PACO welcomes the Industry and Environment Committee of the IHK

On March 18, 2025, the third meeting of the Industry and Environment Committee of the IHK Hanau-Gelnhausen-Schlüchtern took place at the premises of the PACO Group. Around 20 external participants accepted the invitation and attended the event.

 

Following a warm welcome by Committee Chairman Reinhard Wachter, the program began with a one-hour company tour. Participants gained fascinating insights into PACO’s production processes and innovative solutions in the field of metal wire mesh and filtration technology. Among others, Garvin Ruppel, Managing Director of the PACO Group, personally led the tour through the production halls. With great expertise and passion, he explained to the interested visitors how the finest metal wires are woven into large-scale meshes and how these are transformed into high-precision filter elements for a wide range of applications and industries. The tour was followed by a joint meal break, providing a relaxed atmosphere for networking.

A particular highlight of the event was the expert presentations on current developments in the field of hydrogen. Louise Mazières, Head of the Hydrogen, Heat, and Alternative Drives Department at DIHK, gave a lecture on "After the Federal Elections: Challenges and Opportunities for Scaling Up the Hydrogen Market." She provided insights into the political and economic framework conditions for the expansion of the hydrogen economy in Germany.

Oliver Eich, Project Manager at the State Hydrogen Office of the LandesEnergieAgentur Hessen, spoke on "Hydrogen in Hessen: Strategy, Infrastructure, and Best Practices." He presented the state strategy and gave an overview of existing and planned hydrogen projects in Hessen.

In the third presentation, Andreas Barth, Managing Director of Main-Kinzig Netzdienste GmbH, discussed the challenges for local gas grid operators and the current planning status for the Main-Kinzig district in the context of hydrogen as an energy carrier.

The event concluded with a lively get-together, allowing participants to engage in in-depth discussions and further expand their networks. Overall, the event was a great success, highlighting the importance of innovative technologies and sustainable solutions in an industrial context. We would like to thank all participants for the valuable exchange and, in particular, the PACO colleagues for their excellent organization and catering.

 

Background on the Industry and Environment Committee of the IHK Hanau-Gelnhausen-Schlüchtern

The Industry and Environment Committee of the IHK advises the plenary assembly and management on economic, energy, and environmental issues and develops positions for the regional economy. It serves as a discussion forum for industrial entrepreneurs and executives to address relevant topics and share experiences. Additionally, the committee enables the IHK to gather industry perspectives on current challenges. A key goal is to strengthen the Hanau-Main-Kinzig region as a hub for manufacturing industries. Members include business owners, managing directors, and authorized signatories from the IHK district.