Fergus Hardie, Managing Director of Hardie Polymers is not long back from K2019 – the largest plastics exhibition in the world.
Here he reflects on the experience and reports on the themes of the show.
Largest global plastics exhibition
Firstly, it’s hard to convey the scale of the event. 3,330 exhibitors from 63 nations and approximately 225,000 visitors from 165 countries.*
The ‘K Show’ is billed as The World’s No.1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber. It lives up to that billing.
It’s the largest global plastics exhibition, held in Dusseldorf once every 3 years.
“The leading raw material producers, processing companies and machinery manufacturers offer an overview of the latest technical developments, procedures and techniques, of current construction methods and future trends. K is a truly international exhibition, attracting more than half its visitors from outside Germany.” – BPF
Themes at the plastics exhibition
This October, K2019 saw a massive focus on sustainability and recycling, environmental compatibility, saving resources and avoiding waste.
There was real engagement and progress by all sides of the industry, to effectively deal with the challenges of plastic waste.
As summaried in the *Final Press Release of the show, K 2019 gives a clear signal for responsible handling of plastics:
“Plastics continue to be an innovative, indispensable, future-oriented material. K’s exhibitors unanimously underscored the necessity of having operational circular economies along the complete material chain. Companies struck a nerve with this focus as visitors took great interest in recycling systems, sustainable raw materials and resource-saving processes.”
Since K is the longest-running trade show in the industry – eight days – it provides delegates with great networking opportunities.
Fergus spent two busy days meeting with suppliers and customers, as well as old industry friends and colleagues.
“I thoroughly enjoy working within this industry and have also been lucky enough to make many good friends in it over the years.”
Off duty!
Fergus stayed on this boat for K. It was moored on the side of the Rhine and handy for both the Fair and the Altstadt – the old part of Dusseldorf where everyone meets up again in the bars and restaurants, after the show has finished for the day.
