Sustainability Offensive at FACHPACK 2024

Sustainability is a recurring theme in the packaging industry. This is also the case at FACHPACK 2024, which takes place in Nuremberg from September 24 to 26. Companies, associations, and scientists will be presenting pioneering technologies and products at the Exhibition Center Nuremberg. Networked and inspired, the European packaging industry is setting course for a sustainable future from here.

Like NürnbergMesse, FACHPACK itself is also committed to sustainability. “Our events are global platforms for sustainable innovations,” emphasizes Peter Ottmann, CEO of NürnbergMesse. As one of the 15 largest exhibition companies in the world, NürnbergMesse is committed to taking responsibility and aligning its actions with the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations.

NürnbergMesse was among the finalists for the German Sustainability Award 2023 for its long-standing commitment to sustainability. For the first time this year, NürnbergMesse, Messe Frankfurt, Messe Stuttgart, Hamburg Messe und Congress and Messe Freiburg were nominated in the "Leisure and Events" category for the "Event and Trade Fair Industry" sector. 

In 2021, Messe Nürnberg has anchored numerous initiatives and projects in a sustainability strategy, outlined the ten most important fields of action and summarized them in a sustainability compass. In order to make sustainable action transparent, a voluntary sustainability report was published for the first time in 2021. NürnbergMesse has been listed in the German Sustainability Code since 2022 and, as a member of "rightandfair", sets an example for ecological, economic, and social commitment in the event industry. The exhibition company is a pioneer in Germany with a photovoltaic system with second-life battery storage, DGNB-certified halls, and ISO-certified energy and environmental management.

NürnbergMesse launched its “energy offensive” back in 2015 to reduce the energy consumption of the company and its events. For example, the site and hall lighting were gradually converted to energy-saving LED lights. NürnbergMesse uses 100 percent green electricity.

Sustainable Carpet

To conserve resources, NürnbergMesse will gradually reduce the amount of carpeting laid in the coming years. For the FACHPACK forums PACKBOX and INNOVTIONBOX, a special carpet will be laid for the first time, which is to become the standard for all events in 2025. Over an area of 750 square meters, the trade fair will use the Green Expo carpet made of 100 percent recyclable Premium Eco-Rips, which is collected after use, granulated and then reused as a secondary raw material. This means that 23 percent less CO2 is required during production.

Event-related signage on the site will be reduced, instead, the “myLocation” digital navigation and information system will be consistently used. In addition, there will be uniform, cross-event exhibitor and visitor badges that will only be individually printed in black and white on site if required. They are made of recyclable material and can be used equally by all events.

FACHPACK: Sustainable Stand Construction

As part of their service offering for trade fair participation, the Servicep partners offer reusable stand construction. The Servicep partners Holtmann+ and Messebau Wörnlein offer exhibitors at FACHPACK 2024 needs-oriented stand construction solutions. Whether system stand construction or individual stand construction, the use of reusable and durable stand construction components and environmentally friendly consumables can make any stand concept more sustainable. Short transportation routes, local production wherever possible and the processing of wood waste are guaranteed. The trade fair appearance in Nuremberg can therefore be implemented in line with the principle of "reduce - reuse - recycle".  FACHPACK also relies on the repeated use of materials and advertising media in special areas such as exhibitor forums, start-up areas and quiet zones.

The topic of waste recovery and recycling also plays a central role during the events at the Exhibition Center Nuremberg. In cooperation with their partner “Ressourcen Werk Nürnberg”, all waste generated during construction, running time, and dismantling is separated by type and fed into the recycling process. The sorting rate is 99 percent. NürnbergMesse has been cooperating with PFANDNETZWERK since December 2022. By purchasing three large deposit garbage cans for the exhibition grounds, all deposit bottles are used for the recycling cycle. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the deposit bottles are donated to Straßenkreuzer e.V. This creates and secures jobs for socially disadvantaged people in Nuremberg.