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Interplast 2026 set to start in Joinville, Brazil, next Tuesday
August 20, 2026 – From August 25 to 28, Joinville will host one of Latin America's key hubs for business, technology, and innovation in the plastics industry. Interplast 2026 (www.interplast.com.br)— the Trade Fair and Congress for the Integration of Plastics Technology— will fully occupy three pavilions at Expoville, with a total area of 25,000 square meters, including an annex built specifically for the event. The event brings together approximately 400 exhibiting companies showcasing over a thousand national and international brands and is expected to exceed the mark of 32,000 visitors. Organized by Messe Brasil, the event's 13th edition corresponds to a 25-year history; the organizers project over R$ 500 million in business to be closed during the fair and the subsequent 12 months. According to Messe Brasil´s director Richard Spirandelli, Interplast's evolution mirrors the industry's major transformations. "Our goal is to demonstrate that innovation, productivity, sustainability, and business generation go hand in hand and are fundamental to the growth of the plastics industry," he states. The 2026 edition features an extensive technical program and showcases solutions designed to boost corporate competitiveness. A key highlight is the Metrology and Quality Control Seminar, organized by ABIMAQ, which brings together experts and leading companies to discuss measurement, monitoring, and control solutions for the plastics processing industry. Additionally, the Brazilian Plastics Congress will be held in Joinville for the first time. Organized by the SustenPlást Institute, the event motto "Plastics: Solutions in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" will be at the center of the discussion. The Recycling and Sustainability Technical Meeting —a n initiative by Plástico Sul América — brings together experts, recyclers, converters, technology suppliers, and industry representatives to discuss key challenges and opportunities regarding PCR (Post-Consumer Resin) production and the circular economy in Brazil. The Brazilian Association of the PET Industry (ABIPET) is hosting the forum "PET: Competitiveness and Circularity in a Single Package," gathering experts and executives to discuss circular economy advancements and the outlook for the PET packaging sector. Another highlight is the series of 35 technical lectures delivered by exhibitors themselves during workshops. The program covers case studies, applications, and new product launches related to automation, processing, recycling, raw materials, equipment, artificial intelligence, process control, sustainability, and productivity. "Interplast has become a premier venue for technological updates within the Latin American plastics industry. It is the only event that unites the entire production chain in one place—ranging from manufacturers of machinery, molds, peripherals, and automation systems to raw material suppliers, recyclers, converters, and research institutions," says Richard. Expanding international presence The 2026 edition also marks a strengthened international presence, with foreign visitor participation expected to grow by approximately 20%, particularly from South American countries such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. To support this trend, the trade fair features a multilingual digital catalog, allowing visitors to access information on exhibitors, products, new launches, and event highlights in various languages. This tool also boosts the visibility of exhibiting companies and enables supplier prospecting even before the exhibition halls open. "Our goal is to cement Interplast's status as a key meeting point for the plastics industry in South America, strengthening commercial ties between Brazil and its neighbors," states Richard. Marking its 25th anniversary, Interplast arrives at its 13th edition with the aim of expanding its scope and its role as a hub for knowledge, networking, and industry development. "We are confident that Interplast 2026 will be the largest and most comprehensive edition to date, combining technical content, networking, and business opportunities with the goal of strengthening the Brazilian industry and contributing to the economic development of Santa Catarina and the entire Southern Region of Brazil," concludes the director of Messe Brasil. Business Matchmaking Event Expands Partnership Opportunities The Business Matchmaking Event is another tool for generating opportunities at Interplast. The event brings together technology suppliers offering products and services for the plastics supply chain for a full-day session on August 26. Ten major purchasing companies from the construction, agribusiness, packaging, and automotive sectors will participate. Set in an environment designed for dynamic meetings between suppliers and buyers, the initiative expands the possibilities for new commercial partnerships. SENAI Organizes "Masters of Injection Molding" Competition SENAI is bringing the "Masters of Injection Molding" (*Mestres da Injeção*) competition to Interplast, held in partnership with Brazilian machine manufacturer ROMI. Inspired by the format of the WorldSkills Competition — the premier international