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1,400 square meters of focused community and diversity From 24 to 26 September, it's that time of the year again: Fachpack is calling, and the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg will be transformed into a hotspot for innovation, technological trends and networking. On an area of around 1,400m², Packaging Valley Germany e.V. brings together 27 top companies in the industry and demonstrates the impressive innovative strength and diversity of its members. Diversity connects: As an industry compass, source of inspiration and one of the most important trade fairs in the packaging industry, Fachpack is an indispensable part of Packaging Valley. The trade fair will focus on packaging trends and developments in the packaging industry, including the key topics, sustainability, technology and processes. This is where the European packaging market meets and brings together the industry players to collectively provide fresh impetus and groundbreaking innovations. This year, Packaging Valley will be presenting itself with an impressive joint stand of around 1,400 square metres, where 27 co-exhibitors will present their technologies and forward-looking solutions and provide answers to the most pressing global questions facing the packaging industry. True to the slogan of Fachpack "We make the future", the Packaging Valley joint stand unites its’ diverse network and shows how the combined power of a cluster can become an engine for progress and innovation. Visitors can look forward to a wide range of exhibits and are invited to experience packaging trends up close, to engage in direct and P2P conversation with experts and be inspired by the diversity and excellence of the member companies.

"Fachpack is one of the most important trade fairs for our members in packaging technology. Together with the exhibiting member companies, the Packaging Valley co-operative stand brings together a broad range of its’ products and services, and is worth the visit to Nuremburg in and of itself.”, emphasizes Packaging Valley Managing Director Martin Buchwitz.

New barrier coating machine is a milestone for innovation Sappi Europe, a global leader in paper-based packaging solutions, has made significant advancements in its flexible packaging papers division. As market leader in fibre-based flexible packaging paper solutions, Sappi has over decades of expertise in papermaking and coatings. The company’s teams of engineers and application specialists are acknowledged around the world for their profound knowledge and exceptionally innovative approaches. Sappi Europe’s investment in a new barrier coating machine at its Alfeld site represents a milestone in further supporting high-value innovation. Sappi Europe leverages a combination of high-end technologies and in-depth know-how in its endeavour to develop solutions that deliver advanced speciality papers and coatings to an ever-changing, growing market. Over recent years, the paper manufacturer has made strategic investments to bolster its position as an innovation leader in the flexible packaging market. Notable milestones include the transformation of the PM2 in Alfeld in 2014 from a graphic to a packaging paper machine, as well as the acquisition of the Cham Paper Group in 2018. The latest milestone was the introduction of a cutting-edge barrier coating machine in 2023. These investments highlight the company’s dedication to evolving along with market demand and to further enhancing production capabilities.

The Lindt & Sprüngli Group, KIlchberg, had once again a successful first half of the year in 2024, increasing sales by +7.0% to CHF 2.16 bn in organic terms.  

The increase was supported by mid-single-digit price increases in the first half of the year to offset higher cocoa prices, as well as solid volume/mix growth of +0.9%. The EBIT margin increased to 13.5% (previous year 12.2%), with an EBIT of CHF 292.3 m.

This improvement was mainly driven by efficiency gains and price increases, compensating for higher cocoa material costs. The Group is confident that it will reach the objectives announced for the full year 2024, with sales growth in the range of 6–8% and an EBIT margin increase expected at the upper end of the 20–40 basis points range.

All regional segments show positive growth. The Europe segment increased sales organically by a strong +9.3% to CHF 1.07 bn in the first half. Growth was most pronounced in France, the United Kingdom, and Central and Eastern Europe, with double-digit growth. Italy, Germany, and Switzerland continued to show solid growth.

The North America segment showed organic sales growth of +3.0% to CHF 794.6 m. Lindt & Sprüngli USA, Ghirardelli, and Lindt & Sprüngli Canada outperformed the market, gaining market share. The “Rest of the World” segment achieved strong organic sales growth of +10.0% to CHF 293.2 m. Notably, the subsidiaries in Japan and Brazil achieved double-digit growth rates in the first half of the year.

