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At this year’s Fachpack, Schubert will be impressively demonstrating that compact solutions are possible with a cartoner from its ‘lightline’ series and a new, versatile high-performance erection unit. The exceptionally agile tog.519 cobot, which will be picking biscuits at remarkable speed at a partner company’s stand, will also be on display at the trade fair.

With its lightline series, Schubert is targeting manufacturers who have standardised packaging tasks and need to be ready for production quickly. The lightline range includes cartoners, case packers, picker lines and flow-wrapping machines – all made from preconfigured modules. They enable quick planning and assembly times at extremely attractive investment costs.

Packing bars in the smallest of spaces The lightline cartoner exhibited at FACHPACK – to be seen as a bar packer at the stand – goes a long way towards achieving the targeted efficiency: thanks to a single-lane A3 erector with a vertical magazine, the machine saves a significant amount of space without ever compromising on performance. Up to 4,000 blanks fit into the cartoner’s recently developed vertical magazine, enabling the system to run continuously for 60 minutes. Schubert will also be presenting the single-lane A3 erector for the first time as a stand-alone machine unit in the form of the tog.101: “The 100% standardised tog.101 box erector guarantees high performance of up to 60 boxes per minute in a wide range of packaging lines,” says Ralf Schubert, explaining the stand-alone approach.

The tog.101 stands out not only due to its compact design and high performance, but also thanks to its ease of operation. Setting up box formats takes just a few minutes and is done simply by entering parameters such as box dimensions and glue points. A glue applicator developed with Robatech also enables glue-saving erection: the tog.101 control system adjusts the erector speed and the amount of glue applied so that just enough glue is applied to securely bond the box. This approach requires less hot melt adhesive than is customary in the industry.

The Elgin, Illinois-based Middleby Corporation, a leading worldwide manufacturer of equipment solutions for commercial foodservice, food processing, and residential kitchens, has announced the acquisition of the Darmstadt, Germany-based Oka-Spezialmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG (Oka), expanding its portfolio of Middleby Food Processing equipment innovations.  

Oka is a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial extrusion, molding, depositing and cutting industrial production equipment in bakery, confectionery and pet-food markets. The company has annual revenues of USD 12 m.

“Oka is a perfect complement and strategic fit, adding important product categories to our solutions for bakery customers. Oka is known for its advanced engineering capabilities, with an ability to provide unique and high-value customer-driven solutions,” said Tim FitzGerald, Middleby CEO. “We expect meaningful sales synergies, as this further enhances our full-line bakery solution offerings to new and existing customers, while also expanding Oka’s reach beyond the German market.”

The acquisition further strengthens Middleby’s ability to provide long term shareholder value in the food processing business after the spinoff is completed in 2026. The Middleby Corporation develops and manufactures a broad line of solutions used in commercial foodservice, food processing, and residential kitchens. Middleby showcases its advanced solutions in the Middleby Innovation Kitchens for commercial foodservice, industrial baking and protein Innovation Centers for food processing solutions and state-of-the-art, award-winning Middleby Residential showrooms.

The company shows the advantages of Berthold's measurement solutions for microwave measurement. The advantages are:

• Online total solids or density measurement

• Optimisation & control of the production process • Cost reduction through optimised use of resources

• Optimised pump utilisation avoids blockages and ensures optimum efficiency • Non-optical measurement, not sensitive to contamination therefore no cleaning required

• Not sensitive to film build-up

Typical applications in food industry  are gummy bears, fruit gummy, and jelly deserts

The measuring principle The microwaves pass through the product to be measured, causing rotation of the free water molecules. They have excellent dielectric properties. This rotation causes the microwaves to slow down (phase shift) and decrease in amplitude (attenuation), resulting in a very accurate measurement of the water content. Thanks to the multi-frequency technique used by Berthold, the measurements are highly reliable and stable and are not affected by reflectance or resonance. The integrated reference line provides excellent compensation of the influence of environmental parameters. As the device generates very low power microwaves (about 0.1 mW), the measured product does not undergo any temperature rise or changes. The radio licenses for the system have been approved by the FCC, IC and ETSI

For the second year in a row, the company has emerged as the industry winner in the “Germany’s Best in the Circular Economy study” – in the “Packaging Man-ufacturer” category. The family-owned company group, which is actively driving a true circular economy in the plastics and packaging industry through innovative products and its commitment to both mechanical and chemical recycling, once again set the industry benchmark in 2025 – achieving a total score of 100.0 points, the highest among all companies evaluated in the category.