vocational skills tournament — the challenge will gather specialists, industry professionals, and students that will demonstrate their agility, precision, and advanced knowledge in operating plastics injection molding machines and solving complex industrial challenges. The competition rounds will take place from August 25 to 28, between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM, during Interplast 2026. The awards ceremony is scheduled for the final day. The top three participants will receive certificates of excellence and educational benefits applicable to technical courses at SENAI Joinville, as well as undergraduate and graduate programs at UniSENAI – Joinville Campus. "The industry is becoming increasingly high-tech, yet all that technology requires people capable of understanding the process and transforming resources into results. 'Masters of Injection Molding' is also a way to acknowledge the talent of these professionals, value the knowledge built within factories, and inspire a new generation," highlights Dinor Martins, an education specialist and engineer at FIESC - SESI/SENAI/IEL (North-Northeast Region). In addition to the competition, the SENAI Institutes for Innovation and Technology will showcase consultancy services, technological solutions, and strategies aimed at optimizing production processes, applying new materials, and boosting productivity. A humanoid robot powered by Physical AI will demonstrate how the convergence of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence enables robots to navigate autonomously, manipulate components with precision, and solve problems in real time. Sustainability takes a strategic role The circular economy will be a key theme of the event program. The trade fair brings together initiatives and discussions regarding recycling, the use of recycled resins, sustainable packaging, and new technologies for material reuse. The "Recicla Plástico" (Plastic Recycling) Space is a hands-on sustainability initiative at Interplast 2026. This area will showcase the circular economy in action, displaying the post-consumer journey of plastic materials and bringing together various stakeholders committed to recycling and circularity. Organized by Termotécnica — with the support of CNRPLAS (ABIPLAST's National Chamber of Plastic Material Recyclers) and Recircular Brasil — the space demonstrates the entire process to visitors: from the collection and sorting of packaging and other post-consumer plastic products to the transformation of this waste into recycled raw material and its application in new products. "Initiatives like this also intend to raise awareness about the importance of proper disposal — an essential step for waste materials to return to the production cycle, regain their value, and generate environmental, economic, and social benefits," notes Albano Schmidt, president of Termotécnica. As the organizer of Recicla Plástico Space, Termotécnica will highlight "Repor," a PCR resin produced from recycled EPS. The product is a concrete example of the conversion of post-consumer materials into new resources for the industry. Repor is supplied to plastics converters and can be used in technical parts for home appliances and electronic equipment, baseboards, decorative moldings, and other applications. In Europe, the material is also used in the manufacture of panels for housing applications (thermal insulation), particularly in regions with harsh winters and in markets where sustainable building certifications — such as LEED — offer a premium on the use of recycled materials. CNRPLAS brings together recycling companies from various regions of the country and serves as a key representative of the sector. Its work focuses on fostering an environment conducive to the growth of recycling, enhancing the value of plastic waste, and expanding the circular economy in Brazil. Recircular Brasil, based in Manaus, also transforms plastic waste into recycled resin, allowing for quality, traceability, and environmental commitment. Interplast to host the Brazilian Plastics Congress for the first time The content program for Interplast 2026 includes the 6th Brazilian Plastics Congress, organized by the SustenPlast Institute. It will take place on the mornings of August 26 and 27. Integrated into Interplast for the first time, the Congress enhances Joinville's status as a key national hub for discussions on the future of the plastics industry. Centered on the theme "Plastics: Solutions in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," the Congress fosters discussions on innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, the circular economy, competitiveness, and the industry's new challenges in face of current technological developments. The program is designed to bridge the gap between industry, academia, and society, offering a comprehensive view of the strategic role plastics play in the economy and daily life. The program is available on the trade fair's website: https://interplast.com.br/congresso-brasileiro-do-plastico/
