NEWS K Show still pulls in the crowds


K 2025, still the most prominent trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries worldwide, closed on 15 October after welcoming 175,000 visitors through the doors of Messe Düsseldorf in Germany. In view of the current difficult economic climate and other factors affecting the plastics industry, many companies travelled to Düsseldorf with subdued expectations, said the organisers. But encouragingly, they described the prevailing mood across the fully occupied exhibition grounds as “good” as the industry presented itself as more resilient and forward- thinking than ever. “K has demonstrated once again just how much innovative power and dynamism this sector holds,” said Marius Berlemann, chief operating officer at Messe Düsseldorf. He said: “K is an indispensable compass in uncertain times and once again succeeded in confirming its role as the most important impulse provider and launch platform for the global plastics and rubber industry.” At this year’s K Show, there were


3,275 exhibitors from 66 nations and over 175,000 trade visitors from around 160 countries. Official post-show figures indicated


that 73% of visitors came from outside Germany. A particularly strong representation was seen from China (6,300 visitors) and India (6,400 visitors) with a total of 10,000 travel- ling from the US and Brazil, said the organisers.


For machinery exhibitors, efficiency,


precision, and resource savings were key themes, while materials exhibitors highlighted developments related to sustainability and megatrends like e-mobility. The emergence and incorporation


of artificial intelligence (AI) was another prevailing theme at this year’s event. � www.k-online.de


Euromap advocates more open markets


Market uncertainty has depressed demand for European plastics and rubber machinery over the last two years, said industry body Euromap during an event at K2025. This uncertainty made


buyers reluctant to invest, it said. In 2025, Euromap had expected demand to recover – especially from the US – but the introduction of tariffs undermined this. However, it believes demand from the US “will pick up in phases”. “Our sector is inherently global with tightly connect-


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ed international supply chains,” said Alessandro Grassi, vice president of Euromap and CEO of Italy-based Frigosystem. “This is not so much about the levels of import or export shares. This interde- pendence reflects a global division of labour that benefits all participants.” He pointed out that the plastics industry depends on open markets – in terms of fair competition, a level playing field and the setting of international standards “to facilitate global coopera- tion and innovation”.


PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | Winter 2025 These standards – in-


creasingly based on digital frameworkds – enable machines to “speak the same language” so that data can be used more efficiently, which can help to lower costs. For instance, OPC UA has been established as a “common language” and a durable data model – allow- ing ‘plug-and-produce’ integration, trustworthy sustainability data, and long-term compatibility, said Euromap. Tobias Baur, president of


Euromap and CSO or Arburg, added: “Our custom-


ers’ benefits are apparent to users and customers: less complexity, fewer interfaces and quicker setup.” He said increased


digitalisation helps teams can solve problems more quickly and reduce down- time on lines – while planning tools can align production with energy availability and cost. “Energy and material flows become transparent, enabling higher efficiency, better recycling and reliable reporting of the product carbon footprint,” he said. � www.euromap.org


www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: MESSE DÜSSELDORF/CTILLMANN


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