The fourth edition of SPAPER opened its doors today, Tuesday, March 4th, at the Zaragoza Trade Fair, solidifying its position as the leading international event for the paper, cardboard, and packaging sector. It is taking place concurrently with SMAGUA and EXPOFIMER, in a context of growth and transformation. SPAPER reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the development of technical knowledge, fundamental pillars for addressing the industry's present and future challenges.

The opening ceremony was attended by Jorge Azcón, President of the Government of Aragon; Sara Aagesen, Third Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge; Jorge Villarroya, President of the Zaragoza Trade Fair; Noelia Herrero, Deputy Government Delegate in Zaragoza; and Manuel Blasco, Minister of the Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon. The Director General of Water at the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Dolores Pascual, and Víctor Serrano, Councilor for Urban Planning, Infrastructure, Energy, and Housing for the Zaragoza City Council, were present.

Jorge Villarroya emphasized the opportunities this event generates as a business and knowledge platform when combined with SMAGUA and EXPOFIMER, specifying that these are “extremely important” events for Feria de Zaragoza (Zaragoza Trade Fair) as they showcase “cutting-edge technology” that allows progress toward a more sustainable and digital world.

For the President of Aragon, this event at Feria de Zaragoza is a success story, which “is always good news for Aragon.” He added that “thousands of people will attend,” which also supports the growth of business tourism, a key objective of these types of events.

For the Vice President of the Spanish Government, Sara Aagasen, described what she saw today at the Zaragoza Trade Fair as a unique and internationally renowned event, one that also showcases Spanish talent. “It coincides with two other highly important trade fairs. The industrial sector at the national level is becoming increasingly competitive,” emphasized the Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

THE EXHIBITORS

With the participation of 157 brands from 18 countries, SPAPER 2025 offers a comprehensive program of technical sessions where companies, associations, and industry experts will share knowledge about the main market trends and challenges.

SPAPER 2025 brings together a wide variety of exhibitors covering the entire value chain of the paper industry, from machinery for paper and cardboard production to process automation. Engineering firms, consultancies, and specialized service companies share space with manufacturers of components and accessories, as well as with companies dedicated to instrumentation, measurement, and quality control.

Sustainability and energy efficiency also play a leading role, with exhibitors focusing on environmental solutions and the use of more sustainable chemicals, additives, and raw materials. Furthermore, the event features the participation of industry associations and the technical press, solidifying its position as the key meeting point for professionals in the sector.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

On this first day, the session “Three Paper Industry Challenges for 2025: People, AI, and EU Regulations” stood out, with the participation of KPMG, SAICA, Vicomtech, ASPAPEL, Repacar, El Papel, and the Basque Country Paper Cluster. This session addressed the main regulatory and technological challenges that will impact the paper industry in the short and medium term.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the 6th Technical Paper Forum of the Basque Country Paper Cluster will take place, focusing on technology, diversification, and process improvement. Success stories in innovation will be analyzed and discussions will focus on the sustainable use of resources, industry trends, and solutions for impurity formation in manufacturing processes.