expertise and forward thinking there is in this sector, fully in line with our slogan, ‘We create the future!’”
Forum programme looks at pressing questions in the sector
FACHPACK perceives itself as a driving force for the sector. In addition to the extensive product exhibition, this will also be evident from the lecture programme in the forums PACKBOX (Hall 4), INNOVATIONBOX (Hall 7) and SOLPACK 6.0 (Hall 3), and also in the SPEAKERS’ CORNER (Hall 3). All forums deal with industry themes of current interest.
The programme at PACKBOX is designed and moderated by key partners to the packaging industry, and all interested parties are invited to listen or join the discussion.
Highlights in the lecture calendar for 2025 include:
- Ready for change? Reusable packaging as a competitive advantage in cosmetics for brands and retailers
- Innovative solutions for sustainable packaging
- Bridging the recylate gap by credit trading - CRC
- PPWR Challenges 2030
- Purposeful Transformation: Creating value through inclusive and smart design
- Climate Change: Global obstacle or innovation driver in packaging
- Global packaging trends
- Packaging innovations in a field of tension
- Polymers and fibre materials for better packaging
- Is my packaging sustainable? – The elbpackguide portal supports informed decision-making
- Technology trends in packaging machinery with a focus on digitalization, AI and robotics
- Minimalism in packaging printing – how does it actually work?
At INNOVATIONBOX, registered exhibitors will introduce their new product developments and process innovations in short, punchy presentations. The programme will be moderated and curated by Petra Bindl and Leandra Fili. The SOLPACK 6.0 forum is dedicated to sustainable packaging solutions and is moderated by Peter Desiléts of the sustainability agency pacoon GmbH. The SPEAKER’S CORNER is the venue for newcomers and start-ups to present their product highlights and innovations in short, punchy presentations. All information on PACKBOX, INNOVATIONBOX, SOLPACK 6.0 and Speaker’s Corner is available online on the Forums sub-page.
Pavilions: Launch of new stand “Converting meets Packaging”
New at FACHPACK 2025 is the “Converting meets Packaging” pavilion in Hall 7, organized by FACHPACK in collaboration with M2N Media, publisher of the media hubs PRO Flexconvert and PRO Flextronics. It is already fully booked with seven exhibitors. This innovative platform will focus on the close connection between the converting industry and the packaging sector. The goal is to promote communication between converters on the one hand and manufacturers of packaging machines and packaging on the other, and to identify potentials for improved collaboration.
FACHPACK 2025 will also host the “Alternative Packaging Solutions” pavilion for the second time. This is where examples of alternatives to traditional materials will be presented, along with an insight into what could be possible in the future. At the fully booked pavilion in Hall 3, 15 companies will present innovations such as grass paper and leaf paper products, compostable plastic bags, upholstery material made from grain husks, and much more. The SOLPACK 6.0 forum is also part of this pavilion, and offers visitors a diverse programme on all three days of the fair with around 41 interesting presentations on topics such as reusability, packaging solutions from alternative materials, AI, and also the use and origin of recycled materials.
And naturally, FACHPACK 2025 would not be complete without the popular “Labels & More” pavilion in Hall 7. All details are available on the FACHPACK sub-page Pavilions.
Start-ups offer a breath of fresh air
On 22 September, the day before FACHPACK, leading players in the European packaging start-up scene will be brought together for the first time at the FuturePack Summit, organized by Futury GmbH in collaboration with FACHPACK and EIT Food. The aim is to offer packaging innovators a powerful platform where they can present their solutions shortly before the official start of FACHPACK 2025.
Anyone on the lookout for fresh, unconventional ideas and products to resolve packaging questions during their visit to FACHPACK will also find these this year among the start-ups in the packaging sector in Hall 3. Awaiting visitors are the “Young Innovators” pavilion for young, innovative companies, sponsored by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), and the “Newcomers Pavilion”, which provides a platform where first-time exhibitors at FACHPACK and international newcomers to the sector can introduce themselves and their innovative products and services to the experts.
WOMEN4PACKAGING enters the next round
The networking event WOMEN4PACKAGING for women in the packaging industry goes into its second round at mid-day on the first day of the fair (Tuesday, 23 September, Brussels Room, NCC Mitte). It offers female players from the sector a unique opportunity to network at the venue, inspire one another, and discuss the latest topics and trends in the packaging industry. Participants can look forward to discussions with Steffanie Rainer from reo, Sabine Kästner from Lavera, Simone Mosca from Mosca, Julia Knobloch from Werner & Mertz, Julia Botos from the Carton Group, and also Vanessa Büning and Jasmin Duensing from Tchibo.
New industry talents in focus: Students Day on Thursday
The STUDENTS DAY on the third day of the fair (25 September) brings companies and new talents in the packaging industry together. At the invitation of FACHPACK and the German Packaging Institute (dvi), a large number of students from the German-speaking region will meet in workshops with professionals from packaging companies and brand companies such as Tchibo, Smurfit Westrock, HERMA, Henkel, ETIMEX, Lindt and Pöppelmann. The event guarantees to provide lively discussions on the key topic of sustainability, the opportunity to establish valuable contacts, and information on specific jobs in the packaging industry.
Achievements honoured: German Packaging Award
On the first day of the fair, it will once again be “curtain up!” and the stage will be set for a total of 37 winners of the German Packaging Award, Europe’s top showcase for all aspects of packaging. More than 200 submissions from 15 countries were submitted in advance for personal inspection and assessment. The German Packaging Award is presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) in ten categories. The presentation will take place in the Munich Room, NCC Mitte, from 16:30. As a premium partner, FACHPACK will once again present the special award for young talents. This distinction recognizes the best packaging designs by school pupils, apprentices and students.
Sector in transition: Seizing opportunities in a dynamic environment
The German packaging industry strives to maintain a balance between economic influences, regulatory pressure and structural changes. And this is where it reveals its strengths: Diversity, power of innovation and an ability to keep on reinventing itself. As a supplier to the foodstuffs, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, online trading and logistics, the industry is broad-based and an essential partner to many sectors.
In 2024, the packaging industry achieved revenue in the order of €30.5 billion, a significant increase. Even if the forecasts for the coming years indicate that this trend may decline slightly, this figure remains significant: Revenue of almost €20 billion was generated in Germany, and another €10.5 billion internationally. Representing more than 119,000 employees, the packaging sector is also a significant employer and a pillar supporting industrial added value in Germany.
The overall conditions facing the industry pose challenges: fluctuating demand, rising prices for raw materials, and global uncertainties. But there are opportunities at the same time. There is a growing focus on sustainability, recycling and the circular economy, in addition to smart technologies and innovative materials. Many companies are taking the time to structure their processes more efficiently, make their supply chains more resilient, and develop new business models.
This is where FACHPACK 2025 comes in. Much more than just a trade fair, it is the central platform that brings the industry together to talk about the latest developments and shape the future together. Its supporting programme covers sustainable materials, digital technologies, automation and stable supply chains. FACHPACK is where the right experts meet to share ideas, forge partnerships and provide new inspiration for the industry.
For more information on the market, development and trends, see the FACHPACK news portal FACHPACK360°.
