Upcoming Trade Shows Essen, Germany for Metal Working Industries

Essen has established itself as a centre for innovation in one of metalworking industry’s crucial sub-sectors; metal packaging. The chief reason is METPACK, which showcases the latest tech advancements and presents a forum for addressing pressing global challenges. By prioritising sustainability and digitalization, the metal packaging industry is setting the stage for future growth while meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving marketplace. The industry’s top innovations took centre stage with the METPACK Innovation Awards, where entries from 19 companies competed to showcase new solutions that enhance sustainability, quality, and cost efficiency in metal packaging. Among the highly anticipated awards, Koenig & Bauer MetalPrint took the Gold for its groundbreaking “MetalControl” system. This high-performance UV LED system revolutionises ink curing for metal packaging, eliminating the need for mercury and, as a result, significantly reducing ozone emissions and radiation. The system represents a leap forward in eco-friendly and efficient metal packaging technology. The METPACK Conference added another layer of value to Essen’s metalworking industry by facilitating knowledge exchange on critical topics in the industry. Nine international experts presented their latest research and innovations, covering topics from advanced coating thickness regulation to food safety assessments for BPA-NI coatings in metal packaging. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about ArcelorMittal Europe’s closed-loop coating techniques, Henkel’s food contact safety initiatives, and Stolle Machinery’s innovations for better metal cans. This year’s fair also emphasised sustainability as a cornerstone of future metal packaging practices. Decarbonization and resource efficiency featured prominently in discussions, driven by growing environmental regulations and consumer demand for sustainable products. METPACK’s focus on eco-friendly solutions reflects the broader shift within the metal packaging industry to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance or cost efficiency.