The Group’s direct-to-consumer channels, which include retail and online stores, have shown strong development, with double-digit growth compared to the previous year (+15.8%), driven mainly by a demand for gifting. Sales in the Group’s around 530 own stores grew both on a like-for-like basis and through the addition of new store locations. Personalization continues to be a key driver. Notable Easter success includes the personalized Gold Bunny, with name printed ribbon. The key franchise Lindor, the largest brand in the product portfolio, continues to drive growth in all regions. Additionally, the dark chocolate key franchise Excellence accelerated growth in the first six months.

While energy prices and supply security have stabilized, and prices for other raw materials and packaging have remained constant, the cost of cocoa continues to be a challenge, reaching record levels. The Group will partly mitigate the impact of rising cocoa prices through strict cost management, though further price increases will be needed. On the demand side, the global chocolate market continues to show its resilience with positive value sales development. However, with inflationary price effects, sales volumes in the global chocolate market have either stagnated or slightly declined depending on the product category and market. In these market conditions, Lindt & Sprüngli’s brands show strength and resilience, growing market share in all key markets.

The Herma eco applicator opens up new options for standard applications. The Herma eco applicator is designed for a diverse range of standard applications. It combines outstanding cost-effectiveness and high quality with a level of engineering and manufacturing quality which is unusually high for this market segment. "This means value retention, durability and investment security, even in the entry-level segment. After all, the HERMA eco is produced on the same production line in Filderstadt, Germany, as the high-performance Herma 500," emphasizes Martin Kühl, Head of the Labeling Machines division. Costing the same as the predecessor model Herma basic, the Herma eco boasts a multitude of new features. Integration of the new Herma eco into a packaging system and therefore into a higher-level control system (PLC) is now as extensive and convenient as never before in this Herma performance class. This is made possible by, among other things, a series of additional I/O signals. In conjunction with the system control unit, these signals enable, for example, the automatic power on/power off function, separate starting of the labeling process as well as manual label dispensing, which is an advantage especially when setting up an applicator. Thanks to these signals, end-of-reel checking is now also possible. Furthermore, the printer and the peel system will in future each have their own connections that can be monitored separately. As a result, it will be possible to use, for example, a printer in combination with a pneumatic transfer unit, which will significantly expand the flexibility and possible applications of the new Herma eco. The Herma eco is therefore well prepared, not least because it has a master encoder function. This function enables continuous and automatic synchronization with the speed of the conveyor belt. It ensures precision, even at the maximum speed of up to 30 m/min for labels with a width of up to 160 mm.

Fachpack: Hall 3C, Stand 322

Many different approaches for more sustainable packaging solutions will be offered. With the new EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) along with increasing demands for climate protection across the board, the packaging industry will have more than enough to discuss at this year’s Fachpack. ‘Transition in Packaging’ is the event’s fitting motto from 24 to 26 September 2024 in Nuremberg. Visitors to the fair will have an opportunity to find out about the full range of sustainable, cost-effective solutions that Schubert, the packaging machine manufacturer from Crailsheim, has developed for consumer goods manufacturers at Stand 1-244 in Hall 1. As an example for the new ‘Power Compact’ machine concept – high output in the smallest space with lean yet high-quality technology – a bar packer with a single-lane erector and feeding via the Comfort Feeder will be in operation at the stand. The Schubert experts will also be demonstrating how further sustainability potential through the interaction between packaging and machine technology can be harnessed. The international sustainability megatrend is certainly nothing new for Schubert: With its Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative, the machine manufacturer has set itself ambitious goals that have already resulted in a multitude of specific measures. These are also detailed in the Schubert ANNUAL 2023 – the combined annual and sustainability report for the year 2023 – published for the first time earlier this year.

