Work Group for
Sustainability

The members of the Sustainability Working Group face the challenges of creating holistic CO2-neutral and sustainable solutions and efficiently closing product and material cycles.

Sustainable solutions are in demand, but will only be able to establish themselves worldwide if they also do justice to the economic aspects and contribute to a higher quality of life through their applications. New standards are set by high energy and material efficiency in all areas of a machine. Since the majority of packaging machines "Made in Packaging Valley" are sold worldwide, a far-reaching positive influence can thus be made.

However, many interrelationships must be taken into account for a holistic view. At its core, packaging machinery manufacturing is focused on resource efficiency and high product protection. The working group also addresses the question of what the life cycle of machines and systems can look like and how their cycles can be closed in the long term. However, not only the machines and plants themselves, but also the processing of sustainable materials and CO2 neutrality in the committed companies represent central aspects.

Essential is the illumination of development potentials through expert presentations and outlooks into future-oriented technologies. In the exchange of the working group, solutions are discussed, new ideas are created and joint development projects and analyses are initiated. The companies involved benefit from these investigations, can define best practices and, in addition, actively shape our future through the progress made.

Speaker: Haiko Krais, Harro Höfliger
Sponsors: Markus Höfliger/Harro Höfliger and Dr. Johannes Rauschnabel/Syntegon
Organization: Etienne Graf; Packaging Valley

More sustainability in the packaging industry - what can machines and systems do to achieve this?

Work Group for Technology

The packaging machinery industry has always been strongly driven by technology. The products and services of Packaging Valley members are characterized by innovation and quality. Many of these companies are world market leaders and so-called hidden champions. To ensure that this remains the case in the future, it is necessary that the companies continue to be among the technological world leaders in packaging machinery manufacturing.

The Technology Trends Working Group takes up technological trend topics in order to support Packaging Valley member companies in implementing them in the form of feasible solutions in machines and systems. Together, focal points are defined, topics are worked on, impulses are set and projects are realized. The following topics are on the agenda:

• Automation technology
• VR/AR/Mixed Reality
• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
• Industry 4.0 / IoT
• Digital Services
• Digital Engineering / Digital Twin
• Sustainable plant design
• Smart service, predictive maintenance
• 5G networks, 5G usage

Speaker:
Sponsors: Dr. Johannes Rauschnabel, Syntegon und Christian Benz, Jetter
Organization: Martin Buchwitz, Packaging Valley

Work Group for Personnel and Ongoing Development

‘Strengthening the region’ in terms of career opportunities is the aim of the Work Group for Personnel and Ongoing Development. We want to present and promote the attractiveness of the region and its member companies. For skilled workers and young talent, the packaging industry here in Packaging Valley offers enormous potential and long-term development opportunities. Our new talent university marketing and collaboration with schools is a key facet of Packaging Valley. In addition to various workshops, these include the "Students meet entrepreneurs" annual event and joint appearances at recruiting fairs. For our members, and in line with the “Achieve more together” motto, we also carry out cross-company training and ongoing development courses that would otherwise be financially uninteresting to individual companies. These include seminars for mobile fitters, managers, as well as trade fair and presentation training.

Speaker: Janina Stapf, STAKO
Sponsor: Dr. Marc Funk, GF Packaging Valley
Organization: Claudia Schäfer, Packaging Valley

Work Group for
Marketing

The Marketing Work Group is made up of a group of experienced industry experts. The objective: To grow the awareness of Germany’s Packaging Valley Association worldwide and to present the packaging expertise in the region. Events such as the Packaging Valley Days serve as a platform and for knowledge transfer among the international participants. Packaging Valley presents itself at trade fairs with attractive joint stands, offering members a high level of presence and attention. Many other activities are initiated by the Marketing Work Group.

Speaker: Andreas Häußner, Rommelag
Sponsor: Sabine Gauger, Optima und Ralf Bouffleur, Rommelag
Organization: Regine Rüeck, Packaging Valley