Extrusion International 6-2019

REVIEW 42 Extrusion International 6/2019 K, the leading global trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, has drawn to a close in Düsseldorf after eight days (23 October 2019). The 3,330 exhibitors from 63 na- tions proved impressively: plastics continue to be an inno- vative, indispensable, future-oriented material. But they also unanimously underscored the necessity of having op- erational circular economies along the complete material chain and to this end already presented concrete solutions. Companies struck a nerve with people with this focus be- cause the approximately 225,000 visitors from 165 coun- tries took great interest especially in recycling systems, sustainable raw materials, resource-saving processes. Fur- thermore, K 2019 was characterised by a high propensity to invest as before. The intention among the international trade audience to get perfectly geared up for the future with the latest technologies was clearly perceivable. “K 2019 came at precisely the right point in time. Its enor- mous importance for the sector is underpinned by its high acceptance levels all over the world. There is no other place the industry is represented so internationally and completely as here in Düsseldorf every three years,” says Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, and explains: “Especially in times of great chal- lenges, a platform like the K is indispensable. It provides guidance and perspectives, sets sustainable economic im- pulses, shows forward-looking trends and concrete ap- proaches. The industry and its professional associations enjoyed the unique opportunity here to present sector- specific solutions and debate questions of socio-political relevance on a global scale. And they have capitalised on this opportunity outstandingly well.” The nations especially well represented on the part of visitors after Germany were Italy, the Netherlands, India, Turkey and China, followed by the USA. Furthermore, a K 2019 gives a Clear Signal for Responsible Handling of Plastics marked increase in the number of trade visitors from the Russian Federation, Japan and Brazil could be registered. The number of executives among K visitors rose slightly yet again: to the tune of 68% came from top or middle management. With over 90 percent, visitor satisfaction was again at a top level. While for German trade visitors in- creased efficiency ranked first as the currently most impor- tant issue, the expansion of product and service portfolios was in the foreground for European and non-European trade fair guests. The extensive supporting programme at K 2019 boasting keynotes and high-calibre discussions such as on renew- able energies, material efficiency or zero-waste production met with avid interest among the international audience, especially the Special Show K 2019 “Plastics shape the Fu- ture”. This year the innovative power of the material and the industry in terms of resource-saving processes, digitali- sation, functionality, renewable energies, circularity and sustainability were centrestage. And such critical themes as marine litter, the throw-away mentality associated with plastic packaging and the use of finite resources for their production were not ignored either. At the Science Campus both exhibitors and visitors to K 2019 were given a condensed overview of scientific ac- tivities and results in the plastics and rubber sector. Numer- ous universities, institutes and funding agencies provided opportunities for direct dialogue. The next K Düsseldorf will be held from 19 to 26 October 2022. www.k-online.de