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Ulrich Reifenhäuser is one of the most recognisable leaders of the European plastics industry. He is a long-time representative and co-creator of the success of the Reifenhäuser Group, a global manufacturer of machinery and technological lines for plastics processing. He serves as Chairman of the Exhibitors’ Council of the “K” trade fair in Düsseldorf—the most important industry event worldwide—and as Chairman of the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association within VDMA, actively shaping the development directions of the entire sector, with particular emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

Mr. Reifenhäuser, Plastpol has been organised for 30 years, what were the trade fairs like then, and what are they like today?

Many years have passed since my first visit to the trade fair in Kielce. A great deal has changed since then. At that time, travelling from Warsaw was very inconvenient and took twice as long. The city of Kielce was also completely different. Today it looks much more modern and has truly gained in importance. Above all, today’s Targi Kielce makes a very modern impression. I am familiar with many exhibition centres around the world and can state with full confidence that the Kielce venue has reached an absolutely international level.

Why has Plastpol taken such an important place among the many industry events in Europe in the calendar of the Reifenhäuser Group and the entire industry?

Plastpol has gained a very important position in Europe. In the Central and Eastern European region, there is no comparable trade fair with such reach. This is reflected in the genuinely positive response from visitors and in the exhibitors’ presentations. Individual stands, as well as the overall impression of the halls, are becoming increasingly attractive and professional from one edition to the next.

How do you assess the role of Plastpol as an industry hub for the Central and Eastern European region—especially in connection with countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine?

I believe that in this area Plastpol should further intensify its international activities in order to expand the circle of exhibitors and visitors precisely from neighbouring countries, i.e. the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, as well as Ukraine.

How important is direct contact with customers at events such as Plastpol for the Reifenhäuser Group?

I consider trade fairs to be the most important marketing and communication tool for Reifenhäuser and for our machinery manufacturing industry. Direct, multidirectional contacts during trade fairs—meetings and discussions in an exhibition environment that symbolises our entire industry—are extremely important and effective and cannot be replaced by digital communication. At this year’s Plastpol, we rate very highly the opportunity to renew contacts with long-standing customers, as well as the chance to hold new, interesting discussions with market participants who were previously less familiar to us. The most recent Plastpol trade fair ended in success for us.

What role does Plastpol play in promoting environmentally friendly technologies? Does the event support changes in the industry?

Environmental protection, the circular economy, energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction are extremely important for our industry and therefore have a high priority at Reifenhäuser, forming a key part of the presentation of our company’s achievements. Today’s machinery engineering technologies already offer beneficial solutions for many of these challenges.

Mr. Reifenhäuser, you are not only a manager, but also an ambassador for the entire industry. What does participation in the 30th anniversary edition of Plastpol mean to you personally?

With excitement, but also with confidence, I am looking forward to the upcoming jubilee event, Plastpol 2026. First of all, to observe the further positive development of the trade fair, but above all because I am convinced that the overall economic environment of our industry will improve in the second half of 2025. Despite all the political turbulence worldwide, plastics consumption continues to grow. At the same time, existing production capacities are being increasingly utilised, and demand for new machinery is the logical consequence. After the very dynamic, innovation-filled and surprise-rich K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf in October 2025, this momentum will continue in Kielce in 2026.

The 30th International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at Targi Kielce.