PLASTPOL 2024. New technologies, machines, production lines, granules… and the most awaited knowledge pack

Agreements, sales and contracts worth millions

Plastpol 2023 was when many companies established cooperation and signed contracts. Arburg sold several machines,  7 million EUR contract for the purchase of a production line was signed with the German company Reifenhauser and the Polish producer Bogucki Folie. Plastpol 2023 also witnessed the signing of the first distribution agreement between the Polish recycler of plastics - ML Polyolefins and the most significant distributor from Western Europe - Brenntag. ML Polyolefins will export its recycled products to six countries;  Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.  - Plastpol expo was the foundation stone of our cooperation; the official form of cooperation was the contract signed here - emphasised Krzysztof Nowosielski, commercial director at ML Polyolefins.

And there were even more deals concluded at the show  or after the trade fair. The exhibitors praise the opportunity to meet thousands of visitors. – Our expo stand was packed with customers, and also people who would like to learn about our latest technologies, even about Industry 4.0. We are here every year and we will exhibit in 2024 as well - Adam Marciniak from Engel Polska makes his promises.

The consumer recession in the plastics processing industry

The business talks atmosphere is conducive for looking into the future. The future is filled with changes and challenges for companies operating in the plastics and rubber processing industry. Exciting discussions accompanied the conference organised by the PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation;  the representation of plastics producers in Poland, follows many-year tradition and presents the current data on the plastics industry situation in Poland on Europe's backdrop. The Plastics and Rubber Processing Fair PLASTPOL is the presentation arena. According to experts speaking at the conference, the industry has been developing at an excellent pace over the years; however, the decline in the industry's growth rate after a temporary rebound after the pandemic is a concerning trend.

Such a low growth is attributed to the fact that the economy entered into the so-called consumer recession. This is the main reason according to specialists. The data clearly indicate that consumers have started to reduce consumption. Analysts forecast that the trend will continue throughout 2023, which also directly translates into the situation of the plastics industry.

Plastpol - towards environmental protection and circularity

Forecasts also indicate that the European plastics industry, as one of the industries most affected by the energy crisis, and at the same time striving to meet climate regulations, may also face serious challenges in the coming years.

– The plastics industry has long been moving towards circularity and zero-carbon goals,  we believe this is the way for our industry to contribute to fundamental environmental goals, deliver benefits to society, and continue to grow at the same time. Thus it is essential to stay focused on your goals, keep your commitments and commit to industry initiatives like Operation Clean Sweep® – convinces Anna Kozera-Szałkowska, the PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation's Director. 

Circularity was another important and widely discussed challenge; the limitation of non-recyclable packaging production and introducing packaging that can be reused were discussed during the conference "Recycling of plastics - one goal, many possibilities". 

The PLASTECH INFO Technical Seminar was one of the accompanying events at this year's PLASTPOL Expo in Kielce. The presentations and speeches focused on the "Advanced polymeric materials - technologies, processing, applications". - Thematic scope of the seminar mainly pertains to the role and importance of plastics in everyday human life, the material that gives the opportunity to develop and implement innovative solutions for the constantly changing needs and challenges of society. Plastics are comprehensive, durable and offer great potential to adapt to various needs. Plastics are unusual materials, inextricably linked with industry's and technology's development, innovativeness and science." says Jacek Szczerba, representing the Tworzywa.PL website.

All these challenges and changes will undoubtedly be discussed at 2024 Plastpol.

The upcoming Plastics and Rubber Processing Fair Plastpol is held from 21 to 24 May 2024.