Demonstrations against the flood of waste and calls for more environmental protection in the 1980s and 1990s led to the Packaging Ordinance, can deposits and dual systems. The discussion about environmentally friendly packaging is nothing new, but has reached a new height recently with “ocean littering” and the public debate about plastic.
FachPack, the European trade fair for packaging, processes and technology, therefore made “Environmentally friendly packaging” its key theme for 2019. It provides an opportunity for companies in the packaging industry to present their innovative solutions and new approaches at the fair and discuss them with customers - at their stands, in lecture forums, in special shows, and at award ceremonies. But what exactly does “environmentally friendly packaging” mean? And what will be on show on the subject at FachPack, at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 24 to 26 September 2019?
“To make the key theme of ‘Environmentally friendly packaging’ clearer, we have divided it into four areas,” explains Cornelia Fehlner, Director Exhibition FachPack at NürnbergMesse. “Specifically, it’s all about recycled packaging, materials that help to save resources, reusable packaging and systems, and new processes that go easy on the environment.” Products that fit one or more of these four categories are specially marked in the exhibitor and product database on the FachPack website. Visitors with an interest in recycled packaging, for example, can draw up a list containing all the relevant products from the exhibiting companies on this subject and learn about them in advance. At the fair, too, the exhibitors in the four key theme categories are specially identified to make them easier for interested visitors to find. The FachPack exhibitor and product database is available at: www.fachpack.de/exhibitors-products.
PackBox and TechBox forums: inspiring product presentations
Besides the exhibition stands, information on the key theme will be available at the two forums, PackBox and TechBox, which will be the venue for about 70 product presentations on all three days of the fair. At the PackBox Forum in Hall 7, which deals with the topics of packaging, packaging printing and finishing in general, the focus will be on sustainability on the first day of the fair, 24 September 2019. Three examples: the highly topical contributions by IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, which are all about environmentally friendly design, recycling objectives and use of raw materials, and the fundamental question of the image and reputation of plastic packaging; in its country slots, the World Packaging Organization (WPO) will report on the current status of the Circular Economy in Europe; and experts from HPE will discuss the question “Is wood the packaging material that will save the climate, and how can sustainability activities be assured?” in the subject area “Packaging from Nature”.
The TechBox Forum in Hall 4 puts the spotlight on packaging technology and logistics, and also illustrates the subject of recycling. The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), for example, will deal in depth with the current technological challenges relating to recyclable packaging. New biodegradable and sustainable packaging materials are the focus of a further lecture slot. And the Packaging Excellence Center (PEC) will deal with the question of how sustainable strategies can help plant operators to reduce their environmental footprint. For the full programme for PackBox and TechBox: www.fachpack.de/programme
Special show “Premium Packaging” in Hall 8
The special show “Premium Packaging” (Hall 8) was held for the first time at the previous FachPack, and proved an instant success with the public. This year, the special show, arranged by NürnbergMesse in collaboration with bayern design, is focusing on the topic of “Environmentally friendly premium packaging”. It asks the question, “What contribution can design make toward sustainable packaging?” The innovative product examples at the special show demonstrate that good design and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive. And consumers appreciate packaging that is good for the environment. The products on show illustrate how harmony can be achieved between successful brand identity, first-rate design and sustainable packaging. They are a source of ideas and set new trends in the packaging industry. For information on this and other special shows: www.fachpack.de/specialshows
Award presentations: “And the winner is…”
Prizes will be presented at FachPack 2019 for particular successes in environmentally friendly packaging. On the first day of the fair, 24 September 2019, the German Packaging Institute (dvi) will present the highly regarded German Packaging Award for packaging solutions from Germany and abroad in nine categories. In the Sustainability category, submitted products will be assessed from the perspectives of recyclability, environmental benefits, material selection, re-usability, and conservation of resources.
On 25 September, the winners of the Sustainability Awards will be announced for the first time, in categories including “Bio-based Packaging”, “Recyclable Packaging” and “Best Sustainable Packaging Innovation”. The Sustainability Awards are presented by the UK magazine Packaging Europe. The winners of both the German Packaging Award and the Sustainability Awards will qualify to participate in the WPO WorldStar Awards.