For the 2025 study, ServiceValue GmbH and the F.A.Z. Institute conducted a two-stage, in-depth monitoring process based on social listening data from approximately 13,000 companies across various industries. From May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2025, a total of 5 million mentions were identified, categorized, and weighted according to both reach and sentiment balance. As in the previous year, performance was evaluated based on three dimensions: ecological sus-tainability (50%), economic sustainability (30%), as well as overall sustainability (20%).

Südpack’s ability to secure the top spot once again in 2025 – following its first-place ranking in 2024 – is the result of a corporate strategy consistently focused on sustainability. The family-owned company has made “Leadership in Sustain-ability” its clear mission. With pioneering recyclable and material-efficient film and packaging concepts, expanded capacities and technologies for compound-ing, regranulation, and chemical recycling, as well as numerous circular econo-my projects in collaboration with its customers, Südpack has set new stand-ards and paved the way toward a sustainable future. In addition, the compa-ny’s experts bring their knowledge and passion to industry associations and organizations such as IK, FPE, and CEFLEX – and are actively involved in shaping the future of the PPWR in a meaningful way.

For the first time in a top and bottom labeling machine, the new HERMA eco will showcase its impressive performance at a remarkably competitive price. High performance at a remarkably competitive price–this is what the Herma eco label applicator will demonstrate for the first time as part of a labeling machine at Fachpack 2025 (Hall 3C, Stand 322). Integrated into the newly designed 652C model, it enables highly efficient top and bottom labeling. Despite its premium equipment, the Herma eco combines exceptional efficiency with a level of mechanical and build quality rarely seen in this segment. The system will be demonstrated in conjunction with a Köra-Packmat friction feeder, which separates products before labeling them on both sides. Alternatively, it can be configured to label just one surface. The system’s impressive precision is thanks to the Herma eco’s master encoder function, which ensures continuous synchronization with the conveyor speed. This delivers accurate labeling – even at up to 30 m/min. and for labels up to 160 mm wide. The 652C is modular and can be tailored to specific needs. Optional integration of the Herma 500 thermal transfer printer or a hot-foil unit enables variable data printing on both sides. Its modular design also ensures quick delivery times.

Herma’s 362E double-sided labeling machine demonstrates how up to 200 products per minute can be labeled and printed with variable data – completely without consumables. In combination with a UV laser from Domino and Herma’s specialized film labels, the printed image is created by a color shift within the label material itself – without any contact, ink, or transfer ribbon.

The result is a smudge-proof, scratch-resistant, and chemically stable print that withstands alcohol, grease, and disinfectants. This makes it particularly valuable for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical applications. Another highlight: the 752C labeling machine will showcase a unique application by simultaneously sealing and labeling packaging – demonstrated live at the trade fair on clamshell containers filled with popcorn. The system illustrates how labels can serve multiple functions – an increasingly important trend, particularly in the context of sustainable packaging.

At Booth 4-212, the film manufacturer will showcase not only its expertise in sustainability, but also its latest products for the food industry. Ranging from ultra-thin skin films and next-generation recyclable pouch, thermoforming, and tray packaging concepts to the EcoTrace™ LCA service for comprehensive life cycle assessments of flexible packaging solutions.

Sustainability is a core pillar of Südpack’s Strategy 2030. As a technology- and innovation-driven company, Südpack is a leading force in the plastics and packaging industry and actively advances the circular economy through its commitment to both mechanical and chemical recycling. Südpack backs its ambitious goals with solid data – documented in the company’s annual sustainability and progress report, which will also be published to coincide with Fachpack. Among the highlights: emissions have been reduced by a total of 24% since 2021, the company’s CO₂ reduction targets submitted to the SBTi have been validated, and Südpack has achieved Platinum status in the EcoVadis rating. And while discussions around the introduction of the PPWR continue, this family-owned company is already equipped to meet the needs of environmentally conscious customers – with deep expertise and a forward-looking product portfolio that supports truly sustainable packaging choices.

