Special show by the German plastics industry focusing on the leading themes of K 2022: climate protection, circular economy, and digitalisation

Every three years, and this coming autumn again, the world of plastics meets in Düsseldorf: from October 19 to 26, 2022, the world’s leading trade fair K presents new products and innovations from all sectors of the industry – from production to processing, to mechanical engineering. Once again, the central point of contact for the critical exchange of information, thoughts, and opinions is represented by the Special Show in fair hall 6. The project by the German plastics industry lead by the plastics association Plastics Europe Deutschland (PED) and the Messe Düsseldorf focuses on the three ground-breaking guiding themes of K 2022: climate protection, circular economy, and digitalisation.

Progress starts in Düsseldorf

In entertaining formats, high-level guests from the world of politics, science, and the industry, as well as NGOs will share information about and discuss economic, social, and environmental challenges and solutions around the leading themes of K 2022 – thus connecting the trade fair presentations of the companies with the societal agenda of K.

Ingemar Bühler, Managing Director of PED, puts it in a nutshell: “These are really exciting times: in this year’s K special show, we make it clear where our industry shifts into the turbo mode in terms of greenhouse gas neutrality and circularity. But we also listen carefully to what critical experts tell
us and which solutions be proposed to us.” Bühler continues “It is undisputed that there is still a lot to catch up on the path towards decarbonisation in our industry, e.g. in terms of raw material supply or recycling. Here, we want to improve – and the K 2022 fair is the right place to come up with fresh ideas and to drive – together with you – many innovative solutions of tomorrow that are allegedly considered to be still unthinkable today”.

No ducking away – listening!

The centrepiece of “Plastics shape the future” is provided by the theme days with speeches, keynotes, and panel discussions on the three K guiding themes climate protection, circular economy, and digitalisation. At the start of the trade fair on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, key topics and challenges of the industry will be directly addressed on the K-Forum. As an example, it will focus on the implementation of the results of the “Reshaping Plastics” report presented by the European think-tank SystemIQ in April 2022. The report outlines several scenarios that are supposed to improve the circularity of plastics and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.

The following theme days also focus on the plastics industry’s concrete paths towards greenhouse gas neutrality, or on plastics as enablers of the clean energy transition. This will make sure that the special exhibition will enrich the extensive and socially highly relevant exhibition offering of K 2022
– clever, smart, and to the point!

Plastics shape the future

The special show “Plastics shape the future” with the K 2022 trade fair shows how plastics can shape the future in a sustainable way, which developments are taking shape already today, and which visions have the chance of being implemented tomorrow. On seven theme days, technical discussions, keynote speeches, entertaining demonstrations, and exciting experimental shows will be offered.

During these events, economic and environmental as well as socio-political aspects will be equally addressed – without sparing problem areas – and concrete solution approaches discussed. The special show is a project by the plastics industry, lead by PlasticsEurope Deutschland e. V. and Messe Düsseldorf. Plastics shape the future promises insights and outlooks for exhibitors and specialised visitors of K, as well as for the media and the interested public.

Source: Plastics Europe Deutschland