The technical program for Interplast 2026 includes the Metrology and Quality Control Seminar, organized by ABIMAQ, on August 27. The event brings together experts and leading companies to discuss measurement, monitoring, and control solutions applied to the plastics processing industry. The seminar addresses topics directly related to industrial process efficiency, such as the use of melt flow index in polymer control, the importance of reliable pressure measurement in industrial systems, methodologies for assessing plastic product durability, smart instrumentation, energy efficiency in injection molding processes, and optical measurement technologies to reduce production bottlenecks. Participants will gain insight into practical applications and technologies already employed by the industry to improve quality and reliability standards in production processes. The program and details for free registration are available on the trade fair's website: https://interplast.com.br/seminario-metrologia/
Recycling and Sustainability Technical Meeting gathers experts to discuss the future of PCR and the circular economy On August 25, before the official opening of Interplast 2026, the Recycling and Sustainability Technical Meeting will take place. An initiative by Plástico Sul América, the event brings together experts, recyclers, processors, technology suppliers, and industry representatives to discuss key challenges and opportunities regarding PCR (Post-Consumer Resin) production and the circular economy in Brazil. The program is designed to offer a comprehensive overview of the technological advancements on plastics recycling, featuring companies recognized for their solutions across the entire production chain. The opening session will focus on the landscape of recycling and the circular economy in the country. Next, the event will focus on Technology, Equipment, and Success Stories, presenting solutions aimed at boosting productivity, the quality of recycled material, and industry competitiveness. The full schedule and free registration are available on the Interplast website: https://interplast.com.br/encontro-reciclagem-de-plasticos-e-sustentabilidade/
ABIPET Forum discusses competitiveness and the circular economy for PET packaging On August 27, the Brazilian Association of the PET Industry (ABIPET) will be hosting the forum "PET: Competitiveness and Circularity in a Single Package," bringing together experts and executives to discuss advances in the circular economy and outlooks for the PET packaging sector. The program will encompass solutions already available to help packaging manufacturers, processors, recyclers, converters, and brand owners boost their competitiveness while simultaneously increasing material circularity. The full program and free registration for the Forum are available on the Interplast website: https://interplast.com.br/abipet/
Exhibitor´s Workshops showcase market-ready technologies Exhibitor´s Workshops are another key attraction at Interplast 2026, offering dozens of hours of technical content presented by the participating companies themselves. This space was designed to bridge the gap between technology suppliers and users, allowing visitors to explore applications, processes, equipment, materials, and solutions currently being used to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the plastics industry. On August 26 and 27, 35 workshops will feature new product launches, success stories, new technologies, industrial automation, recycling, sustainability, raw materials, peripherals, molds, process control, and production-focused innovation. In addition to seeing technologies in action at the booths, visitors will gain access to content that can be immediately applied to their operations. The full schedule and free registration are available on the trade fair's website: https://interplast.com.br/workshops/
Santa Catarina state strengthen its position as a hub for the plastics industry Hosting Interplast in Joinville also reflects the strength of the plastics processing industry in the Southern Region. Santa Catarina is home to companies with high technological capabilities and a strong presence in the production of technical parts, packaging, construction products, home appliances, and industrial components. Historically, the state has been among the leaders in adopting new technologies to modernize production processes. The presence of Interplast in Santa Catarina fosters connections between technology suppliers and one of the key consumer markets for plastics industry solutions. Nationally, the plastics industry ranks among the country's five largest industrial sectors. Data from the Brazilian Plastics Industry Association indicate that the sector generates over BRL 130 billion in annual revenue, employs approximately 379,000 workers, and comprises more than 14,000 processing and recycling companies. The market is also experiencing a significant investment cycle. Investments in the plastics industry are projected to reach R$ 31.7 billion between 2025 and 2027, targeting expanded production capacity, the development of sustainable packaging, new recycling technologies, industrial automation, and the strengthening of reverse logistics systems. The circular economy is playing an increasingly important role in this process. Currently, over one million tons of plastic waste are mechanically recycled annually in Brazil. Material recovery capacity is expected to continue growing, driven by investments in recycling and the expansion of initiatives for waste traceability and reuse. |