A standout highlight at this year’s event will be the debut of Südpack’s new CarbonLite® product family in Nuremberg. These recyclable mono-materials are suitable for a wide range of packaging concepts – such as PE flowpacks for cuts of cheese or garlic baguettes, convenient PP doypacks for snacks, PP or PE block-bottom pouches for coffee, and PP spouted pouches for fruit purées. They offer excellent machinability, even at high cycle rates on existing equipment. Reliable sealing performance (including for integrated zippers, spouts, and valves made from the same mono-material) and adaptable barrier properties ensure strong product protection and a long shelf life. However, their greatest advantage lies in their reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional multilayer materials or heavier tray packaging.

When the packaging industry meets in Nuremberg from 23 to 25 September 2025, Packaging Valley Germany e.V. will not only take the stage with proven strength but will also bring a new slogan to the exhibition center. Under the new self-image "Your network for packaging excellence", the network will be presented in Hall 3C on around 1,400 m² of common space, 21 innovation drivers and a clear message: Achieve more. Together. Creating solutions together, driving innovation and actively shaping the future of the packaging industry – that's what Packaging Valley Germany e.V. stands for.

And this is exactly what will be visible and tangible at FACHPACK 2025: With a strong joint presence and under the new slogan "Your network for packaging excellence", the network will become a platform for dialogue, progress and partnership-based cooperation. On around 1,400 m², 21 co-exhibitors will show how networked know-how, and the bundling of resources and technological expertise create real added value for the industry and its players. The aim of the trade fair appearance is to make the power of networking visible and to make the community tangible, to highlight innovation potential, to respond to current challenges in the industry and to actively shape the future of the packaging industry together with partners, customers and interested parties.

Das Unternehmen hat erstmals an einem Assessment der Unternehmensberatung T&O Group teilgenommen und geht als Gesamtsieger des „Lean & Green Management Award“ in der Kategorie „Lean & Green Exzellenz“ hervor. The successful completion of the in-depth assessment clearly shows that Schubert is solution-oriented and sustainable through and through – thanks to a culture that truly lives both values rather than just making them part of the system.

It’s rare to find two concepts as closely linked. Lean processes, for example in procurement, design and logistics, directly support sustainable practices. In most cases, resources can be saved where distances are short or where innovation is the norm in everyday production. Gerhard Schubert not only succeeds in combining these two approaches, it also far exceeds the industry standard – as confirmed by a one-day assessment carried out by the T&O Group in Crailsheim in June of this year. Schubert successfully applied for the award in April. The German management consultancy T&O, which specialises in lean methodology and environmental, material and energy issues, has been presenting the ‘Lean & Green Management Award’ since 2012, honouring the best resource management in several categories. In 2025, it evaluated 18 companies that had made it through the preliminary round to the shortlist.

The assessment takes an in-depth look at how companies can use resources more efficiently to avoid waste. To make their evaluation, the T&O Group analyses the processes and methods of selected companies in key areas of business practice such as logistics, supply chain and strategy. Experts from T&O, the Technical University of Munich and the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt use their findings to derive a benchmark against which the participating companies can measure themselves – and for Schubert, with resounding success. “The Lean & Green Excellence Award confirms that we seamlessly integrate lean methods and the economical use of resources – and that we are well above average in this respect. This is something we are proud of and it motivates us to remain committed to this direction,” explains Tobias Bierlein, Group Manager GRIPS Process Management at Schubert. The successful interaction between Schubert’s Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative and the company’s in-house GRIPS methodology, which stands for ‘Gemeinsam in Richtung Innovation, Prozesse und Standards’ (Together towards innovation, processes and standards), has been instrumental in achieving this impressive result.

With GRIPS, Schubert promotes the implementation of carefully thought-out, practical solutions across the entire company in order to contribute to core objectives such as growth, profitability and climate neutrality – from within the workforce and without external support. “Short decision-making processes, practical suggestions and teamwork are at the heart of GRIPS and lay the foundation for the exceptionally high operational effectiveness that clearly impressed the jury,” points out Jens Stoll, Head of Technical Organisation at Schubert. According to Stoll, this efficiency is also reflected in the bigger picture. In procurement, for example, Schubert consistently relies on local partners for short, resilient supply chains – an approach that is by no means common in the industry. “In fact, we have hardly any materials on the road. We can remain flexible thanks to our local approach and are less vulnerable to global challenges.”