The company Van Genechten Packaging, Turnhout, has acquired 100% of the shares of the Polish DOT2DOT Group, which operates from two locations in Poland.  

The group of companies, with a combined annual turnover exceeding € 50 m, specialises in premium packaging for the beauty, confectionery, personal & health care, and premium spirits sectors. DOT2DOT SA, in its present form with their current locations in Gdansk and Warsaw, is the result of the 2017 merger of three Polish companies in the packaging industry: Graf-Pozu; Druk Markuszewscy; and Drukpol. DOT2DOT was owned by a subsidiary of a fund managed by Abris Capital Partners.

With DOT2DOT’s solid customer base, advanced packaging design, and robust production capabilities, they are the perfect partner to join our VGP growth strategy. The transaction is subject to the usual anti-trust approvals. “Apart from sharing the same DNA, we are leveraging our capabilities in several strategic market segments. With this acquisition, we are not only strengthening our European market position in premium packaging but also significantly extending our multinational customer base. We look forward to a successful collaboration and the exciting opportunities ahead,” explains Frank Ohle, CEO of Van Genechten Packaging Group.

A guidance to support the environmental assessment of flexible packaging solutions from a life cycle thinking perspective has just been provided by the European flexible packaging industry. It was elaborated by the environmental sustainability consultancy Quantis in collaboration with experts from six European flexible packaging converting companies and the association Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) and its content is publicly available. The guidance for life cycle assessment (LCA) of flexible packaging aims to ease the process of conducting LCAs involving flexible packaging and reduce documentation requirements. It is intended for use by LCA practitioners along the flexible packaging value chain but can also be of help for reviewers of such LCAs who have the methodological knowledge but not the necessary product related expertise. The content addresses the relevant and accepted LCA standards, and in the case of existing gaps in numbers or methodology, it provides average data and applicable solutions. Specialists of the flexible packaging industry have been involved in developing the guidance in order to achieve a high level of expertise with the aim to align different methodologies for LCAs of flexible packaging systems and ensure consistency in approach and quality across the industry.

You can find more images for use in the context of this press release in the gallery on our website: https://www.flexpack-europe.org/galleries 

Under the motto "Your success is our motivation", Somic will be celebrating its 50th anniversary together with its customers at Fachpack this year. Somic has been setting standards in the packaging industry for half a century. The highly dynamic and fully automated cartoning machines set standards in user-friendliness and availability - worldwide. Thanks to continuous innovation and valuable expert knowledge, Somic offers customized solutions that not only increase efficiency, but also focus on flexibility and reliability. Customers from all over the world benefit from the high degree of automation of Somic packaging machines. This helps to optimize production processes and increase competitiveness. Customers can always rely on the highest quality and durability. Visitors to Fachpack can find out about the latest trends and technologies in carton packaging in an appealing and inviting atmosphere. The SOMIC company anniversary will also be celebrated in style.

Fachpack: Hall 1, Stand 215.

After an economically challenging 2023, the industry is cautiously optimistic about the future and is forecasting moderate growth for 2024. The members of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) met for their annual summer conference in June, this time in Copenhagen. The meeting provided a valuable platform for the exchange of information which included an update on developments in the North American market, presented by the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA). A key topic of the conference was the upcoming implementation of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The members are preparing intensively to fulfil the new requirements and ensure their competitiveness at the same time. The industry is willing to engage in the upcoming processes which will define the details of the legislation. "We are proud of the strong commitment and strong support of our member companies in the association to the benefit of the entire sector," emphasises Jakob A. Mosser, Chairman of the FPE. "Together, we will master the challenges ahead and continue to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for flexible packaging." The positive mood in the association is also supported by the ongoing commitment in the areas of sustainability, market observation, public affairs, regulatory affairs and communication. Jakob Mosser commented: "The association's achievements in these key areas are outstanding. They enable us not only to respond to regulatory requirements, but also provide us with important insights to actively shape the future of our industry."