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Equiplast 2026 will lead the transformation towards a circular economy in the plastics and rubber industry, with an edition set to drive innovation in materials and processes, recycling and digitalisation. Currently, the trade show organised by Fira de Barcelona is close to being fully booked, with 95% of the planned exhibition space already reserved. It will bring together more than 400 exhibitors from 16 countries, a 12% increase compared to its previous edition, consolidating its position as the leading trade fair for the sector in the Iberian market and one of the most important in southern Europe.
From 2 to 5 June, Equiplast will open its doors at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, alongside Expoquimia, the leading meeting point for the chemical and process industries. Together, the two trade shows are expected to bring together an offering of more than 800 exhibitors and attract around 21,000 professionals. The plastics and chemical industries are working hand in hand to develop more sustainable and innovative materials and processes, driving the circular economy and delivering value across multiple sectors.
In this context, Bernd Roegele, President of the Organising Committee, highlights: “The plastics industry is facing decisive challenges in terms of sustainability and competitiveness. Equiplast will be the showcase where the sector demonstrates how it is transforming its processes to move towards a circular economy, incorporating innovation and technology for the benefit of society and the environment.”
Greater offering and international reach
Equiplast 2026 continues to grow in both the number of companies and its international profile and will occupy Hall 3 at the Gran Via venue. In addition to Spain, the countries contributing the highest number of exhibitors include China, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Turkey, France and the Netherlands, among others. Almost one third of Equiplast’s commercial offering will come from abroad.
Xavier Pascual, Director of the trade show, explains: "We are building an edition that will mark a turning point. Growth in exhibitors and exhibition space, together with internationalisation and the high quality of the event programme, reinforces Equiplast as the most relevant business platform for the plastics and rubber industry in Spain and southern Europe.”
The most strongly represented sectors to date include machinery, equipment and automation systems; raw materials and additives; peripherals, parts and components; moulds and dies; and environment and recycling, the latter showing significant growth compared to the 2023 edition. Companies specialising in hardware and software, measurement, control and automation, semi-finished and finished products, as well as subcontracting and services, are also taking part.
Opening up new markets
At the same time, Equiplast will roll out an invited buyers programme designed to attract distributors and decision-makers from six strategic markets for the Spanish plastics industry: Mexico, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Colombia and Guatemala.
The initiative aims to generate tangible business opportunities by selecting buyers with specific projects from these countries. Mexico stands out for its export-driven growth in plastics-consuming sectors such as automotive, packaging and electronics; Turkey is undergoing a post-crisis recovery with renewed investment in industrial machinery; Morocco and Algeria offer opportunities in automotive, agri-food and industrial diversification; while Colombia and Guatemala are emerging markets with strong export potential.
In addition, Equiplast will be promoted in the European countries that traditionally contribute the highest number of visitors to the show, with the aim of increasing the international share of attendees to over 13% of the total.
Rethinking plastics
One of the main new features of Equiplast 2026 is the revamped Rethinking Plastics space, conceived as a knowledge and networking platform that promotes a positive vision of plastics within the circular economy. It will include conferences, round tables and case study presentations, an exhibition of solutions made from sustainable plastics, and a sector-focused communication area.
Its programme of activities will address four key thematic areas: sustainability and the circular economy; recycling technologies; advanced materials and applications; and digitalisation and competitiveness. In addition, dedicated sessions will be held on topics such as biopolymers and biodegradability, chemical recycling of composites, energy efficiency, Industry 4.0 applied to plastics, regulation and industrial scraps, among others. The programme will also feature presentations of landmark projects showcasing the use of circular plastics in sectors such as packaging, automotive and healthcare.
